Making a Difference Today for Tomorrow

Jane Kay Nugent '48

From a young age, Jane Kay Nugent ’48, knew she wanted her life to make a difference.

As a woman in the male-dominated field of business, she did just that, breaking glass ceilings at Detroit Edison, donating treasure and talent as a philanthropist and volunteer, and advocating for equal employment opportunities for all.

Her efforts toward that end will continue for many years, thanks to her significant bequest to University of Detroit Mercy, which will be used to endow the Jane Kay Nugent Chair in the College of Business Administration. The bequest will also fund the Jane Kay Nugent Endowed Scholarship established years ago at Detroit Mercy. Women applicants are to be given preference for both endowed funds.

A recognized pioneer among women executives in metro Detroit, Nugent received her Bachelor of Science degree from University of Detroit. She went to work for Detroit Edison, where she proved her acumen and skill over many years. Her hard work was rewarded in 1982 when she became the first woman to be named vice president of administration at Detroit Edison, one of the top positions at the utility. She held that position until she retired in 1990. All the while, she volunteered tirelessly for many organizations, including the Children’s Home of Detroit, the Women’s Economic Club, United Way and the St. John Hospital Foundation.

“I wanted to improve opportunities for women,” says Nugent, who lives in the Detroit area. Her tireless efforts did not go unnoticed. She has a number of awards from organizations honoring this work. In 1988 she was inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame.

Nugent also is a member of Detroit Mercy’s College of Business Administration Hall of Honor. She received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Detroit Mercy in 2013 in recognition of her leadership, accomplishments and commitment to others.

The University holds a special place in Nugent’s heart for many reasons, and that’s why she has been so generous to it. “Its values and the philosophy of a Catholic university have been important for me,” she said. “And, of course, the associations and friendships that started there have been important personally and professionally. University of Detroit Mercy prepared me not only for a career but also for life.”

To learn more about how you, like Jane, can make a bequest or other planned gift to Detroit Mercy, contact Teri Carroll at (313) 993-1262 or carroltl@udmercy.edu.