The friendly face of NPRE for students for over 20 years, Catherine A. Pritchard died Sunday, January 20, 2013, in Savoy, Illinois.
“Catherine always had time to help you, no matter how busy she was,” said NPRE alumnus Mike Giacobbe, BS 91, MS 95, PhD 99. “She was truly selfless, putting the support of students and faculty above any personal interests. Her individual passion will be missed, but will continue on in all of us that were impacted by her.”
Catherine Pritchard, far right, standing with her husband, Bill, and alumni, Terrill and Debbie Laughton, far left, and Mike and Catherine Giacobbe at the NPRE 2010 Honors Banquet.
As departmental secretary, Pritchard made such an impression upon Giacobbe and his friends, including alumni Terrill and Debbie Laughton and Bill Myers, that soon after earning their degrees, they banded together to raise funds for the Catherine Pritchard Undergraduate Scholarship, the first undergraduate award within NPRE. Established in 2000, the scholarship is presented to a student who has shown academic ability and activities leadership during his or her first three years, and is to be used during the senior year of study. So far, about 20 students have been honored with the Pritchard Scholarship.
"Along with everyone receiving this information, we are deeply saddened by the passing of Catherine Pritchard," the Laughtons said. "Catherine’s contributions to NPRE department did not come from the traditional measures or metrics that are often used in the academic setting. She didn’t perform research or teach classes, but somehow she managed to touch the lives of everyone associated with the department from the first year student to the most tenured professor. Catherine genuinely cared for all us in a way that made the department feel much more like a family. Catherine ensured that we, as students, knew about every opportunity to improve our academic experience. Catherine's diligence allowed many students to apply for and receive scholarships, internships, and career opportunities that many of us would have missed if not for her guidance. But most importantly, she was always there for all of us. She was cheering us on when things were going well and cheering us up when they were not. Her impact on our careers and personal lives will far outlive the time for which we were all blessed to have known her."
“Catherine will be greatly missed by students, faculty and staff,” said NPRE Emeritus Prof. Barclay Jones, who was NPRE Department Head and Pritchard’s boss for many years. “She provided such dedicated support for all of us! Her care and concern combined to make a smooth transition to college life, particularly for freshman and international graduate students. The undergraduates were so appreciative that they created a fellowship in her name, providing long time remembrance. This is truly a well-deserved honor.”
Said current Department Head Jim Stubbins, “Catherine was always the person who conveyed the sense of family in the NPRE family. We are very proud of the efforts of the students who knew her to establish a lasting memorial of her contributions in the form of her Scholarship fund. We will miss her, but her spirit will live on.”Former NPRE Department Head Barclay Jones presenting Catherine Pritchard a certificate commemorating 20 years of service to the university.
Pritchard was so highly regarded that she also was honored with the Chancellor’s Distinguished Staff Award in 1994. She retired from NPRE in 1997.
The youngest daughter of Mary (Cain) McKeon and Henry McKeon, Pritchard was raised in rural Champaign County. She graduated from Unity High School in Tolono, Illinois, and took her typing skills to the University of Illinois' secretarial pool.
She met and married William A. (Bill) Pritchard in 1957 and the couple made their home in Champaign, then later settled in Savoy, where they raised three children, Jane Guido (Scott), Sue Danielson (Darwin), and Bill. Catherine and Bill Pritchard marked 54 years of marriage in 2011, prior to Bill's death.
She enjoyed traveling, music and playing the piano. She was a true sports fan and rarely missed an Illini football or basketball game, or Chicago Cubs game. Pritchard was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and friend who will be deeply missed, but memories of her will be cherished by those who knew and loved her.
