While recovering from recent surgery, Dorothy Pijan, director of Thwing Center and Student Activities, passed away at her home in Bratenahl on January 19.

Some of Case Western Reserve University's best-loved traditions, such as the Hudson Relays and the Student Leadership Awards Ceremony in April, have been established or have survived because of Pijan's enthusiasm for school traditions.

"She was a recognized leader in her field. Dorothy radiated personal warmth and was a wonderful colleague and friend," said Glenn Nichols, CWRU vice president of student affairs.

Just after CWRU completed renovations to Thwing Center and created a new student center by linking two historic buildings with a new atrium, Pijan became the center's director. Since 1982, she had her pulse on student clubs and activities and oversaw some of the campus' most important events in the past decades.

Along withactivities at Thwing Center, she also scheduled programs and events for the Rough Rider Room and The Spot, social rooms at the University's dining commons.

"Dorothy was passionate about college tradition and loved anything that brought faculty, staff and students together. She was instrumental in building Thwing Center into what it is today," said Colleen Barker-Williamson, associate director for programs at Thwing.

In addition to being an advisor for Golden Key Honor Society and chair of the Thwing Advisory Board, Pijan also co-established with Donald Laing from the classics department CRWUTones, a choral ensemble of faculty and staff which performed during the president's welcome at orientation. She also organized the annual faculty and staff talent show and every Saturday during football season could be found at The Spot serving hot dogs to family members of the football team.

"I've never seen anyone so committed to the University and Thwing Center," said Caseal Jordan Medley, associate director for operations at Thwing who came to CWRU shortly before Pijan and worked alongside her for 22 years. "She came to work early and stayed late. She was a hard worker who set high standards for all of us, and she set the example of the quintessential professional."

Pijan was born in Minneapolis, Minn. She earned her bachelor 's degree in music, master's degree in education and doctorate of education from Texas Tech University.

She started her career in education as a sixth grade teacher at the Lubbock Public Schools and launched her work with colleges and universities as a program director for Tech Union at Texas Tech University, followed by the directorship of the North Texas State University Union and Campus Activities and managing director of the union at San Francisco State University.

Pijan was an active member of the Association of College Unions International and held several offices, including regional representative, vice president of regional affairs, president and member of the executive board. She also was active with the National Association of Campus Activities and the Association of Community and University Concert Managers.

Pijan is survived by her husband poet b. f. maiz; their daughter, Michele; and a brother, Chuck of Minneapolis, and another son, Brett. She also had a son, Charles, who is deceased.

A campus memorial service will be conducted at 3 p.m. February 10 in the Thwing Center Ballroom.