Tributes to Faculty
Dean Emeritus James F. Kane
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In Memoriam
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My heart is saddened by the loss of a gifted dean - with extraordinary talents and gifts - and
a friend.
When he recruited me in 1973 to manage his new computer laboratory, I was astounded by his enthusiasm, his vision for the School of Business (as it was called), and his complete dedication in expanding the role and contributions of our school.
It was a joy to work for him in those years as we witnessed a dramatic turnaround in our school: two new buildings, new computer technology, a world-class IMBA program, and bright, new faculty excelling in research and teaching.
His service and contributions to the people of South Carolina are immeasurable so that his legacy will become an indelible mark in the mozaic of our state's history.
It was a privilege and honor to know him, and to have served our state through his visionary and dynamic leadership.
To me, Jim, you will always be The Dean.
"Good night, Sweet Prince, and a fleet of angels sing thy rest."
Al Corbett
Professor Emeritus
When he recruited me in 1973 to manage his new computer laboratory, I was astounded by his enthusiasm, his vision for the School of Business (as it was called), and his complete dedication in expanding the role and contributions of our school.
It was a joy to work for him in those years as we witnessed a dramatic turnaround in our school: two new buildings, new computer technology, a world-class IMBA program, and bright, new faculty excelling in research and teaching.
His service and contributions to the people of South Carolina are immeasurable so that his legacy will become an indelible mark in the mozaic of our state's history.
It was a privilege and honor to know him, and to have served our state through his visionary and dynamic leadership.
To me, Jim, you will always be The Dean.
"Good night, Sweet Prince, and a fleet of angels sing thy rest."
Al Corbett
Professor Emeritus
Dean Kane did a lot of wonderful things for the School Of Business. He literally put us
on the map and was instrumental in our gaining national recognition for excellence. Just
as importantly, he appreciated the people who worked for and with him. He always greeted me
by name and asked how I was doing. He knew how to listen and made you feel appreciated.
He was one of a kind and will be missed.
Harriett Henschel
Retired Staff Member
Harriett Henschel
Retired Staff Member
This is the end of an era. He really built the school of business and had a positive
impact on many people along the way...including me. He was a towering figure.
Richard Netemeyer, PhD 1986
University of Virginia
Richard Netemeyer, PhD 1986
University of Virginia
I am truly saddened by the passing of Dean Kane. We all will take that path, but it
never is expected. He had an immense influence on me during my years at USC. I never
was a great student, and I have told the story MANY times that when I finally made it to the
dissertation stage--at that very moment the new Rec Center was opened with brand new handball
courts. Dean Kane made the deal with me that I could play handball IF I wrote at least 3
pages that day. Some days I did and I played, some days I didn't, and I didn't play. Here was
the DEAN making a deal with a simple Ph.D. student! But I never forgot it, and it was because
of him, and others, that I completed the degree. I will miss his presence on this earth--as
will many.
May he rest in peace,
Mike Shaner, Ph.D. 1974
May he rest in peace,
Mike Shaner, Ph.D. 1974
I wish I could be there to help send him off, but I can't. Anyway, memories of our time
at Harlingen AFB are still vivid. God bless Jim's children and loved ones.
Arney Strickland, Professor retired
Lamar University
Beaumont, Texas
Arney Strickland, Professor retired
Lamar University
Beaumont, Texas
I was surprised and saddened to learn of the death of my friend and mentor. Jim was an
outstanding Dean and impacted the lives and careers of numerous students and faculty.
I was one of his early hires, coming to South Carolina in 1969 as an Assistant Professor of Finance when the College was still located on Bull Street. Throughout my stay at South Carolina, I was able to observe how he developed a close personal relationship with the business community through the establishment of the Business Partnership Foundation and used this relationship to help him build a first class business school. When I left South Carolina in 1981 to become Dean of the University of Kentucky College of Business and Economics, I asked Jim to come to Kentucky to help me “learn the ropes”. We immediately established the University of Kentucky Business Partnership Foundation using the South Carolina Foundation as a model. During my early years as Dean, I often called Jim for advice and counsel. It is not a coincidence that several other South Carolina faculty members left South Carolina to become Deans at other Universities (Jim Henry, Bill Mobley, Tim Hollingsworth, etc.) We all learned from one of the truly great Deans.
All of us hope to do something worthwhile with our lives. Jim certainly did with his life. He built a truly excellent business school and thereby has influenced the lives of thousands of graduates, and he served as a mentor for many of us that went on to careers at other institutions. I will always be grateful for his friendship and for his impact on my career.
