2015 KAUFFMAN AWARD PRESENTED TO
MARY ANNE CAVANAUGH
(Co-awardee with Laura Anderson)
Mary Anne Cavanaugh was born in Richmond, VA, the youngest of four children. The family moved to Aiken, South Carolina in 1953, where she graduated from Aiken High School. She attended Southern Seminary College in Buena Vista, VA –
an equestrian riding school. She also served as the youngest Whip of the Aiken Hounds at age thirteen,
and her interest in horses has continued throughout her life.
Mary Anne's career at USC Aiken began in 1982 as Administrative Assistant to then-Chancellor Dr. Robert
Alexander. She then moved on to Director of Special Events and later to Director of Conferences and
Continuing Education. In this last position, she served for nine years, steering the Academy for Lifelong Learning through
many logistical problems when scheduling courses, serving as the Academy Treasurer, and solving numerous
organizational issues with grace and humor. She kept the Board and Curriculum Committees on track and
offered historical perspectives that helped bring successful operations to this organization.
Mary Anne retired from USCA at the end of the 2014-2015 school year, but not before twice receiving the Classified Employee of the Year award at USCA.
In retirement you will find her making weekly visits to a nursing home in Johnston, SC to visit some residents, riding a horse in Hitchcock Woods in Aiken, walking her dogs, or serving on some committees at her church. She has two dogs, three children and two “perfect” grandchildren.
Mary Anne's career at USC Aiken began in 1982 as Administrative Assistant to then-Chancellor Dr. Robert
Alexander. She then moved on to Director of Special Events and later to Director of Conferences and
Continuing Education. In this last position, she served for nine years, steering the Academy for Lifelong Learning through
many logistical problems when scheduling courses, serving as the Academy Treasurer, and solving numerous
organizational issues with grace and humor. She kept the Board and Curriculum Committees on track and
offered historical perspectives that helped bring successful operations to this organization.Mary Anne retired from USCA at the end of the 2014-2015 school year, but not before twice receiving the Classified Employee of the Year award at USCA.
In retirement you will find her making weekly visits to a nursing home in Johnston, SC to visit some residents, riding a horse in Hitchcock Woods in Aiken, walking her dogs, or serving on some committees at her church. She has two dogs, three children and two “perfect” grandchildren.
Mary Anne Cavanaugh and her Family