"70"

by James Renwick Jackson, Jr.

it's been marvelous

magical serendipities
fantastic adventures
delicious ecstasies

life
full
running over

now it really gets good

more alive
healthy
no aches
all systems flowing gracefully

Spirit-filled
in harmony with creation
abiding in the wildlife refuge

a loving bond
a joyful intimacy
an authentic spiritual community
an artist's craft
working for common good

truly free
all open
encompassed in love
thankful
expectant
best yet to be

come
celebrate my life
___________________________

Posted on July 23, 2012

ST. MARY'S CITY, Md.—Former St. Mary's College of Maryland President Dr. James Renwick Jackson has passed away. Jackson served as president of the College from 1969 – 1982. He died Friday, July 13 in Queens, New York from complications of pneumonia, surrounded by a circle of loved ones.

Jackson was St. Mary's first male president, taking office on July 1, 1969. He brought with him a vision of a "public Swarthmore," where the best of small, private, liberal arts education could be modeled in a public college. He led the transformation of the college from a two-year to a four-year curriculum, overseeing the first 4-year graduation in 1971 and the first accreditation by the Maryland Higher Education Commission in 1974.

"When I met President Jackson last year, his love for the college was undiminished, and inspiring," said Dr. Joseph Urgo, president of St. Mary's College of Maryland. "We will miss him, although his spirit will forever animate the core of our mission."

Jackson's legacy to the college includes commissioning a bronze medallion of the Ark and the Dove which became the college logo. He also launched the Mulberry Tree Papers in 1972, which has run continuously as the college/alumni magazine since that time. In addition, he held, in 1974, what would become the college's annual Governor's Cup Yacht Race.

During his 13-year service as president, the campus facilities greatly expanded: in 1970, Prince George and Caroline residence halls opened and the Cobb House was purchased for the president's residence. In 1974, the Chapman residence (now the Alumni Office) was acquired. In 1980, Montgomery Hall Fine Arts Center opened.

Dr. Jackson was born in Philadelphia, PA on October 10, 1928. He worked as Dean of Students and Professor of History at York College; one of many positions he held in higher education before coming to St. Mary's. A memorial service was held at the Church of the Covenant, 301 East 42nd Street in New York at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 22.
________________

The Rev. Dr. James Renwick Jackson, Jr., age 83, passed away on July 13, 2012 in New York City.
He was born on October 10, 1928 in Philadelphia, a son of the late Rev. Dr. James Renwick Jackson, Sr., and Agnes McMullan Jackson.
Ren moved to Erie in 1944, when his father was appointed minister at the First Presbyterian Church. Ren graduated from Strong Vincent High School in 1945, Westminster College in Pennsylvania, where he ran track, in 1949, and Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey in 1952. When his father fell ill, Ren made the long trip home from Princeton each weekend to lead morning and evening services on Sundays in Erie. He was ordained by the Presbytery of Erie in 1952 and went on to complete a PhD at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland in 1957.
Ren served as a minister at churches in England, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York, and he worked as a Director for the National Conference of Christians and Jews. He became Professor of Christian Education at New Brunswick Theological Seminary in 1962, then Dean of Students and Professor of History at Queensborough Community College of the City University of New York in 1965. Ren assumed the same positions at York College CUNY in 1967, and he became Professor of Religious Studies at Hunter College CUNY in 1968. In 1969, Ren was appointed President of St. Mary's College of Maryland. During his thirteen-year tenure, he transformed a two-year seminary into an excellent four-year public college of liberal education.
After leaving St. Mary's in 1982, Ren returned to the ministry. He wrote several books, including "The Golden Run: The Story of St. Mary's College of Maryland, 1968-1982" (2002), "Last Summer with Agnes" (2006), and "Dancing with Hurricanes" (2006). His last post was at the Church of the Covenant in New York City, where he preached for the last time on Easter Sunday 2011.
Ren was a wonderful counselor, a dynamic speaker, a charismatic leader, and a joyful presence. One of his favorite themes was the life everlasting.
Ren is survived by his sister, Agnes Jackson Wilson of Erie; his brother, Walter Thomas Jackson II of Stuart, Fla.; and four children: Taj Jackson of New York City; James Renwick Jackson III of Newport, R.I.; Timothy Jackson of Missoula, Mont.; and Sarah Jackson of Sydney, Australia.
A memorial service was held at the Church of the Covenant in New York City on July 22, 2012.

Published in the Erie Times-News on August 29, 2012