Dick Furst, Dean Emeritus
Gatton College of Business and Economics
University of Kentucky
I was one of his early hires, coming to South Carolina in 1969 as an Assistant Professor of Finance when the College was still located on Bull Street. Throughout my stay at South Carolina, I was able to observe how he developed a close personal relationship with the business community through the establishment of the Business Partnership Foundation and used this relationship to help him build a first class business school. When I left South Carolina in 1981 to become Dean of the University of Kentucky College of Business and Economics, I asked Jim to come to Kentucky to help me “learn the ropes”. We immediately established the University of Kentucky Business Partnership Foundation using the South Carolina Foundation as a model. During my early years as Dean, I often called Jim for advice and counsel. It is not a coincidence that several other South Carolina faculty members left South Carolina to become Deans at other Universities (Jim Henry, Bill Mobley, Tim Hollingsworth, etc.) We all learned from one of the truly great Deans.
All of us hope to do something worthwhile with our lives. Jim certainly did with his life. He built a truly excellent business school and thereby has influenced the lives of thousands of graduates, and he served as a mentor for many of us that went on to careers at other institutions. I will always be grateful for his friendship and for his impact on my career.
Dick Furst, Dean Emeritus
Gatton College of Business and Economics
University of Kentucky
As an undergraduate and MBA student and later as Marketing Director of the Daniel
Management Center, I crossed paths with Dean Kane often. He probably didn't know my name,
but I certainly knew his. My most vivid memory of him is in shift sleeves
animated about something and moving at lightning speed and talking about as fast. If
something needed to be done, it was simple---he made sure it was done. He was not a figure
head, he was a player!
He was passionate about what he did, and everyone knew it. I was the beneficiary of his work, and I greatly appreciate the education I received and know the reputation of the College of Business, which it was when I was there, was the result of his efforts.
I offer my condolenses to his family. Please know he will not be forgotten.
Joan E. Hillman, B.S. 1981; MBA 1985
He was passionate about what he did, and everyone knew it. I was the beneficiary of his work, and I greatly appreciate the education I received and know the reputation of the College of Business, which it was when I was there, was the result of his efforts.
I offer my condolenses to his family. Please know he will not be forgotten.
Joan E. Hillman, B.S. 1981; MBA 1985
Dean Kane had a global mind. He opened a scholarship program for staffs of the Bank of
Korea in 1975, and I was one of the first recipients.
We will not forget him.
Sleep in Peace.
Jung Duk Lim, Ph. D 1981
Pusan National University, Korea
We will not forget him.
Sleep in Peace.
Jung Duk Lim, Ph. D 1981
Pusan National University, Korea
My name is Eleanor (Ellie) Beardsley, and I grew up next door to Jim Kane. He is the
step father of my best friend, Missy, and he and D'Ann were like my second parents. I spent
half my life at their house. Jim was a wonderful father figure, neighbor and friend and I
have such fond memories of living on Wolfe Circle together. My memories of him changed with my
age. As a teenager, he wowed us all by building a swimming pool in the backyard. As I
got older, Jim inspired me to enter the MIBS (Masters in International Business) program at USC
that he had personally helped found. I had always studied French, and Jim opened my eyes to
the opportunities of combining business studies with French. So I entered MIBS and it truly
changed the course of my life. Today I live in France and am reporting for NPR radio. I
often do business reports and always think of how those studies opened up so many new opportunities
for me. Jim inspired all the kids in the neighborhood to do something with themselves.
He was always interested about what our plans were, what we wanted to do with our lives. He
engaged us in grown-up conversations and he treated us like adults even when we probably didn't
deserve it!
Later I saw Jim several times in France when he would visit with D'Ann. That was always a pleasure as I could show them around "my city," Paris. I think Jim was proud of me. And I have a special last memory of him. In a May 2006 trip to France we (Jim, D'Ann and I) were supposed to go out to dinner in Paris. But I couldn't because I was in the hospital as I had just given birth to my first child! S o Jim and D'Ann came by the little Catholic clinic and visited me with my new son Maxime. I will always remember that.
I will miss Jim Kane but feel lucky to have known him. He certainly touched my life in many ways.
Ellie Beardsley
Reporter, NPR Radio
Later I saw Jim several times in France when he would visit with D'Ann. That was always a pleasure as I could show them around "my city," Paris. I think Jim was proud of me. And I have a special last memory of him. In a May 2006 trip to France we (Jim, D'Ann and I) were supposed to go out to dinner in Paris. But I couldn't because I was in the hospital as I had just given birth to my first child! S o Jim and D'Ann came by the little Catholic clinic and visited me with my new son Maxime. I will always remember that.
I will miss Jim Kane but feel lucky to have known him. He certainly touched my life in many ways.
Ellie Beardsley
Reporter, NPR Radio
You all knew him as the Dean, but we called him Dad. To hear and read how he touched so
many lives makes us proud but does not surprise us. Dad was a man that treated all people the same.
