In a message sent to ESU faculty and staff:
August 25, 2020
Dear Colleagues,
Sadly, I must share with you that James Calvert, former professor in our physical sciences department, died Saturday. During his 32 years at Emporia State, Jim also served as President of the Faculty and interim department chair. Jim always worked for his students and their success.
One of those students, alum Brian Tichenor and his wife, Jill, created the James Calvert Endowed Professorship in Physical Sciences to honor the man Brian credits with guiding him to his career with NASA.
I recall Jim’s humbleness at the ceremony for the Tichenors’ gift. He said that had Brian chosen a different course of study, another ESU faculty member would be receiving a named professorship. Rather, Jim said, he was being honored because Brian believes he received a first-class education at Emporia State.
Jim’s family is not having a funeral because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. We will share a link to the full obituary when it is published.
Jim and his late wife, Kay, were passionate about student scholarships. If you care to remember them, donations may be made to the ESU Foundation for university scholarships or to the James Calvert Endowed Professorship in Physical Sciences.
Sincerely,
Allison D. Garrett
President