Current Release: September 11th, 2007 | Vol. XXIV Iss. 10

photos Courtesy College Communications

Dr. Bill Jones Passes Away

By America Ballerini

aballerini@vwc.edu

Dr. Bill Jones might be gone, but he will never be forgotten at Virginia Wesleyan College. A political science professor, William Milton Jones passed away due to a brain tumor Monday, May 14, 2007.

Since 1979, Jones taught traditional courses on government, law and policy; political history and theory; and international relations. His special interests included the decades just after World War II, concerning the McCarthy era and the effect of the atom bomb on popular culture.

 It would be hard to match his enthusiasm, said Dr. Kathy Merlock Jackson, a communications professor at Virginia Wesleyan.  He set high standards but was very thoughtful and encouraging.

Not only did Jones wear bow ties and drive a  55 Lincoln, he also co-edited the Journal of American Culture with Jackson, led the college marshals during annual commencement exercises, was the first to carry the Virginia Wesleyan mace, and received the Samuel Nelson Gray award for distinguished teaching in 1993.

 Bill loved movies, music (everything but country and western), old television, and the American composer Aaron Copeland, said Connie Jones, his wife of 37 years.

After Jones passing, his family created the William Milton Jones Endowed Scholarship to honor his lifelong dedication to education. All donations made to the Jones scholarship are matched dollar-for-dollar by the Frank E. Brown Challenging. Donations are always welcome and should be made out to the Jones Endowment at Virginia Wesleyan College.

The scholarship was created because Jones  invested his heart in Virginia Wesleyan since 1979, said Connie Jones.  We are really pleased with the scholarship and excited that the first one will be given out this fall.

A memorial gathering is planned to take place on Friday, Nov. 9 at 4 pm. in the Science Auditorium. To honor Jones, attendees are welcome to share personal testimonials, memories, stories, anecdotes, and reflections. Following the gathering, there will also be a screening of the upbeat motion picture classic  It s A Wonderful Life, one of Jones favorite films.

 Bill was a public person, known in the community and on campus, Jackson said.  He was a face of Virginia Wesleyan College.