The Carrigan Chair was created through a bequest by former MSU Board of Trustees member Dr. Patricia M. Carrigan, who was one of the first people to recognize MSU’s potential for advancing feline health and wellbeing. Carrigan stated that, “Public funds are rarely expended to help cats live longer and healthier lives. It’s up to us who care about the wellbeing of cats to see that there is a consistent, reliable source of funds to better their lives.” The bequest funds an endowed chair who will advance feline health and well-being and nurture the relationships between cats, their owners, and their care providers.

About Pat

Pat Carrigan spent her professional years as a school teacher, a clinical psychologist, and a manager and consultant in industry. She was the first woman plant manager for General Motors in the United States and the first woman elected to, and later to chair, the MSU Board of Trustees. Carrigan had a tremendous love and respect for cats from an early age. She was an MSU alumna with a passion for football, music, and cats. She became a noted collector of cat art and memorabilia. Her collection was willed to the MSU Museum and a portion of it is on exhibit at the College. She also wrote a series of children’s books that featured two stuffed cats as characters.

Past Carrigan Chairs

• Dr. Karen L. Perry
• Dr. John Kruger