Jim "Jim" Valovick
1945-2007

These are some of the many tributes that people have written about Jim:

Jim graced us with a wealth of world experience and knowledge for nearly 20 years. A scholar with deep spiritual roots, he was a caring human who practiced what he preached.

Jim had a talent for turning a roomful of strangers at the beginning of a semester into a circle of friends at the end. He did that by making philosophical discussions fun and interesting and, as a colleague once noted, by teaching ethics…ethically.

Jim’s teaching expertise was expansive and included philosophy, ethics, and eastern and western religions. He joined the faculty as an Adjunct Instructor in 1988, and received a regular full-time faculty appointment in 1996 as a Philosophy Instructor. He was slated to become the Humanities Division Chair in fall 2008.

In 2000 he was recognized for outstanding contributions to teaching and learning by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development.

He was featured in the Traverse City Record-Eagle just one year ago for taking a group of students downstate for a first-hand look at the people, food and faiths of Dearborn, an area that has become a Mecca for Middle Eastern cultures in the United States. I encourage you to re-read the story as a reminder of both the energy that Jim brought to his work and the difference that he made in students’ lives (static.record-eagle.com/2006/dec/09gretchen.htm).

Jim’s education was equally diverse and expansive. He received a Master of Arts in Theology from the University of Detroit, a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Sacred Heart Seminary College, and an Associate’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Lawrence Tech. He also did graduate work in Greek and Latin at Wayne State University.

This has been the worst month I've ever had at NMC-and while I didn't know Gordon well other than the good things I heard said about his work, I did know Jim well. He and I shared a connection through Buddhism and many personal discussions. We were on several panels and led several EES classes together. He and I and other faculty used to sit in meditation regularly.

Jim was an intelligent, caring person. I will never forget how much he smiled and how pleasant he was to be with. He lived a spiritual life that I respected. He gave me something to work toward in that regard. His knowledge of Philosophy, Latin, Eastern and Western religions were superb-Something else I respected in him.

I sit here with tears in my eyes and a painful grief at his loss. I just talked to him Friday. I can't believe you are gone Jim. Thank you for all you gave me. I can't express how much I'll miss you....

His teaching truly helped students. Students would often tell me how great a teacher he was. He cared so much that people understood the ethics of our world; that people sought the truth. I very much doubt that we will find a worthy replacement. I'm so sad. I just keep seeing that slight smile of his; there was absolutely nothing about Jim that wasn't kind and good.

I get this intuitive feeling that Jim is ok-where ever he is---I will miss my friend

This indeed has been a sad few weeks for our NMC family. I can't believe this has happened! Jim was always such a pleasant, caring, quiet person that you couldn't help but like. He always had this little smile that just invited you into conversation. Everything he did showed how much he cared about the students, faculty and staff. Jim, you are already missed. We are all very lucky to have had the opportunity to spend some time with you!!

My heart goes out to Jim's wife and children. Jim was such a wonderful man and he truly made the world a better place for having cared, loved, and lived the way he did. Jim was such a good listener, and affirming soul, and he had so much wisdom to share. I will miss him dearly. We can all be comforted by Jim's words of wisdom about the passing of Gordon--that our dear friends live on.

Today I am greatful for the upcoming Solstice and the promise of light. What a week of shadow!

My thoughts rest on a cup of coffee --years ago--talking with Jim about the development of the Latin class online. Our delight --to perpetate a root of grammar-- and to share with our students a joy in the root of organized language -- was at the heart of enjoying the roots of how we think and express; how we evaluate and measure the experience of being human and civilized and ethical and fluid and creative.

In peace, Jim, Godspeed. En paz.

I respected and admired Jim for how his actions reflected his spirituality and his teaching. In the fall of 2002, in a Record-Eagle editorial, Jim applied an ethical analysis to the impending war with Iraq and found no moral justification for such an action. His concern with the plight of the peoples of the world was evidenced in his work with the Safe Passage project of Guatemala. And he sought an understanding and respect of the religions of others as demonstrated by his travels to Ladakh in northern India. About that trip, Jim wrote, "And [the Ladakhis] let me live with them for those days and they fed me their food and showed me the treasures and truths of their religion." As did you, Jim, in the life you led.

