University of Virginia Library

Cole

Of all the University of Virginia deans,
James W. Cole Jr. is responsible for the
most versatile and far-flung body of students.

For the past 10 years Mr. Cole has been
dean of the School of General Studies, a
branch of the University which reaches
throughout the State to meet the needs of
adults who want to learn. From his Madison
Hall headquarters in Charlottesville, Mr.
Cole supervises, a program which brings
people back to school for evening studies
from Abingdon to Hampton Roads to Warrenton.

Mr. Cole will retire on August 31 as dean,
continuing on the University faculty as professor
of chemistry. He has been associated
with the University since coming her as a
student to receive his B.S. in chemistry in
1932. He went on to earn his master's and
Ph.D. in chemistry and began teaching at
the University in 1937 and since then has
written textbooks on general chemistry and
several articles in the field of education.

James W. Cole, Jr.

Terminates Far-Flung Duty

He has served for the past year as president
of the Virginia Academy of Science
and is a director of the National Science
Foundation Institute programs for teachers
of the sciences and mathematics and serves
as a consultant to NSF.

During Mr. Cole's years as dean, the
School of General Studies has doubled the
size of its program and now provides
courses taken by more than 25,000 persons
each year in nearly 100 Virginia communities.

Broadened Course Work

Under Mr. Cole's leadership, the school
has broadened course work in its continuing
education program for adults to include
college credit study in a number of areas
of the sciences and humanities. Students of
all ages working toward degrees register at
centers throughout the state in September
and January for such courses as advanced
engineering mathematics, economics, religions
of the world, abnormal psychology
and calculus.

Continuing education for other adults
means a wide schedule of non-credit courses
to choose from. A housewife may sharpen
her literary flair in a short story writing
class. A secretary learns enough French to
ask directions and order meals, smoothly
on a trip to Paris. A businessman studies
the theory of chess play and has a new
hobby.

Successor Named

Andre C. de Porry, director of extension
for the School of General Studies, has been
named dean to succeed Mr. Cole.

Mr. de Porry became director of general
extension for the school in 1962. For the
past two years he has been state program
director for Title I of the Higher Education
Act of 1965. This program provides comprehensive
financial support to colleges and
universities for community service projects
in such fields as housing, poverty, recreation
and employment.

Hardy C. Dillard

More Than Administrator