REMEMBERING
MARY
VIRGINIA
TERRY
A GREAT FRIEND OF THE UNIVERSITY
Mary Virginia Terry , the devoted philanthropist and dear friend of the University passed away in Jacksonville on Oct . 29 at the age of 103 . Terry is the namesake for Jacksonville University ’ s Terry Concert Hall . The arts were just one of the countless causes she and her late husband C . Herman Terry supported throughout their lives .
A dedicated member of the Jacksonville University Board of Trustees from 1999 to 2005 , then again from 2007 to 2009 , Terry had as strong of an affinity toward Jacksonville University as we did for her . She received an honorary doctorate degree in Humane Letters from the University in 2003 .
“ Mary Virginia was an absolute original in every way and we will miss her terribly ,” President Tim Cost said . “ She was charming and thoughtful , generous and funny , full of such spirit . We honor her memory , as we do with other greats in the history of this university , from Fran Kinne to Bob Shircliff to Betsy Lovett . The Terry name will always hold a place of high honor on our campus and we are grateful for her warm friendship and many contributions .”
Terry ’ s generous contributions to the University allowed for a major renovation of Terry Concert Hall to include a new lobby , commissioned glass sculpture ,
expanded stage , finely tuned acoustics and premium lighting . The improvements to the space not only benefit Jacksonville University students , but also the area ’ s fine arts community , which utilizes the space she made possible .
Born and raised in Quitman , Georgia , she and her husband lived the majority of their lives in Jacksonville . After C . Herman ’ s passing in 1998 , Mary Virginia continued the charitable work she began with her husband .
The Terry name can be found across Jacksonville , a symbol of their generosity in countless corners of the community , especially in the arts , healthcare and education . Ascension St . Vincent ’ s , Mayo Clinic , Wolfson Children ’ s Hospital , the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens , the Jacksonville Symphony are among the organizations she ’ s graciously supported over the years . The Ascension St . Vincent ’ s Riverside ’ s Mary Virginia Terry Cancer Center was named in her honor .
The Terry ’ s philanthropy stretched into their home state of Georgia , too . In 1991 , in honor of their generosity to the University of Georgia , the business school was renamed the C . Herman and Mary Virginia Terry College of Business .
BY KATIE GARWOOD