Jim served on Planning and Budget Council from 2000-2006. His philosophical point of view was not only needed while discussing budgeting and planning, but it really spiced up a lot of our Friday mornings. Jim always had that inviting grin that drew you to stop him on the sidewalk and talk about current events. He had such a refreshing outlook on the world. When I think of Jim I always think of someone kind and caring, strong of character, and completely without guile. You knew who you were talking to with Jim Valovick. I will miss him very much but am comforted by the fact that I imagine he was waved right on through purgatory yesterday...! Yes, indeed, Godspeed Jim V....

I, too, was incredibly sad when I got the news about Jim. Conversations with Jim were never just "idle chatter". They were always thought-provoking and profound, whether we were talking about my commute to work or the meaning of life. He was a well-respected scholar and a beautiful friend to those who knew him.

Though I didn't know Jim on a personal level I did have the pleasure of interpreting his class numerous times -- one class that I especially remember is one shortly after 9/11 -- Jim started the class with the song "Amazing Grace" -- I interpreted the song and not only did the deaf student have tears but the whole class had tears and today many more of us have tears -- I will miss being a part of his class.

Dear NMC Friends,

At this time of sorrow, as we grieve the loss of our two esteemed colleagues, I find myself struggling with my grief and sadness to find some meaning in all of this and then the words to express my thoughts.

I find myself thinking of our NMC community as a lovely, resilient fabric that has been woven of strands contributed by faculty, staff, students, and everyone else associated with us (even strands of twine from the Record Eagle) over all the years of NMC’s existence. We are a vibrant, colorful, and ever-changing fabric yet resilient because we are woven of many threads, threads that remain intact even as the weavers come and go.

As your many testimonials reflect, year after year, quietly and without fanfare, Gordon and Jim wove with golden threads- strong and fine, shining and warm- the precious threads that give our fabric value and depth.

I think the message they would want us to carry forth is that we each have the ability to weave with golden threads, and that we enrich the fabric of our community for all time when we do so.

Sharing your sorrow,

While I did not know Jim well, I must say I know what students thought of him. There is not a semester that has gone by without students telling me about what a great class and what a great teacher they had with Jim. They consistently reflected to me how he encouraged them to think critically and outside of the proverbial box - a skill most important to life in general. Most, if not all, of them also reflected that he was the best teacher that they ever had.

Those who knew him will miss him - surely - but so will all of the students he could've touched. . .

So, in his words, "everyone dies, but no one is dead." His memory will live on in all he encountered.

How shocking it has been to lose two of our revered faculty members. My heart goes out to the families and friends of these wonderful people who have brought so much joy and wisdom to those of us who have been touched in some way by their gifts.

In ethics, there are frequently no obvious answers, yet we have heard conversations in the courses Jim taught in the nursing program, that many of our nursing students have learned to explore new issues and develop ethical solutions, with Jim's gentle guidance. In addition to the classroom, several of our students have had a unique experience as they saw how Jim put his words, thoughts, beliefs and values into recognizing moral arguments within the community, as students had an opportunity to attend an Ethics Meeting, where Jim served as a member. Jim fully recognized that professional nurses face ethical dilemmas on a daily basis, and therefore, began the process of ensuring that ethical concepts could be applied in the clinical setting. As a valued member of the Munson Ethics Committee, Jim could be counted on to distinguish between correct and incorrect reasoning as he was skillfully able to make ideas clear in understanding complex ethical dilemmas often faced by families, staff, students and others.

I could go on in elaborating the impact Jim has made within the NMC family, and to nursing students and nurses who have graduated from the NMC Nursing Program, however many others will have much, much more. One more, will conclude my thoughts for now- while listening to Jim, as he recently presented to NMC faculty, a comment that rang so true and honest to me was, "that you can practice, practice, and practice, but soon, there is an expectation that one must do and be". This wise, heartfelt statement, Jim helped many students as they moved on into nursing profession. With this measure of wisdom, he brought the essence of wholism into his teaching which impacted more individuals that we will ever know.

What wonderful role models we have had the privilege of knowing for a time.

I had the privilege of sitting in Jim’s Critical Thinking class as a student this past spring. One thing that strikes me about him is his constantly calm, unruffled disposition. Even though the whole class centered around discussing controversial topics, I never saw him get even slightly riled, and came away not knowing his opinion on anything we discussed in class—only that it is important to look at issues from every view point, and to be open to others’ opinions. He has my deepest respect, and I’m so grateful to have sat in his classroom.

