50 Years: Doherty Library’s Golden Moments and Doherty Family Carries on Doherty Library Legacy

Social Gathering
Thursday, November 10, 2022 from Noon to 2 pm 

Main Lobby in Doherty Library

 UST President Richard Ludwick
“History of Doherty Library and Future Plans”

Doherty Family Carries on Doherty Library Legacy

Doherty family members gathered in late March for a luncheon in their honor at the Link Lee Mansion to learn firsthand about the exciting upcoming renovations to UST’s Doherty Library. It was a reminder of 1972 when an enthusiastic crowd, including benefactors Ada Mary and Robert Pace Doherty, were on hand to dedicate the Doherty Library. Mr. Doherty served as a member of the UST Board of Directors from 1956 to 1979.   

The two-story, low-slung library building sits at one end of the longitudinal axis of the Academic Mall. The Mall itself represents the nature of a Catholic university. The Doherty Library at the University of St. Thomas is a bastion of Divine and human wisdom, second only to the Chapel of St. Basil. These two buildings are the pillars of the University of St. Thomas, serving intentionally to anchor all spiritual, educational, community, and extracurricular activities across our campus in both faith and reason. At the other end of the axis is the Chapel of St. Basil dedicated to the worship of God and the celebration of the Catholic faith. 

After lunch, the group gathered on the mansion’s porch for a celebratory photo in anticipation of the next 50 years of the library’s benefit to the University of St. Thomas community and the Doherty family’s continuing vision of providing access to knowledge and educational programming.

“The Doherty family is extremely proud of the University of St. Thomas and our Doherty Library,” Madelyn Doherty Farris, a longtime friend and philanthropic supporter, said. “The library will celebrate its 50th anniversary in November. It was built with our father’s love for the University of St. Thomas and to honor his dearly beloved mother and father, Ada Mary and Robert Pace Doherty. We hope that the library will always be the heart of the University, a place to gather and a place where faith and reason come together.”   

Pictured back row (L to R): Dawn Koenning, Dick Rogers, George Farris, Dr. Richard Ludwick, Michael Doherty, David Doherty, Casey Doherty and Matt Perkins; Pictured front row (L to R): Marilyn Doherty, Patricia Armstrong, Madelyn Farris, Chrissy Doherty, Kathleen Rogers and Julie Doherty