By Adam Studzinski
EUREKA – Eureka College held a memorial service Wednesday for the wife of its most famous alum.
Nancy Reagan died Sunday at the age of 94.
Eureka President J. David Arnold said he’s mindful of the fact most of Eureka’s students were not born during the Reagan presidency.
“I will call on one more familiar name to our students of the many who have sung the praises about Mrs. Reagan,” said Arnold. “President Obama said on Sunday that Mrs. Reagan had, quote, ‘redefined the role of first lady.’”
Reagan visited the Eureka campus seven times during her life. In 2009, the college awarded her an honorary doctorate degree.
“To truly understand the life and legacy of Nancy Reagan, you have to remember that she was the graduate of a liberal arts college,” said Arnold. “So like Eureka graduates, she had the liberal arts background to be a lifelong learner and a critical thinker.”
Arnold will be in attendance Friday at Reagan’s funeral in California.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at adam.studzinski@cumulus.com.
