River Campus namesake Earl Holland dies

Earl Holland’s name is seen in many places throughout the campus of Southeast Missouri State University, none more prominent as the Earl and Margie Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts on the River Campus.

Holland died at age 71 on May 31. He was raised in Caruthersville, Missouri, and still has family there today.

“He was very committed to the university and to the region as well,” said Bill Holland (no relation), vice president for university advancement and executive director of the university foundation.

Earl Holland’s mother was a factory laborer, and his father ran a service station and a used-car lot in Caruthersville. Holland attended Southeast because it was the only college his family could afford. He graduated with a degree in business in 1968 and married his wife, Marjorie, in Hayti, Missouri, in 1972.

Holland served as associate administrator of Pemiscot County Memorial Hospital in Hayti and went on to become vice chairman and chief operating officer of Health Management Associates, which operates more than 50 hospitals in 15 states.

Holland sat on the board of directors of several companies, including Rural Metro, Team Health, Cornerstone National Insurance, Imagistx Inc., the Southeast Missouri University Foundation, Mariner Health Care and Essent Healthcare.

Although he moved from the region, eventually settling in Fort Myers, Florida, he continued to make a difference in the region. In 1998, the Hollands made a six-figure donation to endow the Bill and Margie Holland Scholarship, awarded annually to two high-school graduates from Caruthersville or Hayti. Another six-figure donation improved the university’s alumni facilities.

“They were very humble people who never lost sight of their roots,” Bill Holland said of Earl and Margie Holland. “They were very proud of where they came from, even though they were very successful in their own right.”

“The reality is, without someone like them, the School of Visual and Performing Arts would not be a reality,” Southeast president Carlos Vargas-Aburto said. The Hollands’ seven-figure donation toward the development of the university’s River Campus was the largest single donation in the school’s history.

“They were incredibly gracious and humble. Their commitment to Southeast is very strong,” Vargas said.

Earl Holland is survived by his mother, Helen Holland, of Caruthersville. His wife, Margie Holland, lives in Fort Myers. He also leaves behind three daughters and many grandchildren.

“He was one fine man,” Bill Holland said.

The university is planning a special recognition of Holland during the 10th anniversary of the River Campus.

bbrown@semissourian.com

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