Retired UL Student Life Dean Mary Olive McPhaul Passes Away

LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL) -- A former long-time dean at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette has passed away. According to the university, Mary Olive McPhaul died Tuesday evening at around 6:30 p.m.

McPhaul retired from UL in July 1991 after nearly 35 years of service to the university. She started in 1957 as an associate dean of women, then dean of women, then coordinator and administrator of the department of student personnel, then finally, the dean of student life, the post she held until her retirement.

The Rose Garden, a courtyard between residence halls on UL's campus, is dedicated after her.

"Dean McPhaul, as many called her, was a second mother to thousands of young people, including me," says Dr. Joseph Savoie, President of UL. "She was firm yet gentle, always expecting and encouraging the best of us and tapping us back into the proper lane whenever we wandered."

"She was a beautiful and wonderful lady, a perfect role model and a loyal friend. Thank God for Mary Olive McPhaul," Savoie says.

Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either First Baptist Christian School, P. O. Box 3888, Lafayette, LA 70502 or University of Louisiana at Lafayette Foundation, P. O. Box 44290, Lafayette, LA 70504.