Scott Gregory Kelly, associate dean for graduate admissions at the Maryland Institute College of Art, died of complications from liver cancer Dec. 29 at Johns Hopkins Hospital. The Washington Hill resident was 52.
The son of Orson L. Kelly Jr., a retired Air Force master sergeant, and Margorie Gard Kelly, he was born at Andrews Air Force Base in Prince George's County. He was a 1980 graduate of Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Texas State University. He was active in Boy Scouts and attained the rank of Eagle Scout.
Mr. Kelly came to Baltimore in 1985 as a graduate student at the Maryland Institute College of Art. He entered the school's Mount Royal School and earned a Master of Fine Arts degree. He remained with MICA the rest of his life and initially worked in its undergraduate admissions department.
"For those of us who had the pleasure to work with him, Scott was the embodiment of professionalism and civility," said Theresa Bedoya, vice president of admissions and financial aid at MICA.
According to a biography from his school, Mr. Kelly moved from admissions counselor to assistant dean of admissions. Colleagues said he was responsible for attracting hundreds of prospective students and also helped to create the school's programs and events.
"When it came to MICA, he made people feel as if they were coming to a special place," said Kim Manfredi, an artist and friend who lives in Baltimore. "Scott was always interested in the other person. He listened. He would make me feel good about myself. He was there for people on an unconditional basis. He was also generous. He hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners when you didn't have one to go to."
She also recalled his own painting style. "His paintings have a classical feel to them," Ms. Manfredi said.
She said he was a patron of many students and would buy their paintings.
In 1999 Mr. Kelly began leading a newly created Office of Graduate Admissions.
"He was a one-on-one caring person," said Fred Lazarus, former president of the school. "His tours of the graduate program were nationally famous. He remained with students from the time they applied to the school and took them under his wing. He was self-effacing. He was always there for others."
School officials said that during his tenure, the number of graduate programs and students almost tripled. In response to the increased size and scope of his office's operations, Mr. Kelly was named MICA's first associate dean for graduate admissions.
"To the hundreds of graduate students with whom he established warm and caring relationships, he was a friend, adviser and advocate," said Ray Allen, vice president for academic affairs and provost.
He worked closely with the American abstract expressionist painter Grace Hartigan, who was a director of the LeRoy E. Hoffberger School of Painting.
"Scott worshiped MICA and Grace Hartigan in a wonderful way that allowed others to share in his enthusiasm," Ms. Manfredi said.
Lazarus agreed, saying, "Few people were as devoted to Grace Hartigan. He spent huge amounts of time with her as a mentor and as a friend."
He was a member of the school's Alumni Council from 1994 through 2005.
In recognition of his service to MICA, Mr. Kelly received the Douglas Frost Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.
"Scott's legacy is the impact he has had on hundreds of students and on the values he helped instill at MICA," said Mr. Allen.
A memorial scholarship has been established in his name.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Feb. 4 at Old St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Charles and Saratoga streets, where he was a vestry member and served on a guild.
A second service, a celebratory memorial, will be held at 1 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Lazarus Center, 131 W. North Ave.
Survivors include his father, who lives in Austin, Texas, and in Boynton Beach, Fla.; and a brother, Stephen M. Kelly of Austin, Texas.