Do you ever wonder if God speaks to you...in the last year I've really tried to "listen" to see if I too could here him speak and it's amazing how often he does...sometimes in soft ways, other times in amusing ways (like when I was driving back to work from a chemo treatment and feeling stressed the license plate of the car ahead of me was "LETITGO"! Had to chuckle and look skyward and say thanks.) Today, as I read tributes to Jim and wonder "WHY", I get an e-mail from my niece...

A remarkable phone call from a 12-yr old boy to Houston radio station KSBJ FM 89.3 . So profound, the station has it posted on their web site ..........listen to it. It's short.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCdZwitrNoY

Again, I look skyward and say thank you,

Jim's office was right across the hall from me. That hall will be much darker without his wonderful smile lighting it each day. Though I didn't know Jim well, I was privileged to know him at all.

NMC has suffered two tragic losses in one week, but the expamles Jim and Gordon set can help us in our grief and give us the strength to go on.

My thoughts and prayers go out to their loved ones everywhere.

I had the privilege of being a student of Jim’s in his Contemporary Ethical Dilemmas class as well as his Latin and Greek classes. Long after the ethics class ended, we were sending e-mails back and forth about philosophers and beliefs. He was the consummate teacher/mentor. A “gentleman” in the very best sense of the word.

As I tried to compose my thoughts and memories of Gordon we are blind sided by the loss of Jim.

In my position in the Flexible Learning Options area I have had a chance to work with both of these outstanding human beings. Both Gordon and Jim took up the reins to begin teaching their courses, really their expertise, in the online environment. Both men adopted the online arena and melded it to continue serving their students. My heart is broken at our loss!

I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to family, friends and colleagues in this time of great sorrow. Just last year I lost my father, my father-in-law and a very close paternal uncle and know that the coming days, weeks, months and years will be very sad and tearful. At last I am able to think of fond memories without having tears blur my vision.

Life is precious, remember to hug someone you love everyday!

James (Jim) Valovick was (is) truly a gift from the divine.

An excellent teacher, colleague, innovator, professional and friend, Jim defined the term "Humanitarian."

I have many memories of Jim--like the times we served together with Ann and Ray and Sue and a few others drafting and revising the Faculty Development and Evaluation Plan. In this endeavor, Jim worked hard to establish and maintain the highest of standards; he also made sure that faculty have significant opportunities to be innovative in their delivery of learning. He wanted to focus on the positive, and have people strive for the same. He spent a great deal of time considering wording and the philosophy behind that wording.

In recent semesters, Jim was after me to do more collaboration with him in the classroom. He loved and taught Ray Bradbury's *Fahrenheit 451,* and he knew that I had similar passions. We were going to pursue this, but the delay was mine. Do people know that we love them when we leave things unsaid and undone? Yes, I believe so--but it is always important to tell them anyway.

This fall semester, I often walked by one of Jim's classes and looked in the door. He often had guest speakers from a range of international faiths and ethnicities, and they all seemed very happy to be there. They knew that they were genuinely respected.

On Mondays and Wednesdays this fall, Jim and I had back to back classes in the same room. Jim's eight o'clock concluded as my ten-fifteen came in. I would tease Jim and ask, "You have this room all warmed up?" He would smile that very special Jim smile and he say, "Yes, I do." One day he said, "Garyn, I heard what your students were saying about your class when I was leaving and before you got here the other day." "They said, 'This class rocks!'--That means that it is really good, Garyn. I thought you should know this." From most other people, this would have been a nice comment. From Jim, this was extra special. He was a neat guy, and he did bring such a positive presence to a room.

Just this past Friday, I ran into Jim several times in the Communications main office. On one occasion we both had stacks of final papers and essays and tests in our arms. I asked Jim, "Are we going to make it?" He replied, "Oh, yes." I said, "That's right, we've seen this before."

Jim was a highly spiritual man, and I respected and adored him for that. Jim knew that God and science and the history of ideas were far from mutually exclusive--in fact, he knew that they are intimately tied, with the latter two being the providence of the former. Jim also knew that there is nothing wrong with God--the problems come in with the interpretations and representations of God by us flawed humans.

