It is with deep sorrow Avila mourns the loss of one of its cherished alumna, long-time friends and supporter, Jean Buchanan. Jean was loved by everyone she met and had tremendous strength, wisdom, and perseverance.
“In this industry, there are so many people who make an impact across campuses nationwide. Jean was such a woman, and I am honored to have known her, to have worked with her and to call her a friend,” Jim Burkee, Ph.D. president of Avila University said. “We feel so fortunate we were able to honor her earlier this Fall. She will be missed dearly, and we offer our sympathies to her husband Bill and to their entire family.”
Jean lived much of her life in service with the dear neighbor, a founding principle of Avila University. During the recent ribbon cutting for the Buchanan Hall, named in Jean’s honor, Avila shared some of her accomplishments around justice and service.
In the late 60s, she went door-to-door in Kansas City neighborhoods seeking signatures for the Fair Housing Act. Not only did she go, but she also rallied a cadre of other supporters.
A few years after pounding the pavement for civil rights, Jean and her husband Bill took up the sport of running. Knowing first-hand the dedication and stamina that is required for distance running, Jean was disheartened that marathons were readily recognized as man’s sport. A movement was afoot to highlight the unrecognized ability of female runners. Being a tremendous athlete, Jean participated in marathons across the globe to bring awareness to- and support for- women’s marathon running. In 1981 the International Olympic Committee announced the women’s marathon would be included in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, and no doubt Jean’s efforts had a part in the inclusion.
Jean didn’t agree with the generally accepted standard— she thought they should be changed. And she found ways to not only share, but amplify, her voice for that change. In service with her neighbors, she affected change in a peaceful way. Through her examples Jean has proven advocacy can be achieved through peace and nonviolence. With that in mind, Jean and Bill initiated the Buchanan Initiative for Peace and Non-Violence at Avila. Through this program, Avila’s academic community, stakeholders and students work throughout the region to interrogate harms and injustices, elevate the voices of the marginalized, and apply methods for building positive sustainable relationships. The Initiative’s work is consistent with Avila University’s recognition of the “worth, dignity and potential of each human being” and its mission to educate “lifelong learners who make meaningful contributions to the global community.”
The loss of Jean will be felt on the Avila Campus; yet, her legacy will live on.
Visitation for Jean Buchanan will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 11 at Church of the Nativity in Leawood, Kan. Mass of Christian Burial begins at 11.