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Postlude


Julie Woodford

Remembering Jane Tunstall Lingo

The University lost a special friend Feb. 23 with the passing of Jane Tunstall Lingo, BA ’46. One of the first women invited to join the National Press Club in 1971, Jane was a trailblazer for women journalists and a dedicated alumna and long-term employee of The George Washington University.

For more than 60 years, Jane was an integral part of the GW community. She earned a BA in 1946. She returned to the University in 1956 as a staff writer in the Office of University Relations. By 1964, she was assistant director of university relations, a position she held until her death.

The daughter of Benjamin Harrison Lingo and Marie Tunstall Lingo, Jane resided in her family’s home in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Northwest Washington. Her father was a navy man, and her mother was director of Washington’s United Service Organization office.


Jane Lingo outside of Strong Hall in 1946

Jane immersed herself in the District. She volunteered with the American Red Cross, assisted the USO with various events, and was a member of the Junior League of Washington. She also served on the Adams Morgan Neighborhood Association. She worked for the Democratic National Committee in the office of the DNC Vice Chairman Margaret Price during several presidential campaigns and assisted with presidential inaugurations. She also was a board member of the YWCA of the National Capital Area.

At GW she also kept active. Additional clubs and honors include Phi Beta Kappa, Mortar Board, Pi Beta Phi sorority, the GW Hospital Women’s Board, the Faculty Women’s Club, and Columbian Women.

A member of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, she was a docent at Dumbarton House. She was an active supporter of Hillwood Museum and Gardens on Linnean Avenue, Blair House, the Washington National Opera, and the Shakespeare Theatre. She also was a member of the Sulgrave Club, a social and cultural club that worked to save the Wadsworth House on Massachusetts Avenue. Jane also was active with the First Church of Christ, Scientist on Euclid Street, N.W.


“In a world that often changes faster than we wish, Jane Lingo was a constant,” says President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg. “She truly loved this University and everyone engaged in it. And she served GW well, as a student, administrator, writer, trusted friend, and goodwill ambassador to the community. Her accomplishments were many, yet Jane would only and always celebrate the successes of others. Her positive presence will continue to be felt whenever and wherever friends and colleagues gather to share the joy of a well written book, a well performed play, a well spoken sentence, or a sunny day. I am proud to call Jane both colleague and friend and I miss her already. To borrow one of her favorite phrases, Jane, ‘we shall see you anon.’ ”