1955 Gwen Collier remembers Professor Jim Jackson.

And then there is Dr. Jim Jackson, who was simply "prof" to those who worked with him. In those days he was teaching speech classes, working with the forensics program and directing plays.

For speech tournaments, he would have to get us ready for competition, get us to our destination including delivering us to the homes of church members who would keep us overnight, encourage us to do well in all of the events including debate, oratory, extemporaneous and impromptu speaking. Then on the way home, he had to commiserate with those who ended up " also attending," while others in the groups were exulting over their superior and excellent ratings. He still seemed to be there for all of us.

After the hard work of preparing of the play with such limited staging and less than adequate sound, there was also the challenge of getting the actors back to their dorms within the allotted hours--and there were sometimes some who never did make it back in. The Jacksons would have a cast party at their home after the performance and they were hilarious times.

The years may have passed but we still call him "Prof" and friend.



Back to Centennial Celebration Home