It didn't matter whether you were the President or the garbage collector; everyone was treated
equally. He gave people opportunities to develop their own potential and was always willing
to help guide you. He believed in the good of people. Our Dad lived and breathed the
vision that he had for the business school. The school stands today as his legacy. We
are so proud and stand in awe of this ordinary man with extraordinary talent.
To say he will be missed is an understatement. As his children, we are rejoicing in that fact that one day we will be together again for all eternity in heaven and that brings us peace and comfort. Knowing Dad as we do, he has already had a meeting with God and is busy fund raising and buildling new buildings!
Rest in peace, our precious Dad. You are loved dearly, and we miss you.
Kathleen Kane
To say he will be missed is an understatement. As his children, we are rejoicing in that fact that one day we will be together again for all eternity in heaven and that brings us peace and comfort. Knowing Dad as we do, he has already had a meeting with God and is busy fund raising and buildling new buildings!
Rest in peace, our precious Dad. You are loved dearly, and we miss you.
Kathleen Kane
Some of my favorite memories of USC will be the time I spent working and studying in the
College of Business. At graduation, Dean Kane was wildly applauded when he was announced to
assist the university president in congratulating us as we walked across the stage. I don't
think any other college on campus was as tight knit as we were, and no other Dean was cheered for
like Dean Kane. All of the students loved him, and I knew from working at the College of
Business that he was the man responsible for the outstanding facilities and faculty that served us
well.
Thank you Dean Kane and God Bless.
Martha Moultrie Gerrick, B.S. - Finance, 1990
Thank you Dean Kane and God Bless.
Martha Moultrie Gerrick, B.S. - Finance, 1990
Jim has been one of my closest friends for over 40 years. We met at Washington
University in St. Louis when we were both in the doctoral program in Business. Jim and I
shared a "cubicle" (they said it was an "office") and for over a year we both taught accounting
subjects. Finally, Jim decided to ask the Associate Dean, Art Mason, if he would hire a
marketing faculty member who had taught only accounting courses. When Dean Mason gave his
colorful reply, Jim then said, "Then you'd better let me teach some marketing courses".
Jim came to USC while I was teaching at Emory University, and he began working on me to consider USC. Many, many phone calls and 22 years later, he was successful in getting me to move to Columbia. Our entire family has always been grateful to Jim for his persistence and friendship in convincing us that USC is where we should be. We came in 1986, and these years with Dean Kane have been the best years of our professional life.
I will miss Jim so much. The halls of the Moore School of Business will ring hollow without his presence.
God Bless You, Jim Kane.
Gary Luoma
Distinguished Professor Emeritus, School of Accounting
Jim came to USC while I was teaching at Emory University, and he began working on me to consider USC. Many, many phone calls and 22 years later, he was successful in getting me to move to Columbia. Our entire family has always been grateful to Jim for his persistence and friendship in convincing us that USC is where we should be. We came in 1986, and these years with Dean Kane have been the best years of our professional life.
I will miss Jim so much. The halls of the Moore School of Business will ring hollow without his presence.
God Bless You, Jim Kane.
Gary Luoma
Distinguished Professor Emeritus, School of Accounting
I was deeply saddened to read in the Spartanburg
Herald-Journal the notice of Dean Kane's passing. I went to work in the Secretarial
Center of the College of Business Administration right after graduating from USC, a couple of years
before the college expanded and moved to its present location. We secretaries would be in a
flutter whenever Dean Kane came by! I continued with the College until the spring of 1980,
and treasured the friendships I made among staff and faculty. But I was always more than a
little in awe of Dean Kane. He always seemed larger than life to me, in his physical presence
and his accomplishments. My heartfelt sympathies go out to D'Ann and the family.
Lynn Galloway Carlsen
Lynn Galloway Carlsen
If you were privileged to meet Dean James F. Kane, you immediately knew what a great man he
was. The energy surrounding him was both exciting and infectious. He was a real person
with exceptional leadership abilities. The closer I get to my own retirement--the more I
realize how rare and unique he was. Jim Kane will always be missed--and never forgotten.
Ginger Wingo Josey Reed,
Asst. to USC Presidents Patterson 1975-'77 and Holderman 1977-'81
Ginger Wingo Josey Reed,
Asst. to USC Presidents Patterson 1975-'77 and Holderman 1977-'81
The book,
Vision and Will, comes to mind when thinking about Jim. Such a brilliant thinker and
innovator! Visionary leader with the will to implement -- he got it done! The MIBS program
startup in the early 1970s is a great example of his leadership. Unfortunately, Jim's great
ability to combine vision with astute implementation skills is rare among deans. He did what
Clayton Christenson observed years later as almost always a necessity for accomplishing dynamic
innovations; for example, Jim created a unique and separate unit of business school faculty for
starting up the MIBS Program.
