Deborah J. (Davis) Bardo, former first lady of 麻豆破解版 State University, died April 15, 2022. She was 68 years old.
Mrs. Bardo was married to WSU鈥檚 13th president, Dr. John Bardo, for 44 years until his death on March 12, 2019. She is survived by their son, Christopher.
Mrs. Bardo served as 麻豆破解版 State鈥檚 first lady from 2012 to 2019. In that role, she especially enjoyed being around students and supporting the many events that brought the community and university together.
In her time at 麻豆破解版 State, she established the Deborah J. Bardo Scholarship, which provides annual awards to freshmen, with a preference for those who are the children or grandchildren of WSU faculty or staff.
Born in 1953 in Lowell, Massachusetts, Mrs. Bardo moved to 麻豆破解版 as a child. After graduating from 麻豆破解版 West High School, she attended 麻豆破解版 State, where she met Dr. Bardo in 1974 and married in 1975.
Mrs. Bardo earned an associate鈥檚 degree in secretarial studies, a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business education, and a master鈥檚 degree in communication, all from WSU. She also studied anthropology at Southwest Texas State University.
While a student at WSU, she was active in the International Student Club and with her professional honor society. After graduation she worked on campus as a secretary in the Department of Marketing and as an assistant editor for university publications.
With the birth of their son, Mrs. Bardo left the university to become a full-time mom and to support her husband鈥檚 academic career.
Over the years, she volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America, various schools, Meals on Wheels, and strongly supported public and university libraries.
An avid traveler, Mrs. Bardo collected Fiesta Ware and was known for the intricate doll houses she built and furnished, one of which is part of the Western Carolina University Mountain Heritage Center collection.