We are saddened to share the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Lori McVay, who died on March 29, 2025, at the age of 65. 

Lori joined Stanford in 1988, first as the program administrator for the newly formed affiliates group in the School of Earth Sciences, known as the Stanford Center for Reservoir Forecasting. Over the years, she became an integral part of our community, overseeing pre-award and post-award research funding, financial planning, accounting, and personnel for the Center on Food Security and the Environment (FSE). In 2010, she received the prestigious Marsh O'Neill Award for outstanding contributions to Stanford's research mission. 

Lori also led administrative organizational operations for a number of new research centers at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies during her career, including the Stanford Center for China’s Economy and Institutions (SCCEI). Her counsel was also sought by colleagues across campus for her wealth of knowledge and ability to explain the organization’s research administration policies.  

Lori was known for her warmth, generosity, and tireless commitment to her work. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she will be remembered for her deep compassion and her gift for bringing people together. She is survived by her family and many friends who will miss her dearly.

Read Lori’s complete obituary here: https://www.enidwecare.com/obituary/lori-mcvay

Faculty at the Center on Food Security and the Environment, and Center for China’s Economy and Institutions offered these remembrances:

Lori was an amazing colleague - kind, funny, and incredibly dependable. She was a huge part of our community at FSE and was immensely helpful to several of us youngsters early in our Stanford careers. She's the sort of person who made Stanford tick. She will be missed. 
– Marshall Burke

Lori was such a big part of our lives and our center for many years. I owe her so much for helping me along the way, from a young student to center director. She was always so competent, wise, and reliable, bust also fun and playful. 
- David Lobell

I worked with Lori for decades and trusted her and depended on her for all aspects of work – she was a wonderful friend to all of us – loyal, funny, warm, and kind. 
- Roz Naylor

Everyone in the Rural Education and Action Program (REAP) and SCCEI that worked with Lori loved Lori. We miss her madly. We also celebrate all of the joy and friendship and academic successes that she brought to us for all of those years!!
- Scott Rozelle