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Â鶹´«Ã½ mourns the loss of Polly Mathys, a beloved educator, mentor, devoted supporter of Â鶹´«Ã½ Athletics and the arts, and faithful steward of our Franciscan values.

For thirty-four years, Polly dedicated her life to Â鶹´«Ã½ and to the success of our students. Serving as an assistant professor of Computer Information Systems from 1986 to 2020 and later as Learning Coordinator in the Academic Success Center, she helped shape the academic and personal journeys of countless students. 

Polly's impact also reached far beyond the classroom. Polly leaves behind a remarkable legacy of service to our broader community. As the founder of Â鶹´«Ã½'s Turkey Drive, she inspired a tradition that has provided Thanksgiving meals to thousands of local families over three decades. She was also the inspiration behind Angels in the Attic, which has grown into Clare’s Cupboard and continues to feed the campus community. Additionally, through Â鶹´«Ã½'s Alternative Break program, she found joy in serving others shoulder to shoulder with students, once reflecting that what she treasured most was "how we all take care of each other." For her dedication to service, she was honored with a Legacy Award. She's also known for her famous "Polly Trolley" at graduation.

Her love for Â鶹´«Ã½ Athletics became one of the hallmarks of her time at the university. What began with an invitation to attend a basketball game in 1993 grew into decades of enthusiastic support for student athletes. Polly served as the Faculty Athletics Representative. In recognition of her extraordinary commitment to the Golden Wolves, she was named the inaugural recipient of the Friends of Â鶹´«Ã½ Athletics Award in 2022. Even while facing her own journey with cancer, Polly continued to inspire those around her through her resilience, optimism, and unwavering commitment to others. In 2019, she was recognized as the honorary captain of the men's soccer team's annual Kicks Against Cancer match, a fitting tribute to her courage and the many lives she touched.

The family will be holding a Celebration of Life because Polly did not want a funeral—she wanted a party. In that spirit, those who knew and loved her are invited to gather in festive and loving remembrance, sharing stories, laughter, memories, and gratitude for a life well lived. Details will be posted along with opportunities to share your memories- .