In memory and gratitude to Joy Burns

Dear DU community,
 
In our long history, the University has had few better friends than Joy Burns. Upon her passing in 2020, we mourned the loss of her fierce spirit and kind soul and continue to fondly remember the many ways she impacted our community.  
 
And now, with tremendous gratitude, I am pleased to announce that Joy’s support and influence will live on through a generous estate gift that will support the many priorities for which Joy advocated so passionately during her era of leadership. This gift, the largest in DU’s history, is a testament to the enduring legacy of Frank and Joy Burns at DU.
 
Joy left a lasting mark on this campus and on all who knew her. She was a tireless supporter of student achievement, particularly for women. From cheering on the women’s gymnastics team to her role as the first woman to chair DU’s Board of Trustees, Joy was a beloved and active member of the DU community.  
 
Her life story serves as an inspiration for us all. Read more about this transformative gift and the impact of her and Frank’s legacy in our dedicated newsroom story.  
 
We are deeply grateful for Joy’s visionary leadership, tremendous generosity and, most of all, her friendship and love for DU.  

Sincerely,

Jeremy Haefner
Chancellor