In Memoriam

By Rick Legon
AGB President, 2006–2019

Judy Melly called us the other evening to share the sad news of the passing of Tom Melly. I am not sure how many people reading this memorial had the special opportunity to work with Tom; for those who did you probably concur that he was a special leader and colleague. For those who missed out on that opportunity, you kind of missed a rare treat. Let me share some personal reflections; joining some of my colleagues who also had that special opportunity.

While Tom came into my life as one of my some 20+ bosses who served as directors of the board of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB), it soon became evident that Tom was going to be a meaningful part of my professional life as well as my life beyond the job.

Tom, who came to AGB as a much respected board member and chair of the board of Hobart and William Smith Colleges, quickly and somewhat quietly—(his approach to being an effective board member) became a leader with the board. As chair of the AGB finance and investment committee, drawing from his years on Wall Street, Tom asked questions about AGB’s finances and led a more aggressive approach to current and long term financial planning. Tom was a leader in the association’s engagement with Commonfund, an organization established by an act of Congress to provide money management expertise across the not-for-profit sector. Of note: AGB was one of a few organizations that led the effort with the Congress to get that initiative across the finish line in 1972. But I digress.

Tom engaged in the growth of the association’s modest quasi-endowment funds and stewarded those dollars to a level where they allowed for some bold ideas that set the stage for a more energetic and courageous agenda. Tom was selected to serve as the association’s board chair in 2006 and a period of turbo growth and risk-taking was launched. Again, in his strong yet quiet manner, Tom actively supported some bold initiatives that helped to separate AGB from the more staid agendas of other higher education associations. Some of those initiatives resulted from Tom’s active engagement during a gathering of invited higher ed association leaders, institution leaders, and AGB consultants. It was a candid two days in Baltimore, at the start of my own tenure as AGB’s president, and we mostly didn’t like what we heard. One participant, a supporter, I believe, stated that AGB was a third tier association with little of note for which it was recognized. I was more than disappointed to hear the candid remarks (in front of our new board chair), yet that meeting became a stake in the ground for Tom as he prepared to assume leadership of the AGB board.

Rather than hang my head and wonder why I’d take the job, Tom declared that our goal should be—and I should be held accountable—to move from third tier to first, over some declared period of time. Tom challenged us, and he got the AGB board charged up to make some bold moves and to climb to the top. He only asked for a realistic and measurable plan. The staff heard the message that Tom advanced with the board and our path became clear. The following years were a whirlwind, and some of those who were with us in Baltimore and others have recognized AGB’s new standing. We worked hard to recognize Tom and the board he led with the trust and credit for giving us the tools to try. His contributions were through his support, advocacy, encouragement, and his very generous financial support—and he provided me with a shoulder to lean on. He trusted the staff and allowed us to go to work. Rather than default to micromanaging, he asked whether we had what we needed to get the job done. I know he brought the same quality of leadership and expectations to my friend, Mark Gearan, the president of Hobart. Mark and I have, at times, shared some Tom stories and reflected on Tom’s impact on his beloved alma mater and on AGB. Tom understood the scope (and the limits) of board leadership and he practiced it for all to follow.

Tom was a fun guy. Tom was a former marine (I learned from him that there really isn’t “former” in a true marine); his semper fi temperament was fun (and exciting at times) to witness. At a ballgame at Fenway Park: Red Sox v. Tom’s and my beloved Yankees, Tom was incensed when several large, young, and inebriated gentlemen weren’t giving appropriate respect during the playing of the national anthem. Tom was ready to jump into action—his anger only grew when these “fans” refused to sit down and were clearly and intentionally enjoying blocking our view of first base. Tom jumped from his seat and approached these rather large people—his marine background kicking in. Judy and Fran (my wife) looked at me to get some order to the emerging situation. Truth telling: I measure the potential for victory in a fight based on opponents’ size and age differential—I knew we were doomed if this went too far. With Tom getting in the “grill” of these several guys, I knew we needed to land a few quick and successful punches or find a quick exit strategy—we had a board meeting scheduled for the following morning and black eyes would raise some questions. I grabbed Tom and slow-walked him back a few rows to our seats to cool the situation. The Yankees won the game as best I recall and we escaped unscathed. Tom’s memory of that game was more about how we almost got into a brawl than how the game went.

Tom was also a fan of the outdoors. He teased me for many years about the name of the oversize horse I rode during a board gathering at a board meeting held in the Rocky Mountains. It was a bit of a friendly insult to my riding skills and to my horse, “Big Mama.” Not sure why, but Tom loved to tease me about that—in front of as many people as he could gather. And then he’d laugh aloud.

We always enjoyed attending Tom Melly and Judy parties and events—and over the years there were a number of joyous occasions. One thing I will always remember is how welcoming Tom’s and Judy’s family were at all of these fun and special events. And, Tom would always be his most joyful when with friends and family—and at a party.

I will always miss Tom Melly; he came into my life at a special moment and enabled me and others to do what we do. Can’t ask more of a board member and a friend than that. I have little doubt that as Tom settles into the afterlife that there is a party being scheduled and he’s smiling broadly—and just adding tons of value.

Rest well my friend.