Yesterday, I went to his office door and grasped tightly the door handle. I knew that he had grasped this handle himself not long ago. I looked through the window at Jim's neatly arranged and carefully selected books. I know I am going to miss this guy mightily; I already do.

One of the best things about the Communications Discipline moving to Scholars Hall was the opportunity for me to get to know Jim better. We often met at the copy machine before our 8:00 a.m. classes to talk about the upcoming day. Last spring we worked together to nominate a student we both had for Adult Student of the Year. Jim cared deeply about his students and took the time to learn their stories. He was truly a gentle man.

"We die with the dying:
See, they depart, and we go with them.
We are born with the dead:
See, they return, and bring us with them."

T.S. Eliot

Shantih, Jim.

My field of specialization is political theory, which is closely related to moral philosophy. Jim and I were a part of a presentation several years back and after I offered some information on the political debates concerning stem cell research and cloning, Jim gave a concise conceptual analysis of a deontological v. utilitarian approach to the moral issues involved in these technologies. I spoke with him afterwards concerning his argument for the advtantages a utilitarian approach and have ever since been impressed with his thoughtfullness and with his ability to take complex issues and make them immeditaley accessible to individuals of all backgrounds. If democracy begins with engagement among citizens, Jim was a democrat in the best sense of the term. I am sorry he will no longer be here for the benefit of myself and my colleagues and, most importantly, our students. The respect we have for him comes from his genuine care for others and his belief that thoughtfulness is the first step on the path towards happiness.

I am saddened and shocked by the news of Jim Valovick's death. Words seem inadequate to describe the depth of his contributions to our humanities division and to the community-at-large. His presence will be deeply missed. He was an advocate for many important missions, including supporting music and dance events in our area.

May we all find comfort in the community that Jim Valovick cared so much about.

Good morning all,
I will remember Jim as a kind, caring person of great depth and intellectual curiosity, and a person I always looked forward to running into in the halls of NMC. Conversations with Jim were always meaningful, and he always took the time to listen. He had so many gifts and talents, and I will miss him very much.

Here is a poem that seems appropriate.

I hope you and yours have a safe and joyous holiday season.

The Dash

The following is a poem by Linda Ellis © 1998. Consider the implications for your own life's choices

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth...
And now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own; the cars .... the house... the cash.
What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard ... are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left. (You could be at "dash mid-range")

If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real,
And always try to understand the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more,
And love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile...
Remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy's being read with your life's actions to rehash...
Would you be proud of the things they say about how you spend your dash??

As a member of the Congregation Beth El I got to know Jim over the past few years by honoring his request for me to give a tour of the synagogue and talk to his students about Judaism. He and I then had some great discussions on religion and how his students responded to his class. I could never say no to his request, he was so kind and always had such a wonderful smile. I certainly will miss him. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Whether we were talking about local food, Arabic (which he was learning), or African literature; whether we were waiting around for the copy machine, talking about how thinking and writing are inextricably connected, or just sharing some cake to get us through the final stretch of the semester, Jim was a wonderful colleague and friend. I shared an office pod with him in Scholars Hall. The pleasure and privilege was mine.

His intellectual curiosity, his integrity, his kind and gentle demeanor (and grin), his deep sense of social justice lived out in the community... all this and more I, we, will miss.

Travelling mercies, Jim. Godspeed to his family.

Several years ago, Judy Chu and I were in my office late one afternoon being very academic. Actually, we were teaching each other how to sew fabric handbags… We had our fabrics, and pins, and thread, and pattern spread about. We were wearing looks of confusion as we tried to follow the written directions for pinning and sewing. Jim suddenly popped his head into the office (something he rarely did as we didn’t know one another well at that point) and said, “Ah, textiles – this is good – it’s the Humanities.” The three of us burst out in laughter. And we became friends.

NMC has lost another superb and caring faculty member. Jim liked to invite other NMC faculty and community people to be guest speakers in his classes. He seemed to thrive on new ideas and differing opinions. He was better than anyone else I know in opening the minds of his students and increasing their sensitivity to other people. Jim made learning a true joy and a celebration of humanity.

He was first my teacher and then he became a colleague and from the start, he was always a friend. He remains so today.

We frequently crossed paths at school, but even more so out in the community--going to a film, speaker, conference, action. Jim was a constant agent for connecting people and ideas to their greater potentials. A quiet, humble and successful community builder.

