Son of Jan Maxwell accepts Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree

A memorial service was held last night in the Gaede stage to honor the life of alumna Jan Mawell who passed away earlier this year. Jan, a West Fargo native, attended MSUM starting in 1975 and earned starring roles in many university theatrical productions. She left MSUM to pursue an acting career on Broadway, earning critical acclaim and five Tony Award nominations.

Her husband, actor/playwright Robert Emmet Lunney, noted that it was appropriate to hold the memorial on the Gaede stage since Jan was in the cast of the theater’s first production.

Pres. Blackhurst, with the endorsement of the MSUM Faculty Association, presented the Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree to Robert and Jan’s son, William Maxwell Lunney.