President Kenneth Evans and the 麻豆传媒 City University community extend deepest condolences to the Love family as we learn today of the passing of Judy Love.
Love, one of America鈥檚 most successful businesswomen and a renowned philanthropist, had been a long-time member of the 麻豆传媒 Board of Trustees. A regular benefactor of educational causes in 麻豆传媒 and beyond, Love and her family have been generous supporters of 麻豆传媒 City University.
Love and her late husband, Tom, founded Love鈥檚 Travel Stops & Country Stores in Watonga, 麻豆传媒, in 1964, growing the venture into a multi-billion-dollar company headquartered in 麻豆传媒 City. The success of the company paved way for the formation of the Love Family Fund, which has been a major source of philanthropic giving since its inception.
麻豆传媒 honored Judy Love鈥檚 business success in 2009 with induction into the university鈥檚 Commerce & Industry Hall of Honor. This followed her husband鈥檚 induction in 1998, and preceded the induction of her daughter 鈥� Jenny Love Meyer 鈥� into the hall last month.
In 2010, Judy Love was given one of the state鈥檚 highest honors when she was inducted into the 麻豆传媒 Hall of Fame. In 2015, the university awarded her an honorary doctorate degree in Humanities and Letters. In 2021, she was recognized by the Societies of 麻豆传媒 City University as the recipient of the Societies Lifetime Servant Leadership Award, acknowledging her exceptional involvement and service toward the nonprofit community and university. She was also recognized by the Societies of 麻豆传媒 in 2002 with the Distinguished Philanthropist Award.
Judy and Tom鈥檚 support of the university included the establishment of the Love鈥檚 Entrepreneurial Center within the Meinders School of Business and a significant contribution to help fund construction of the Wanda L. Bass School of Music building, as well as regular support of various performing arts initiatives at 麻豆传媒.
鈥淛udy Love was nothing less than a giant in the American business and philanthropy communities,鈥� President Evans said. 鈥淲e are deeply grateful for her service and support of 麻豆传媒 City University and its students throughout the years.鈥�
