Ann Bolger will be missed for her innovation, her contributions to MSU and her love for students, members of the university community say.

Bolger, MSU’s director of Residence Life, died Tuesday morning from unknown causes. She was 43.

According to an Ingham County Medical Examiner report, Bolger woke up moaning early Tuesday morning. Her son discovered her and she was taken to Lansing’s Sparrow Hospital, where she died at about 8:30 a.m.

The news came as a shock to those who knew Bolger, said Lee June, vice president of Student Affairs and Services.

“To our knowledge she was fine,” June said Tuesday. “She was into work yesterday until 6 or so. There was no evidence of problems.”

Bolger came to MSU from the St. Paul, Minn.-based Macalester College, were she also served as a director of Residence Life, in July 1999.

During her 18 months at MSU, June said there is no question that she benefited students on campus.

“She was very visionary,” June said. “She understood change and how to bring it about. She really loved students and Residence Life. It’s going to be an extremely big loss both personally for the institution and for higher education.”

Bolger was responsible for transforming the resident assistant program into the mentor program earlier this year, and she was in the process of restructuring central staff in Residence Life.

She also worked to bring a scholarly approach to the department and last summer she convened a summit to look at residence life nationwide.

June said Bolger was working on three core areas for mentors, which included teaching multiculturalism, ethical decision-making and student learning.

“She brought a new framework that we thought students needed,” June said.

Other administrators agreed that Bolger was a integral part of the university. MSU President M. Peter McPherson said he greatly appreciated her work.

“She was doing an extraordinarily good job with students and working to have the residence halls be an especially strong experience for students,” he said. “The university community will deeply miss her.”

Those who worked with Bolger said her “positive energy” and contributions to MSU make her irreplaceable.

“She brought a tremendous energy, new ideas and a great sense of humor,” said Cindy Helman, an assistant director of Residence Life. “I think everyone is deeply affected but truly committed to going forward the way Ann would want us to.”

Bolger also helped bridge the gap between Residence Life and the Residence Halls Association, said Jim McEvoy, RHA internal vice president.

He said Bolger always made herself available and guided RHA “professionally.”

Mentors who Bolger affected directly said her dedication will be missed. Gina Palmeri, a senior mentor in Wonders Hall, said all mentors have suffered a great loss.

“I think she was very approachable and she was always present and very visible to our staff,” she said.

Nancy Lange, who also worked with Bolger, said the Residence Life director was in the process of completing her doctorate at the University of Michigan. Lange, an assistant director of Residence Life, said Bolger, a single parent, had a wonderful relationship with her 14-year-old son.

Her son, Nicholas, attends Haslett High School.

Lange called Bolger a “devoted, spectacular mom.”

Bolger’s family plans to establish a memorial scholarship fund in honor of the Residence Life director. A memorial service is being planned, but details have not been announced.

Nicole Jacques can be reached at jacques9@msu.edu