March 7, 2022
Dear Bellarmine Faculty, Staff and Students,
I am writing to you this morning with the terrible news that Dr. Kevin Hansen, Chair and Associate Professor for Health Care Administration and Public Health, passed away on Sunday. I am in shock, as I am sure you are, too. We understand that he suffered a medical emergency while playing a team sport and passed away quickly.
Kevin came to our campus in 2019 and immediately made an impression, not only as a very capable and dynamic professor who was a leading scholar in his field, but also as a caring and thoughtful member of our community. He was incredibly kind, engaging and compassionate. Our community was fortunate to have his leadership in our elder care, health services and public health programs.
I have the good fortune to host dinners with senior students and I always ask them of influential mentors and faculty members. Dr. Hansen’s name was mentioned frequently. That he made such an impression on so many of us when most of his time here was during the pandemic – when being together as a community was challenging – speaks to his friendly and outgoing nature. His impact over such a short tenure will not be forgotten and his legacy will live on in the students and alums he mentored and in the programs he helped to create.
Below my message, please read a reflection about Dr. Hansen from his colleague, Dr. Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty, president of our Faculty Council.
Today until 5 p.m., Hillary’s will be open, with personnel from the Counseling Center and Campus Ministry available to meet with students. Refreshments will be available. You may also reach out to them – call 502.272.8480 for the Counseling Center or 502.272.8051 for Campus Ministry. Additionally, the Assisi Pride Network, of which Kevin was a member, will meet at noon today in the Fireplace Room. Faculty and staff members seeking counseling or support can use our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which provides free, confidential counseling services to you and your household. You can call 502.589.4357 to reach the EAP.
We will hold a prayer service to mourn the loss of Dr. Hansen on Thursday, March 10, at 3 p.m. in Our Lady of the Woods Chapel. Beyond this week, we will look for appropriately meaningful ways to honor his contributions to our campus.
As we mourn the loss of Dr. Hansen, we extend our condolences to his family and friends as well as the members of our campus community who knew him well. Please take care of yourself and each other during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Susan M. Donovan, Ph.D.
President
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“Kevin Hansen emerged as a leader on our campus on the Faculty Council and made an impressive and lasting impact in a very short period of time. One of the things that I will remember about Kevin is how he let his intuition be his guide. There were several times this year that he stopped by my office to offer me a fist bump or words of encouragement. I heard him outside a classroom where I taught in Miles doing this time and time again for colleagues. He affirmed people on a daily basis for their gifts and uplifted others amidst many challenges. Kevin tried to find ways to help others succeed. I am grateful for the way he increased our life together. His wit, wisdom, and humor shined among us like the sun. Kevin will be deeply missed.”
Dr. Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty, Professor of Theology and Faculty Council President