I appreciated his pace of life -- patient, reflective, and always ready for a discussion. He taught by being a model of curiosity.

I will miss him.

Dear Jim:

My heart is filled with sadness and my grief is beyond measure for I have lost a genuine dear friend in you.

Since I joined NMC as an adjunct faculty, you were the first faculty member at NMC who has appreciated my knowledge of both Physics and Islam and had invited me (almost every year) to speak to your Philosphy classes about the impact that Quantum Mechanics had on modern philosophical thought and speak to your Ethics and Eastern Religion classes about Islam and Morality in Islam.

Your appreciation for languages is incomparable, I will not forget that you persevered and made great strides learning Arabic and I have always felt privileged to work with you on Arabic pronunciations and vocabulary.

Being a Muslim who is proud of his faith, I had a hard time dealing with 9/11 and its devastating consequences but thankfully I had three great friends at NMC who cared about me and my family and made sure to contact me and offer their support, you were one of these three special individuals and the other two are my colleagues Steven Drake in the Math department and Tom Gordon in the History department.

Dear Friend, you have always respected people of various faiths, backgrounds, and cultures and made sure that your students experienced that appreciation through invited talks and field trips to cultural/religious centers.

Dear Jim, knowing how much you had appreciated knowledge and how much you had devoted your life seeking it and disseminating it, I am comforted to remember the saying of the Prophet Mohammed (SAW): "He who follows a path in quest of knowledge, Allah will make the path of Jannah (Paradise) easy to him. The angels lower their wings over the seeker of knowledge, being pleased with what he does. The inhabitants of the heavens and the earth and even the fish in the depth of the oceans seek forgiveness for him. The superiority of the learned man over the devout worshipper is like that of the full moon to the rest of the stars. The learned are the heirs of the Prophets who bequeath neither dinar nor dirham but only that of knowledge; and he who acquires it, has in fact acquired an abundant portion.''

Dear Jim, the tears are falling, the hearts are grieving, and your precious memories will forever remain lit.

Salam, Dear Friend!

Listening, watching, and reading through the swirling numbness of this past week brings to mind that which is most important--relationships. We really do love each other, and it is right that we do. Relationships trump everything.

Everything.

No exceptions.

I'm thankful for this final lesson from two special teachers.

Jim was OUR friend.
He was the guy that made you want to be a better person.
As seen in all of the writings, he was a person of deep relationships.
He could ask me to do just about anything...and, usually did. And I always did it.
I have fond memories of speaking in his classes..including discussing the psychological
aspects depicted in" In Harm's Way" with his students...many of them are
now my students at GVSU.
Jim was concerned about the soul of NMC.
We need to do all we can for his family.
Our students are in pain over Jim's death. We need to be there for them, for each other.
Jim's life was a life well-lived.
Peace sweet seeker.

Jim was a wonderful teacher. It was a privilege to team teach Critical Thinking with him for several years. I learned so much from Jim. He modeled careful and reflective thought as he encouraged students to open-mindedly search for the truth. Jim's recent trip to Guatemala City for NMC's Safe Passage group made it clear to me that he not only lived his values in the classroom and in all that he did for NMC, but also in a community thousands of miles away. Jim and I often talked about the value of conciseness. Jim cared about people and their journeys, and he helped them.

It is so hard to have these reflections when you have not yet fully comprehended that you won't be seeing him again in the hallways; that the next time you read an intriguing article about business ethics, you won't be able to email it to him and have some discourse on its contents; that he won't be there to pose the question that makes you stop in your tracks and rethink your course.

I had the privilege of serving on Planning and Budget Council with Jim for five years, and the informal, but too infrequent contacts, we had because of knowing each other there. PBC, and the College, benefitted greatly from Jim's unique perspective on the many topics that we discussed over those years. The same ability that he exhibited in the classroom, as we have heard from so many people, he brought to his other College roles. He would make us look deeper into the issues facing us, and into ourselves - not forcing an answer on us, but not letting us back away from the issue. Because PBC was charged with making recommendations, Jim did take positions on subjects, and he supported them insightfully. I find myself on occasion (although not often enough) when faced with a dilemma asking myself, "How would Jim Valovick have approached this?".

Over the past two days, I keep wanting to say that I am a better person for having known Jim. I am richer for having known Jim. I hope I can use his many examples - never stop learning, walk in the other person's shoes, be fair and just, make a difference - to really be a better person.

