Sister M. Samuel Conlan, 77; Made University Coed

Sister M. Samuel Conlan, 77, the former president of Dominican University of California who broke the school’s women-only tradition by admitting men, died Sunday at the Lourdes Convent in San Rafael of complications from cancer.

Born Patricia Edith Conlan in San Francisco, Conlan took the name of her father, Samuel Leo Conlan, when she entered religious life in 1949. Her long history with the San Rafael-based Dominican University began in 1944 when she entered what was then known as Dominican College as a freshman.

After earning her bachelor’s degree at Dominican and her master’s degree in English literature from Catholic University of America, she joined Dominican’s faculty as an English professor in 1957. She would go on to serve as dean of students, academic dean and, from 1968 through 1980, president. She continued teaching until her retirement in 1997.

Although the university had been an all-woman institution for more than 80 years, she decided to open its doors to male students in 1971.

“She was the epitome, the heart and soul of Dominican,” said current President Joseph Fink. “Her life and Dominican’s were intertwined.”