QU Receives Largest Endowment Gift In Memory of John Mahoney

QUINCY, Ill. – Quincy University has announced a record-breaking gift to support student scholarships.

An anonymous donor has established the John Mahoney Scholarship for students majoring in the humanities with an investment of over $900,000. This donation has created the largest endowed scholarship at QU and is more than double the size of the next largest scholarship. Mahoney was a 1966 Quincy College, now Quincy University, graduate who rose to fame in the iconic role of Martin Crane on the NBC sitcom, “Frasier”. Mahoney passed away in 2018 at the age of 77.

“We thank our anonymous donor for creating such a generous and significant tribute to the life and accomplishments of one of our most beloved QU alumni, John Mahoney,” said Brian McGee, president of the university. “This large scholarship program will allow generations of future students to follow Mahoney’s path and to pursue excellence in the humanities. I am delighted that Mahoney can be honored in this way.”

Mahoney was born in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, on June 20, 1940, in the middle of the German blitz of England. He was the seventh of eight children born to Margaret and Reginald, a baker.

Mahoney immigrated to the United States in 1959, at the age of 19. After serving in the Army for three years, he enrolled at QU. After earning a bachelor’s degree in English, he went elsewhere to earn a master’s degree in English and begin a teaching career. Mahoney spent the next few years moving through various jobs including a teacher and an editor for a medical journal.

“John Mahoney was an inspiration in many ways. In his thirties, he left a secure job to take a huge leap of faith into acting. It turned out well, but the success he experienced was certainly not guaranteed,” said Patricia Sullivan-Viniard, Mahoney’s niece. “His actions remind us that it’s never too late to follow your dreams.”

Mahoney enrolled in acting classes at the St. Nicholas Theater and joined Chicago’s famed Steppenwolf Theatre in 1979, where he appeared in over 20 productions. In 1986, Mahoney won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance in the Broadway production of “The House of Blue Leaves”. Throughout his career, Mahoney acted in a number of plays, movies and television shows, but he is best known for his role in “Frasier”. Despite his rise to fame, Mahoney didn’t forget his humble beginnings or his love for his alma mater.

“John had wonderful, warm memories of Quincy University, and I think he left a little piece of his heart there,” said Viniard. “He always spoke highly of the faculty and staff who were so kind to him.”

Mahoney was a dedicated and loyal QU alum who never shied away from helping his alma mater. In addition to his financial support of the university over the years, Mahoney often appeared at alumni gatherings involving one of his many plays or productions. He was the 1989 Commencement speaker and received an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters. In recent years, he served as the honorary chair of the Forever Forward capital campaign that raised more than $25M for QU.

“We are so grateful to this kind and generous donor for paying tribute to John Mahoney’s love for Quincy University, and especially the Franciscans who helped him during his college years,” said Julie Bell, vice president for advancement.

Mahoney worked his way through college and often struggled to make ends meet. The Franciscan Friars noticed and helped in any way they could. Their care and generosity stayed with Mahoney throughout his life.

In a letter to fellow alumni, Mahoney wrote, “Quincy University prepared me for anything I ever wanted to do in my life. It gave me wide-ranging knowledge, which has formed a broad educational base for my work as an actor. Many schools talk about their values and their caring atmospheres, but I experienced it directly. I’m a better person for having attended Quincy University.”

Mahoney was a lifelong advocate for the humanities. His family knows he would be pleased and humbled to have a scholarship in his name that will help countless QU students.

“John’s family is thrilled at this gift to Quincy University in his name. We loved John and love QU,” said Viniard. “Throughout his life, John Mahoney quietly helped many people who were in need, so the scholarship program is a very fitting legacy.”

Founded in 1860 by Franciscan friars, Quincy University (www.quincy.edu) is a Catholic, co-educational, residential university offering undergraduate, graduate, and adult education programs that integrate liberal arts, active learning, practical experience, and Franciscan values. Quincy University’s intercollegiate sports are members of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference for men and women. For more information, please contact the Quincy University Office of Community Relations by calling (217) 228-5275.