It has been inspiring to read everyone's messages. We are all truly fortunate to have known him. May his legacy live on in all of us and all that we do.

It was a pleasure to work with Jim in the Humanities Area since 1988. He first came to teach philosophy as an adjunct faculty member. His students so richly enjoyed his classes, that everyone was thrilled that he succeed another wonderful philosophy teacher, Roy Terdal, as a full-time instructor. As others have more eloquently written, he enriched his students' experience with innovative teaching, insightful dialogues, and modeling a never-ending thirst for knowledge.

Jim was also a soft-spoken leader. He was widely respected for his perspectives during his six years of service on Planning Budget Council. In our various discussions he always reminded us about the importance of clear and logical thinking and language. He often pointed out that the clarity of thought can be found in the roots of language.

He led in other ways too. His recent trip to Guatemala with Mary Pierce inaugurated the college's efforts to touch the lives of the struggling children of that nation's capital city. He also shared with me that he looked forward to new service as the incoming Humanities chair next year. In the twilight of his career at NMC, he wanted to step forward to lead his area.

As in the case of Gordon, I will truly miss Jim. But his gentleness and support for all of us will be long remembered by our college community and beyond.

The first thing I noticed when I met Jim was the smile he always wore. As I got to know him better, I realized his smile was the outward reflection of a kind heart, passionate soul, inquisitive mind, and deep-seated faith. We will miss all these gifts you bestowed on us, Jim. Godspeed on your journey.

Jim and Gordon - two losses - so big I cannot get my arms around them; just as I cannot get my arms around my friends anymore. As so many have more eloquently said, the dead are not truly gone, just changed. I hope I can feel this way in the future, as well as think it.

At Jim's funeral today the words to one of the songs impressed on me the paradox of the frailty and tenaciousness of life. And faith is beyond that . . .

Nameste to the Fliers

“He gives breath,”
Until He doesn’t.
A contradiction of evidence,
The essence of belief

Embraced by those living on the boundaries,
Dancing with the angels through the muck of life.
A body made of mud cannot survive this destiny,
Unless it flies.

I've had the pleasure of being on both sides of the desk with Jim. Shortly after he became a full time faculty member, he taught a Logic course. It wasn't offered long, but the late night class fit my schedule and I needed a Humanities course. I remember there were only a dozen students in the class. Jim had a knack for getting us to work together in groups, both during class and after class. I recall working with 3 other guys on the Truth Tables. After class, we would gather at someones house, and rotate between homes on different weeks. After one such gathering event, we returned to the next class and began a discussion , using the Truth Tables, over the logic behind drinking beer. After our half-hour argument, to which we could find no logic behind looking through the bottom of an empty bottle, Jim (still trying to stop laughing) was quick to point out that there WAS logic behind this, in that we probably could see life through a different sort of vision.

More recently, I had the pleasure (this time as a faculty member) to guest lecture in Jim's Critical Thinking class. Jim would have me come in a discuss the difficulties that Galileo had with presenting his Heliocentric Universe ideas to a world that could not comprehend beyond their 'seeing is believing' concept. His students were always attentive and asked relivant questions to the discussion. Always wanting them to 'think outside the box'.

I shared my thoughts with Judy last night, and she suggested I pass them on to all of you.

I find it very interesting, that these two men, Gordon and Jim, who worked so hard during their life to bring the community together, through their classes, committees, outreach, and other areas, have found a NEW way to bring us all together (through the Everyone emails) in their passing. Most interesting.

Thanks Gordon and Jim, for the final lesson. I think we have it now.

Warm and genuine, highly conscious, generous, an excellent mind—we’ve all tried to find adequate words but no description captures the spirit of our colleague and friend.

In EES, we knew Jim as student and teacher. As part of his ongoing engagement in learning, Jim completed his 3rd term of Arabic this fall. He also finished another term of yoga, a practice he started several years ago.

As teacher, most semesters he taught Latin or Greek as a joint-offering gathering any interested students. Once in the door, most would continue over several semesters captivated by the many who guided their studies. For a couple terms, he led a class exploring the “What the Bleep” movie and was a panelist providing a philosophical perspective.

In the past few weeks we were exploring three new ideas he had for community classes—areas of learning that expressed some of his interests, expertise, and concerns.

