Skip to main content


Repost Message
will copy the article into draft mode and enable you to edit/change dates and information.
Do not change the dates
of this posting because it will affect the original.

MCC Daily Tribune

Associate Professor Emeritus John Owen, Visual and Performing Arts

Members of the college family mourn the loss of Associate Professor Emeritus of Communication John Owen. Associate Professor Emeritus Owen passed away on June 21, 2021 at the age of 74.

An obituary is anticipated but not yet published. A link will be added to this article as soon as it becomes available.

According to colleagues, memorial services will be held 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, July 11 and Wednesday, July 14, at Associate Professor Emeritus Owen’s former home at 299 Caroline Street, Rochester.

Associate Professor Emeritus Owen earned a master of arts degree in speech communications and human relations and a bachelor of science degree in education from the University of Kansas. He began his MCC career as an instructor in MCC’s Department of Speech & Theater in September 1971. He was an engaged leader throughout his career, serving as chair of the Speech & Theater Department that evolved into Art/Communications/Music and, ultimately, the Visual and Performing Arts Department (VaPA). He was an active member of the Faculty Association, having served as Grievance Chair and as a member of the Goals & Strategies and Social committees.

He also contributed to the success of colleagues as a manager of faculty development under MCC’s Institutional Advancement Office. He will be remembered for welcoming and supporting new hires and adjunct faculty members.

According to VaPA Chairperson Lori Moses, Associate Professor Emeritus Owen “was dedicated to MCC with decades in the classroom teaching Speech Communication, and two terms as Department Chair, he then continued his service as an adjunct upon his formal retirement. In recent years, John became a dedicated student taking a variety of classes throughout the College but always including music in his schedule, as John was devoted to choral music. A former member of the Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus, he was an eager member of the MCC Chorus, participating in concerts and traveling to New York City to sing at Carnegie Hall. John’s commitment to the College, and the music program, went beyond his participation as he was a primary benefactor in the creation of special use funds for the program."

He retired in January 2002 at which time MCC Trustees bestowed upon him the rank of associate professor emeritus to honor his outstanding service to the college.

He will be deeply missed by friends, colleagues and his former students.

DeAnna Burt-Nanna
Office of the President
07/09/2021