MOSH Loses Great Leader

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Margo E. Dundon, President & CEO of the Museum of Science & History for more than 17 years, passed away on the morning of June 22, 2007. Dundon, who had been courageously battling lymphatic cancer since October 2006, died from complications resulting from a respiratory infection. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 27 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Johns Cathedral downtown, located at 256 E. Church Street.

Margo Dundon has been leading the Museum of Science & History since her arrival in 1990. During her tenure at MOSH, Dundon oversaw the physical, financial, and programmatic growth of the Museum. She was a key participant in the development of a $4.5 million renovation of the Museum and in the installation of $1.5 million worth of permanent exhibitions. Dundon also led an $8 million capital campaign, which ended in 2002, resulting in additional growth.

Will Newton, President of the Board of Directors at MOSH, said "Margo was a great leader. She was a wonderful representative for the Museum and for Jacksonville. She will be sorely missed by everyone at MOSH."

Dundon was an active member of the community, belonging to a host of professional and philanthropic organizations. She served as chairwoman of the Jacksonville and the Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau, president of the Florida Association of Museums, regional counselor of the American Association of Museums, and as a grant panelist and reviewer for a variety of agencies, including the Division of Cultural Affairs, Division of Historical Resources, and the Institute of Museum & Library Services. She was also appointed by Mayor John Delaney to serve on the "Better Jacksonville" citizen's commission. The Rotary Club of Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Women's Network, the Florida Attractions Association, and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce were other organizations to which Dundon belonged.

Dundon's path to MOSH began at Ohio University, where she received a B.S. in Communications. Before landing the position of Executive Director for the Grout Museum District in Waterloo, Iowa, Dundon traveled to Oklahoma where she took post-graduate courses in Museum Studies at the University of Oklahoma. In Iowa, Dundon served as president of the Iowa Museums Association and the Midwest Museums Conference (now called the Association of Midwest Museums).

After Dundon's diagnosis, she established the Margo E. Dundon Health Benefits Fund as a way to help offset healthcare costs for MOSH staff members. Anyone wishing to make a donation in her honor, may do so by mailing a check payable to MOSH to the Margo E. Dundon Endowment Fund, 1025 Museum Circle, Jacksonville, FL, 32207.

Michael Oberg, who has served as the Museum's Vice President & CFO/COO for 12 years, has served as Acting President & CEO during Dundon's absence. He will continue in this role at the Museum.