A mission of generosity that lasted a lifetime and beyond

For decades, Mary Jo Dorn, MTS ’10, gave generously of her time, talent and treasure to the people and institutions she cared about, including the University of Dallas.

By Caitlin Bootsma, BA ’06

For decades, Mary Jo Dorn, MTS ’10, gave generously of her time, talent and treasure to the people and institutions she cared about, including the University of Dallas. A graduate, longtime volunteer and National Alumni Board member, Mary Jo remained deeply connected to UD throughout her life. Through a generous gift in her will, that commitment will continue to strengthen the university for future generations.

Mickey Dorn, her husband of 38 years, summed up Mary Jo’s mission in life in a simple, yet impactful way: “to support those who need help. If you have the ability to help, you should.”

Deep ties with UD

Mickey said that Mary Jo didn’t really make the choice to go to the University of Dallas as a freshman; her father made that choice, and she only ended up staying at UD for one year as an undergraduate. But later in her life, Mary Jo did make the decision to come back to UD again and again.

Mary Jo’s connection with UD began when she was a child, when her father, Frank McGehee, BA ’60, spoke at the very first University of Dallas Commencement as the valedictorian in 1960.

Indeed, in many ways, life alongside UD was her inheritance. Both her brothers attended and graduated from Cistercian Preparatory School next door; one even went to school with Abbot Peter. Mary Jo went to Ursuline, and then University of Dallas seemed like the natural next step.

Giving back to, and with, the Dallas community

Mary Jo married Mickey in 1985, but many years earlier she was a single mom of three working in customer service for the Horchow Collection (eventually bought out by Neiman Marcus). She was always good with people, Mickey said, a sentiment echoed by many throughout her life.

Mary Jo worked up the ladder, eventually leading the company’s mail-order customer service department. But she eventually tired of – in the words of her husband – "selling overpriced stuff to rich women.”

Her heart was in helping people who needed it.

Already a board member for Catholic Charities in Dallas, she changed jobs to work for them, eventually becoming their Director of Development. The job was a perfect fit for her, Mickey mentioned, because she knew so many people in the community – whether it was from her education at Ursuline, her familiarity with the Cistercians or elsewhere.

Her mission led her back to UD

With the help of Catholic Charities, Mary Jo considered going back to the University of Dallas for a business degree or similar. But when she really thought about it, she realized that her work was a ministry for her.

She believed that ‘people who have, should give’ and she was able to help them do that. “When she fundraised for Catholic Charities,” her husband explained, “that was her pitch. If you are able, then you should, at whatever level you are comfortable with.”

And so, she entered the Master of Theological Studies program at the University of Dallas. 

Mary Jo graduated in 2010, and her relationship with the university continued. Ignited by the mission of UD, she became involved with both the National Alumni Board and the Neuhoff Alumni Committee. 

A legacy that continues

Mary Jo passed away in 2023, leaving behind a legacy of what her obituary so beautifully called “a mission-driven life.” She was a mother of four, a grandmother, a mentor and a relentless social justice advocate. It was no surprise, then, that she and Mickey thought about their call to mission even beyond their lifetime.

“When we began putting our will together, we chose a few Catholic institutions that mattered most to us, and UD was one of them,” Mickey said. “Mary Jo understood through her own work in fundraising how much impact a legacy gift can mean to an institution, and she wanted her own legacy to help strengthen a place so closely connected to her family, her faith, and the community she loved.”

Beginning with her father’s participation in the very first University of Dallas graduation, through her years as a UD student, alumna, and volunteer, and now into the future with her planned gift, UD has always been a part of Mary Jo’s life and her commitment to giving of herself to her community.