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Posted: Jan 23, 2024

Wellesley College Athletics Mourns Passing of Joy Renjilian-Burgy

Joy Renjilian-Burgy, was Wellesley Athletics' longtime Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR)
Joy Renjilian-Burgy, was Wellesley Athletics' longtime Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR)

Wellesley College Athletics joins the Wellesley College community in mourning the passing of Joy Renjilian-Burgy, Associate Professor Emerita of Spanish and longtime Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR). Joy passed away last week in Boulder, Colorado. She was 81.

The 2016 recipient of Wellesley's Linda K. Vaughan Award for Exceptional Service, Joy was a remarkable champion of our student-athletes. Like Linda Vaughan, Joy exemplified integrity and relentless passion in support of Wellesley's accomplishments in recreational and competitive athletics.

In 2011, Joy assumed the role of NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR), but she performed FAR duties long before that. She always understood the unique demands of being a Wellesley student-athlete and showed her support for every sport. She counseled student-athletes on balancing class work and athletic involvement, met with SAAC about their academic concerns, and provided invaluable insight on NCAA legislation and its potential impact on our students.

In 2015, the Athletic Department's Inspirational Award, presented at the annual end of year awards ceremony was renamed in Joy's honor as the Joy Renjilian-Burgy Inspirational Award. Joy took great pride in personally presenting the award to a "varsity student-athlete who had inspired others through athletics" each year. The honor will continue to be presented in Joy's honor, inspired by her example to work hard, fight hard and -- despite life's curveballs -- live each day to the fullest.

Even while Joy was facing serious health concerns, she still managed to get out and thrive on the excitement of athletics competition. Joy was a role model for us all for how to live life to the fullest, with spirit and courage.

Additional information from Joy's family on Memorial Services can be found on forevermissed.com.

Wellesley Athletics strives for excellence at the conference, regional, and national levels, while providing opportunities for students to achieve their potential and learn the values of discipline, leadership, critical thinking, and responsibility to oneself and others.