W. Houston Dougharty

W. Houston Dougharty, 63, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the world, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 27, 2025.
He leaves behind his beloved wife of 33 years, Kim Pine Dougharty; his daughter, Allie Gibson Dougharty; his son and companion, Fen Wright Dougharty; his brother, Phil Dougharty; his sister, Bonnie Dougharty; his niece Kristina Dougharty; and his in-laws, David and Barbara Pine. His father, Bernard Dougharty, a proud veteran of World War II; his mother, Margaret Dougharty; and his brother Daniel Dougharty preceded him in death.
Houston lived a life rich with love, purpose, and service - a life devoted to family and friends, shaped by a meaningful and influential career, and animated by a passion for the theatre, history and civics, the Seattle Mariners and Seahawks, and lifelong learning. He would regularly be found in the audience on and off Broadway, attending theater and reviewing nearly four hundred fifty shows over many years on Show-Score. His extraordinary four decades in college and university student affairs reflected his unwavering commitment to student development, community building, and transformative leadership in higher education. His deep love of his home state of New Mexico, ancestral Irish roots, and his years in New York and the Pacific Northwest reflected his enduring belief in the power of connection, the spirit of equity and inclusion, and the enduring power of friendship.
A proud alumnus of the University of Puget Sound '83, Houston's journey began with a deep appreciation for the collegiate experience. His early involvement in theater and student government sparked a lifelong passion for the performing arts and for helping students find their own voices. Houston remained forever proud of his alma mater and his identity as a Logger, often reflecting on the spirit of community and adventure he first found there - and where he met Kim Pine, his life's companion. His formative years at Santa Fe Prep also shaped his deep love for learning, service, and connection - values he carried forward throughout his life.
That passion would infuse every chapter of his career, from his start in admissions and later as associate dean of students at his beloved University of Puget Sound, to key student affairs leadership roles at Iowa State University, Lewis & Clark College, Grinnell College, and ultimately Hofstra University, where he served as Vice President for Student Affairs.
Throughout his career, Houston emphasized the importance of relationships, curiosity, and holistic student support. His leadership was marked by inclusive policies, innovative programs, and an unrelenting commitment to student well-being. A fierce advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, he always strove to create communities where every student could feel seen, valued, and empowered. At Grinnell, he championed initiatives like gender-neutral housing and cultural immersion experiences. At Hofstra, he became a beloved figure on campus, often accompanied by his rescue pug, Otis, and always ready to find new ways to connect students to the broader world. True to his theater roots, he frequently organized trips to Broadway shows, sharing his love of the performing arts and helping students experience the magic of live theater in New York City. One of his proudest professional moments came when Hofstra University's Division of Student Affairs was recognized as a "Most Promising Place to Work in Student Affairs," honoring the division's deep commitment to inclusivity, well-being, collaboration, and student success.
Houston's journey was also marked by extraordinary resilience. In the midst of his tenure at Hofstra, he battled life-threatening kidney failure. In a profound testament to the relationships he had built over a lifetime of mentorship and care, a former student, Reba Putorti, stepped forward to donate her kidney- a gift that saved his life. Their bond, strengthened over years of trust and friendship, endured even as the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the transplant and introduced new fears. The selfless act of a former student giving the gift of life embodied everything Houston had spent his career fostering: connection, community, and profound humanity.
Houston's impact was recognized nationally. He received the NASPA Pillar of the Profession Award in 2018 and the prestigious Scott Goodnight Award for Outstanding Performance as a Dean in 2022. In 2023, his alma mater honored him with the Professional Achievement Distinguished Alumni Award, celebrating a lifetime of contributions to higher education. Over the course of his career, Houston touched the lives of hundreds of former colleagues, students, and friends - inspiring generations through his mentorship, generosity, humor, and unwavering belief in the potential of others.
After a career spent enriching the lives of students across the country, Houston returned in retirement to his childhood home of Santa Fe, New Mexico - a place close to his heart. There, he rekindled his love for the vibrant culture, fiery New Mexican cuisine, and the world-renowned Santa Fe Opera, where his lifelong passion for the arts continued to thrive. He delighted in local traditions like the annual burning of Zozobra and in the joy of discovering his Irish heritage, traveling to Donegal to walk the landscapes of his ancestors.
Houston embraced retirement with generosity and joy -visiting museums, serving his local community, and cheering on baseball and college bowl games alongside his beloved Fen. He also reveled in travels to New Orleans to visit with his treasured daughter, Allie. Houston and Kim's happiest moments were spent making each other laugh, going on adventures near and far, and connecting with the many friends they met along the way.
Beyond his administrative roles, Houston was a devoted educator, mentor, and advocate. He taught at institutions including UCSB, Drake University, and Hofstra University, and served as a NASPA board member and institute faculty director. Even in retirement, he continued to give back as a consultant, volunteer with the Food Depot; as a docent for Santa Fe Opera; Bienvenidos, sharing his favorite Santa Fe spots with tourists; and as board vice-chair for KUNM Public Radio.
W. Houston Dougharty's legacy is one of compassion, creativity, courage, and community. His life's work shaped countless student experiences, blending the rigor of leadership with the heart of an artist - setting a lasting standard for excellence in student affairs and an enduring example of the human spirit.
Houston's family will gather in Santa Fe for an intimate farewell. The family invites relatives, friends, and colleagues from near and far to join them in the Pacific Northwest for a celebration of Houston's life later this year. Donations in Houston's memory can be made to the LGBTQI+ Scholarship at University of Puget Sound, https://www.pugetsound.edu/make-your gift-puget-sound (please enter "LGBTQI+ Scholarship" under Other).