Family Ties - The Meehan Family

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Family Ties - The Meehan Family

The Meehan Family stand with President Laura Casamento.

The Meehan Family poses in front of the newly dedicated John and Betty Eisengrein Meehan Conference Room. From left to right: Kathy Angelucci, Sue Smith, Betty Meehan, Laura Casamento, and Dan Meehan.

Though he passed in June of 2021, John and Betty’s contributions, their legacy, and their dedication to making Utica University a better place live on.

The son of Irish immigrants, John was extremely proud of his heritage. A lifelong resident of Utica, he loved his community and was a dedicated member and servant of it, with roles throughout the year on numerous boards and organizations

In the 1950s John served in the U.S. Army and after his service, returned to his hometown and with the help of the G.I. Bill, earned a bachelor’s degree in Business from then-Utica College. He put the business acumen he sharpened at Utica to great use as the owner of a State Farm Insurance Agency, and in 1957 he married Betty Eisengrein – a blessed union of more than 63 years.

Long after John graduated, he and Betty remained vibrant and active participants in the Utica University community.

Together, their generous support for the University through the Pioneer Society, the Oneida Square Society, and other initiatives helped to put a top-tier education from Utica University within reach of even more students and potential leaders of tomorrow. Among their numerous legacies is the John and Betty Eisengrein Meehan Scholarship, established in 2010, to provide financial assistance to full-time, first-generation students from Utica’s Cornhill area.

And it’s not just their long history of philanthropy that has cemented their legacy at Utica. They were just as generous with their time. John, a dedicated member and former Chairman of the Utica College Foundation Board, was a longstanding member of the Utica University Board of Trustees as well. In 1988 John received the University Key Award, and in 2008 he was recognized with the Outstanding Alumnus Award as well as a Pioneer Legacy Award in 2013.

And though he passed in June of 2021, John and Betty’s contributions, their legacy, and their dedication to making Utica University a better place live on.

John’s wife, Betty, their son Dan Meehan, as well as their daughters Kathy Angelucci and Susan Smith were onhand June 15 for the dedication of the John and Betty Eisengrein Meehan Conference Room, located in the Cynkus Family Welcome Center, a symbol of the family’s fellowship and commitment to higher education as well as John’s lasting legacy.