Felicia Ausbury, senior associate director in Alumni Relations at Washington University in St. Louis, died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014, at her home in St. Charles, Mo., after battling cancer for more than a year. She was 42.
When Ausbury joined the Alumni & Development staff in 2009, she was responsible for leading a new group created to manage Regional Alumni Club Programs.
She and her colleagues developed and implemented strategic programming that has had a significant impact on the university’s ability to engage alumni and friends across the country.
In January 2011, she was asked to lead Class and University Programs, with responsibility for Founders Day and undergraduate class reunions.
She and her team successfully transitioned the 1st through 45th reunions to Thurtene Carnival weekend, while maintaining the tradition of celebrating the 50th reunion and older classes during Commencement weekend.
Under her leadership, participation in reunion programs by alumni and their families increased significantly.
“Felicia exemplified qualities we all aspire to: she was dedicated, hard-working, and passionate about supporting the mission of Washington University,” David T. Blasingame, executive vice chancellor for Alumni & Development, wrote in a letter to her colleagues.
“She demonstrated unfailing enthusiasm and a commitment to excellence in everything she undertook. Her work will have a lasting impact on Alumni & Development Programs.
“Perhaps most important, Felicia touched the lives of hundreds of alumni, volunteers and friends of the university — as well as everyone in Alumni & Development,” Blasingame continued.
“We are fortunate to have known her, and we are stronger because she was one of us. As we go forward, we can honor Felicia’s memory by striving to emulate the example she set.”
Ausbury earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1993 from State University of New York College at Plattsburgh and a master’s in industrial and organizational management in 1998 from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
A member of Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority, she served as executive director of the international sorority prior to coming to WUSTL.
A funeral mass was held Sept. 15 at Sts. Joachim and Ann Catholic Church in St. Peters, Mo.
Memorial contributions may be made to Annie’s Hope or to Washington University.
She is survived by her husband, Scott Ausbury, and their two daughters, Evie and Sara.