Lots of special moments come-to-mind whenever I think of Jim--including some great fights we had over both hiring and not hiring new faculty. Jim's tenure as USC CBA Dean remains a watershed era -- providing a solid foundation for great intellectual achievements by the Moore School and a continual emotional high for USC business graduates.
Gracious, full-of-fun, hard-working, setting very high goals for himself, faculty, and students--James Kane lives always in the hearts and minds of so many fortunate people to have met him.
Arch G. Woodside, Professor of Marketing, Boston College
Lots of special moments come-to-mind whenever I think of Jim--including some great fights we had over both hiring and not hiring new faculty. Jim's tenure as USC CBA Dean remains a watershed era -- providing a solid foundation for great intellectual achievements by the Moore School and a continual emotional high for USC business graduates.
Gracious, full-of-fun, hard-working, setting very high goals for himself, faculty, and students--James Kane lives always in the hearts and minds of so many fortunate people to have met him.
Arch G. Woodside, Professor of Marketing, Boston College
Dr. Kane was a thoughtful and kind professor. I only had him for one semester but even
in this short time you could tell her cared about his students. He will be missed.
Justin Young
Justin Young
Thanks Dean Kane for all you did to support the PhD Program at USC.
Michael, all the best - your Dad was a great guy and the epitome of what a Dean should be. I'm sure that all the PhD grads that he and his policies spawned would agree.
Frank DuBois
PhD-1989 International Business
Chair Dept of Intl Business
American University
Washington, DC
Michael, all the best - your Dad was a great guy and the epitome of what a Dean should be. I'm sure that all the PhD grads that he and his policies spawned would agree.
Frank DuBois
PhD-1989 International Business
Chair Dept of Intl Business
American University
Washington, DC
I can’t believe that Jim is gone. Jim Kane was so towering a figure that it was easy to
naively believe that he would be with us forever.
I joined the College of Business in 1973. During that period the faculty was still small enough for the Dean to have annual “memo meetings” with each faculty member. In these sessions I was always impressed with Jim’s helpfulness and his ability to motivate a young Assistant Professor. When you needed a contact, Jim would make the call. When you needed support for a project, Jim would write the check. And when you needed advice, Jim would tell you the truth.
We will all remember Jim’s grand achievements: the school he built, the programs he established, the faculty he assembled, and the reputation he created. However, his greatest legacy lives on in the legion of people whose lives he transformed. People, like me, who say, “I wouldn’t be where I am today without Jim.”
Rest in peace.
Bruce M. Meglino
Professor of Management
I joined the College of Business in 1973. During that period the faculty was still small enough for the Dean to have annual “memo meetings” with each faculty member. In these sessions I was always impressed with Jim’s helpfulness and his ability to motivate a young Assistant Professor. When you needed a contact, Jim would make the call. When you needed support for a project, Jim would write the check. And when you needed advice, Jim would tell you the truth.
We will all remember Jim’s grand achievements: the school he built, the programs he established, the faculty he assembled, and the reputation he created. However, his greatest legacy lives on in the legion of people whose lives he transformed. People, like me, who say, “I wouldn’t be where I am today without Jim.”
Rest in peace.
Bruce M. Meglino
Professor of Management
Reflecting on Jim Kane’s many contributions to the School of Business, the University, and the
community, I am reminded of the words of Robert Kennedy:
“Some men see things as they are and say why.
“I dream things that never were and say why not.”
Jim asked “why not” build a world class business school in South Carolina? True to his nature, Jim dedicated his time and energy to put the business school on the national and global map. Along the way, as many have noted, he was a visionary, a mentor to many, a respected teacher and a vibrant, caring individual. As Dean, Jim was always a leader, sometimes a warrior and on more than one occasion, a magician. Jim Kane, man of many talents, will be both greatly missed and long remembered. May Jim’s family take comfort in the knowledge that Jim “made a difference” in the lives of thousands of students, faculty, staff, and friends. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to work with Jim and to support, in a small way, the vision that forever transformed the School of Business.
Carolyn S. Jones
Colleague
Assistant Dean, Moore School of Business
“Some men see things as they are and say why.
“I dream things that never were and say why not.”
Jim asked “why not” build a world class business school in South Carolina? True to his nature, Jim dedicated his time and energy to put the business school on the national and global map. Along the way, as many have noted, he was a visionary, a mentor to many, a respected teacher and a vibrant, caring individual. As Dean, Jim was always a leader, sometimes a warrior and on more than one occasion, a magician. Jim Kane, man of many talents, will be both greatly missed and long remembered. May Jim’s family take comfort in the knowledge that Jim “made a difference” in the lives of thousands of students, faculty, staff, and friends. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to work with Jim and to support, in a small way, the vision that forever transformed the School of Business.
Carolyn S. Jones
Colleague
Assistant Dean, Moore School of Business