Dear Toreros,

It is with deep sadness that I share the news that Alice Bourke Hayes, PhD, who served as the University of San Diego’s second president from 1995 to 2003, passed away on Sept. 24, 2023. She was 85 years old.

She was born in Chicago to a proud Catholic family with roots in Ireland. A lifelong scholar, Dr. Hayes graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in biology from Mundelein College in 1959. She earned her Master of Science in botany from University of Illinois, Urbana, and went on to receive her PhD in biological sciences from Northwestern University, where she was a National Science Foundation Fellow.

Dr. Hayes had an enduring commitment to science, to students and to the universities she led, working as a professor at Loyola University of Chicago before serving as a dean, an associate academic vice president and then a vice president of academic affairs. Prior to taking the helm at USD, Dr. Hayes was the executive vice president and provost at St. Louis University.

She was known at the University of San Diego as a visionary. When she arrived at USD’s Alcalá Park in 1995, her vision was simple, yet grand — to help the University of San Diego reach its fullest potential. In her earliest days she made a list of what she wanted to accomplish and checked off goals as she met them. Eight years later, the list — tattered and worn — served not as a to-do list, but as more of a got-it-done list.

Upon her retirement, Dr. Hayes left a legacy at USD of robust academics, top-notch students who were dedicated to USD’s mission of service, winning sports programs, state-of-the-art buildings and a university well-positioned to hold its current post as the youngest private university in the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of the top-100 universities in the nation.

Dr. Hayes capped enrollment and, by doing so, raised the diversity, academic strength and overall quality of each class that entered USD during her tenure. She increased the number of professors at USD by 20% and set aside funding to support their academic needs and scholarly pursuits.

During her time as president, the university constructed many buildings and structures on campus, including the Missions Parking Structure, the Jenny Craig Pavilion, the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, Manchester Village, the West Parking Structure and the Donald P. Shiley Center for Science and Technology. Construction of the Degheri Alumni Center began under Dr. Hayes’ watchful eye and opened in 2004.

Opening the science center was a particular point of pride for the president, who remained a scientist to her core and a botanist at heart. With the precision of a scientist, she photographed and documented every plant on campus — and the greenhouse atop the roof of the Donald P. Shiley Center for Science and Technology was aptly named in her honor.

Dr. Hayes had a love of traveling and hopscotched around the world — to Greece, Germany and England, to Rome, South Africa, China and the former Soviet Union, as well as to Ireland, where she spent time in a house she built with her sisters in the tiny town of Lahardane, population 178.

In her final quote, in her final story in USD Magazine, Dr. Hayes said, “I leave feeling very excited about the things that are going to happen at USD.”

She was preceded in death by John, her husband of 20 years (1981), her parents (1980 and 1990), and her brother Jack (2017). She is survived by her sisters, Gerry (the late Bill) Taylor and Joan Bourke.

Alice Hayes was a brilliant, compassionate and kind leader who embodied all the values we hold dear at USD. Her impact on this university was immense and she will be sorely missed. I join the USD community in keeping her family, friends and loved ones in our thoughts and prayers. Dr. Hayes will be remembered in a special way at the 12:15 p.m. Mass on Thursday, Oct. 5, in Founders Chapel.

Peace,

James T. Harris III, DEd
President