Remembering Nancy McManus
It is with great sadness that we share with you the news that Nancy McManus has died after a battle with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Nancy served as the National Administrator of Pi Sigma Alpha for over two decades, and in her time with PSA, contributed to the significant expansion and strengthening of the organization through her tremendous support of chapter advisors and student members, and her development of key Pi Sigma Alpha programs. Nancy was known for her impeccable organization and her determined advocacy on behalf of the organization. In 2014, Pi Sigma Alpha renamed its internship scholarship the Nancy McManus Washington Internship Scholarship in honor of Nancy, who had originally developed the program.
Below, Pi Sigma Alpha presidents and past presidents reflect on Nancy’s contributions to Pi Sigma Alpha and its success.
“Nancy was a great asset to this organization. Her patience in dealing with the hundreds of chapters, many of whom needed something yesterday, was extraordinary. And her ability to keep track of Pi Sigma Alpha’s many programs – and manage them effectively – was legendary. We are so fortunate she contributed so much to Pi Sigma Alpha, helping make the organization what it is today.” — Stephen Farnsworth, Past President
“Nancy was thoughtful, kind, and generous with her time. She represented Pi Sigma Alpha well, setting a standard for excellence within the organization. She enjoyed meeting Pi Sigma Alpha faculty advisors and always made them feel welcome at events. Nancy made key contributions to building Pi Sigma Alpha into a highly successful and well-regarded honor society.” — Rosalee Clawson, Past President
“Nancy was such a great resource for Pi Sigma Alpha. She was the main way most of us had contact with the organization and in that way was largely responsible (together with Jim Lengle) for the success of the organization over the time she was at Pi Sigma Alpha. She was always accessible, knowledgeable, helpful and generous, even when I was tardy with reports or slow in responding. She was great at helping us as we took over the Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics when it was at William and Mary, especially at the beginning.” — Ronald Rapoport, Past President
“Nancy McManus was a phenomenal woman. When I met Nancy, she was working part-time with Pi Sigma Alpha. I observed her as the organization grew, and I marveled at her ability to get so much done, with so little time. Nancy and Jim Lengle worked as a team to make Pi Sigma Alpha what it is today. She constantly sought out ways to make the organization better. Nancy was resourceful, welcoming, kind, and the consummate diplomat. Pi Sigma Alpha is better off today because of the contributions and foresight of Nancy. She was an inspiration to those who knew her.” – Alice M. Jackson, Past President
“Nancy worked at Pi Sigma Alpha when I was first a chapter advisor at Union College and when Union hosted the Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics. I so appreciated her helpfulness, efficiency, and friendliness, manifest in her direct communication with chapter advisors and also in response to my questions (so many questions!) as I grew into my chapter and journal advisor roles. In the years since, and as I got more involved in Pi Sigma Alpha’s national leadership, I learned about the many other ways that Nancy managed the organization and contributed in important ways to its development and growth. She nourished the organization internally as well as developed ties to other honor societies, leaving Pi Sigma Alpha much stronger than when she first joined us.” — Zoe Oxley, President
In lieu of flowers, Nancy’s family is requesting contributions be made to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in her name. You can find more details, and leave a message for her family here.