Mignon Doran Passes

Mignon Doran funeral arrangements set

Mignon Louise McClain Doran, the artistic and stylish first lady of Morehead State University for nearly 23 years, died Tuesday afternoon at her Lexington home after an extended illness. She was 96.

Mrs. Doran had remained active as a musician and lecturer following her service to the University. Her husband of 70 years, former MSU President Adron Doran, died in 2001.

"The Commonwealth has lost a great citizen and Morehead State University has lost a great friend," said MSU President Wayne D. Andrews.

"Mrs. Doran enriched the lives of thousands of students during her 23 years on this campus. She was a grand and gracious First Lady."

Visitation will be held in Morehead at the Northcutt and Son Home for Funerals on Thursday, July 12, from 1 to 3 p.m. and in Lexington from
7-9 p.m. at the Milward Southland Funeral Home, 391 Southland Drive.

Funeral services will be conducted at the Milward Southland Funeral Home on Friday, July 13, at 2:30 p.m. with Brother Steve Johnson officiating. Graveside services will be conducted on Saturday, July 14, at Highland Park Cemetery, Mayfield, at 1 p.m. CST with Dr. Harvey Lynn Elder officiating.

Mrs. Doran is survived by a niece, Troy Burgess of Morehead, and two nephews, George Wyatt of Union and Joe McClain of Paris.

The Dorans were widely recognized for their joint efforts between 1954 and 1977 to change MSU from a single purpose college into a comprehensive, regional university. A residence hall complex was named in her honor by the MSU Board of Regents and she also was awarded an honorary doctoral degree and the 2001 Founders Day Award for University Service.

A native of Graves County and alumnus of Murray State University, she was the founder and first director of MSU's Personal Development Institute and served from 1962 to 1964 as the president of the Kentucky Federation of Women's Clubs. She was active in arts organizations at the state and local levels and raised money for the Girl Scouts and other non-profit causes.

Her work with youth and prison inmates brought her two national awards and recognition as "Outstanding Woman Kentuckian of the Year" by the Kentucky Young Democrats. She served 10 years as a member of the Governor's Commission on Children and Youth and as a member of the Board of Trustees of Pikeville College.

An accomplished organist, she performed throughout Kentucky, including 20 years at the Sweet 16 Boys Basketball Tournament in Louisville and Lexington. She was a member of the Church of Christ.

An endowed faculty chair in educational leadership in MSU's College of Education also honors the lives and careers of Mrs. Doran and her husband.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Adron and Mignon Doran Scholarship Fund, MSU Foundation Inc., Palmer Development House, Morehead, KY 40351.

Posted: 7-11-07 - http://www.moreheadstate.edu/news/release.aspx?id=18300