Alumni and Friends Turn Out to Honor Pat Kirby

Approximately 150 alumni and friends gathered at Westminster on Monday, Dec. 14 for a reception to honor Pat Kirby. Sharing memories from Pat’s 41 years of service to Westminster, guests wished him well as he prepares for retirement at the end of 2015. Another reception will be held during Alumni Weekend, April 22-24, 2016.

Click the photo below to scroll through photos from the event. Also below, see remarks shared by President Akande.

Pat Kirby: The Legacy of a Westminster Man

Comments by President Akande on December 14, 2015, Backer Dining Hall

Thank you for joining us this evening to honor a legend at Westminster who for the past 41 years has been the college’s unofficial ambassador of good will and has charmed students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, visitors, and even complete strangers with his charismatic personality. The only other Westminster figure who has worn as many different hats in our history as Pat Kirby is Mr. Westminster himself, Jack Marshall.

In planning this event, we heard from many members of the Blue Jay nation who could not be here this evening but all send Pat their best wishes.

The best way to describe Pat’s contributions to the college is exemplified in this story:

Trustee Heather Biehl tells a story of coming back to campus from a cross country meet in Kansas City with her roommate only to find that every piece of their furniture and wall decorations had been moved out of their room by their friends and into the lobby of Wetterau Hall. It was a prank, and since it was late, they put on their pj’s and climbed into the beds in the lobby. But as luck would have it the Trustees were on campus that weekend and Pat was trying to get more money to address the overcrowding issue and make needed repairs in the women’s dorms.

So at nine on Saturday morning, he walks into the lobby of Wetterau Hall with 20 trustees in suits on an inspection tour. He takes one look at the two girls still in bed and without missing a breath, tells the Trustees: “As you can see, some of our finest students are even forced to use the lobbies as their rooms due to space constraints.” The appalled Trustees authorized the funding immediately.

Professor Wayne Zade can’t believe Pat is retiring. He says Pat still looks like a college frat boy.

Westminster college historian and professor emeritus, Bill Parrish relates that Pat’s hiring as Dean of Student Life came about in a unique way. After the former Dean Dick Ault moved onto other things, then Westminster President Purcell was offered to piggy back on another dean search at Berry College in Georgia where he was a member of the board.

Pat was the runner-up for that position there, and Purcell hired him on the recommendation of a friend. According to Professor Parrish, that was one of the best decisions President Purcell ever made.

Professor Dave Collins shared with me that when Pat first arrived on campus from San Diego and the Semester at Sea program, Dave thought he was one of those trendy California boys with his burgundy slacks, white belt, and white shoes. Nowadays, an outfit like that would land you in a retirement home, but he soon found out that Pat was just as down to earth as you could be.

Everyone we talked to about Pat speaks of his phenomenal ability to learn the names and hometowns of all students who passed through the columns in his tenure at Westminster. This is particularly amazing when you stop to think of all the difficult names that have been on the rolls over the years, and more astonishing, the sheer number of people—literally in the thousands.

Professor Bob Hansen remembers Dean Kirby’s relentless search for illegal beer kegs at fraternity parties. In 1986, the college banned kegs from the houses. From that point on, Pat became the enforcer—his job was to find the illegal contraband and to hand out thousand dollar fines to the guilty fraternities.

During this time period, Pat also took on the role of interim baseball coach.

Obviously, he was a better dean of student life than a baseball coach. The win/loss record had more losses than wins.

Trustee Greg Richards remembers when he was president of the Delts, they had one member who was constantly breaking the rules and misbehaving.

But every time he did, his father, who owned a landscaping business, would come and fix up the house. So the chapter would relent and let his son stay.

One day Greg had had enough and literally dragged the young man up the hill to Pat’s office. Not only did Pat support him, but was instrumental in getting the student thrown off campus.

In 1995 Pat was moved to the position of Director of Alumni and Parent Relations, where he was able to build a great program reconnecting with all the students who had loved him over the past 20 years and were now alumni. Professor Bob Seelinger remembers how Pat turned that office around through his enthusiasm and hard work when it had been struggling previously because of staff turnover.

In 1999 all of Pat’s previous experience prepared him to take on the role of Dean of Enrollment Services. Alumnus Donald Wood shared with us that:

“Pat’s love for the college is exemplified in how he treated my parents from my first day as a Westminster college freshman. He welcomed them into the WC family just as he did any new student. Because for Pat, this is his family.

Like no other member of the Blue Jay nation, he makes sure all Westminster stakeholders—whether current or former students, parents, donors, or the Fulton community—are welcomed.

Pat was always there to welcome them with open arms and that magnetic smile.”

Donald also gives much credit for Pat’s success to the lady he calls “Pat’s rock and the best thing that ever happened to him.”

He refers to her as “a saint of a woman and the glue that keeps Pat’s chaotic life together.” This lady, of course, is none other but Mrs. Lucy Kirby.

Then there is the story of how Pat got the nod for his last position, Director of International Student Recruiting. When asked if he spoke many languages, Pat nodded and said “three: American, English, British English, and Pig Latin.” An acquaintance told him about the United World College, and Pat built an excellent relationship with them, forging the way for the rich diversity we have on campus today.

Over these past few years, Pat has been a remarkable spokesperson about Westminster’s promise. He energized prospective students, nurtured them after they got here, and maintained strong and supportive relationships with them after they left.

It’s abundantly clear that Pat Kirby is universally loved and respected. He represents the best of Westminster, and it is certain that he will be missed. However, even though he may not be on the payroll anymore, I am confident we have not seen the last of Pat, and I told the bookkeeper to watch out for bi-monthly withdrawals in Pat’s name—

On a serious note, Pat’s love for this college will keep drawing him back … and so, we wanted to find a way the Blue Jay nation could show our appreciation for his many years of dedicated service.  With that in mind, I am pleased to announce tonight the establishment of the Patrick Kirby scholarship fund. This new scholarship will provide any student with financial need the support necessary to obtain a life-changing Westminster education. I can think of no finer tribute to the man who has helped countless young men and women find success at Westminster over the past 41 years.

Trustee Heather Biehl said it best that: “Pat was born with a heart three sizes too big, and he has filled it up to the brim with love for all of his ‘Westminster kids.’ Pat, all of us love you right back. Congratulations.”

Great institutions are not made of bricks and mortar. They are made of the people who come and give them life. It is through their love and passion that institutions are able to live forever.

Pat Kirby will never be forgotten, he touched the lives of so many people. He remembered their names.

He challenged us not to be content with things as they are. His legacy lives in our hearts now and forever more.

For more information on the Pat Kirby Scholarship Fund, please contact Kari Davidson, Director of Development, at kari.davidson@westminster-mo.edu or 573-592-5020.