The Park University Alumni Association’s Torchlighter Award recognizes a special person who has made a significant, long-standing contribution to Park students and alumni. The 2008 Torchlighter Award recipient is Virginia B. “Jinny” McCoy. Along with this honor, McCoy will also become an honorary alumna.

She has been a generous benefactor and friend to Park, giving both her time and financial support to the University. No stranger to volunteer work, she serves on numerous boards and committees throughout the Kansas City area and is responsible for many of their most successful projects. Park University is fortunate that she has chosen our mission as one of the causes she supports.

McCoy is a steadfast leader, serving 12 years on Park’s Board of Trustees in many capacities; including board chair during the 2005-2006 school year, vice-chair, chair of the University Advancement Committee for six years and serving on the Executive Committee and Trusteeship Committee. She also served on the search committee for the vice president of advancement. In 1997 she was chairman of Founders Day. In 2002 McCoy was co-chair of President Beverley Byers-Pevitts’ inaugural Founders Day, making significant increases in attendance and funds raised. She was co-chair of the Park University 2000 Millennium Campaign. During the past two years, McCoy has benefitted the Pirate Club, Park’s athletics booster club, with her visionary leadership, serving as its founding chair.

She continues to work diligently, tirelessly and selflessly to promote Park University and its athletic programs. She also is an honorary member of the Board of Trustees.

In addition to contributing her time, McCoy has invested into a strong Park future. She was responsible for the renovation of the McCoy Meetin’ House in 2002. Most recently, she gave a gift to support Park’s women’s golf program, marking the largest endowment gift commitment to any single program in the University’s athletic department. “To say that we appreciate this charitable donation to our women’s golf program would be an understatement,” said Claude English, athletic director at Park. “This generous gift will contribute to the continuing success of our newest program. Jinny has played a critical role in ensuring the well-being of athletics at Park University. She has shared her time, enthusiasm and her talents with us time and time again.”

The Park University Alumni Association members thank Jinny McCoy for her loyalty and support of their alma mater by inviting her to join their ranks, bestowing upon her the status of honorary alumna.