Longwood’s Jordan set to retire
Published 10:49 am Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Longwood University’s Dr. James Jordan will retire Jan. 1, 2018, after more than 39 years of service so that he may attend to some health problems, as announced on the Facebook page of the Longwood Archaeology Field School on Nov. 21.
Dr. James Jordan
The announcement stated that “through four decades this wise, gentle, kind man has shaped the lives of untold thousands of students with his keen intellect, characteristic wit and good humor. His legacy at Longwood is that of a giant, and he is an example that his colleagues should aspire to emulate. His accomplishments are many, but none as great as that of a teacher who gently guided his students along the pathway of life with patience, care and love.
His work is not yet done, though he will be pursuing it beyond the classroom.”
Highlighting the many achievements and titles associated with Jordan,
Longwood Assistant Vice President for Communications Matthew McWilliams noted that in 2014, “the Longwood University Board of Visitors distinguished Dr. Jordan with the highest honor the governing body can bestow upon a faculty member: the Board of Visitors Distinguished Professorship.”
McWilliams pointed out that Jordan is the former director of the Dr. James W. Jordan Archaeology Field School. He established it in 1980, and it was named for him in 2012.
“At the end of the semester, he will have taught at Longwood for 39.5 years,” McWilliams said.
He added that Jordan was selected as the Virginia Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in 1995 and was one of 11 faculty members throughout the state to receive an Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia in 1992.
“He has received numerous Longwood honors, including the Fuqua Excellence in Teaching Award and the Student-Faculty Recognition Award,” McWilliams continued. “He has served as a naturalist for Virginia State Parks, a technical adviser for the television program ‘Bones’ and, as chief faculty marshal, a familiar figure leading the formal procession and carrying the Longwood mace at academic ceremonies.”