We share an unspeakable sadness—I doubt we can yet comprehend the loss. How good it is that our lives intersected for a few years and we could call him colleague and friend.

Peace to you, Jim. Peace . . . .

Death starkly reminds us of the limits of human comprehension and communication. But I have been deeply heartened by the thoughtful reflections on Jim Valovick submitted by so many in the NMC community this past week.

Jim contacted me in the summer of 1997 about teaching philosophy courses at NMC and provided all kinds of support for my classes and vocation at the College. Having served as an adjunct instructor himself, Jim was an articulate advocate for adjunct faculty at NMC, lobbied hard for my full-time position, and continued to press for improving the conditions of all adjunct faculty in our last Humanities meeting. I remember how excited Jim was when he called in June 2005 to inform me about my full-time position. Each year, he impressed me more and more with his integrity, intelligence, and perceptiveness regarding people and situations. With our offices across the hall from each other in Scholars Hall, I was fortunate to have many conversations with Jim about countless topics, academic or otherwise, in the past two and a half years. It was interesting how a person might talk with Jim on a regular basis, without learning much about Jim's own life and experiences; in typical human conversations, most of us want to talk about ourselves, but Jim was a refreshing exception to this practice! Instead of discussing himself or his own views on some topic or issue, Jim would often ask questions, being more genuinely interested in the thoughts and experiences of others. But during this past semester, he conveyed his personal enthusiasm and optimism in developing new classes in philosophy and religion, and in assuming the position of Humanities Chair next year.

Good teachers are those who continue to learn, and there have been many testaments to Jim's curiosity and perpetual learning. At the NMC Christmas party, Jim talked to me about an interesting book that he was reading - Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters by Matt Ridley - and how he hoped to use the book in a Philosophy of Science class someday. Jim was a life-long student who thrived on exploring new subjects, experiences, and perspectives - which is probably why he was a good traveler, too. As a teacher, Jim exemplified the Socratic method of eliciting knowledge and critical thinking from others by asking questions; he understood that teaching a student what to think does not teach the student how to think. Jim was a tireless pedagogical innovator, always creating new ways to help develop his students' understanding and appreciation of the course subject. One of many examples of his innovation struck me on Friday afternoon, when I was in the College bookstore making arrangements with Ulle regarding the texts for the faculty teaching Jim's courses in the spring semester. She showed me the stacks of sixteen different books in her office that Jim had ordered for the "book club" assignments in his five philosophy and religion classes, ranging from The Scarlet Letter and Frankenstein to My Sister's Keeper and Reading Lolita in Tehran.

Some have commented on the uniqueness of being around Jim and sensing how he always seemed fully present, not distracted or elsewhere. For me, Jim cultivated and embodied both Western and Eastern virtues - moderation, justice, compassion, humility. He represented the perfect Aristotelian blend of reason and feeling, thought and intuition, in his words and actions. I remember several years ago Jim speaking of his respect and admiration for the Vietnamese Buddhist Thich Nhat Hanh and his "Engaged Buddhism", which is committed to challenging social and political injustice around the world. For Jim, the classroom was a space where students should not only develop their understanding of the world, but also their commitment to improving the world. There was no ivory tower separation between his philosophy and religion classes and the outside world; through assignments, texts, and guest speakers, Jim insisted upon bringing the world, both local and global, into his classroom. It is typical of Jim and his wife Catherine that they would suggest donations to organizations which foster compassion and support for others, both near and far, in lieu of flowers.

I will deeply miss Jim's conversation and companionship, his Taoist mentoring of myself and others, his grace and gentleness, and mostly, his wonderful smile. Jim's smile might have something to do with the Buddha...

One other thing I thought of. It seems trivial and routine, but that's what makes it special. How many faculty phone numbers do you have committed to memory? If you're like me, you probably know 4 or 5. Jim's was one of those numbers. I often called 5-1331. I thought about this a bunch on the road home from Kansas last week because Jim was the guy I always bounced stuff off before trying in the classroom. This time I talked "shop" with Amy on the road (she's just as good at it too). As valuable as that was, the thought kept barging in on me that this was what I did with Jim every semester. We were invested in each other and he is missed.

Jim "Jim" Valovick 1945-2007

Jim "Jim" Valovick
1945-2007