Life of dedication
Thoughts of admiration and gratefulness surround family, SHSU faculty and students with passing of Dr. James E. Gilmore
Meagan Ellsworth - Associate Editor
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: Campus News
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Black and gold with letters stretched proudly across its chest, this key is the focal point of the academic endowment park at the north entrance of the Smith-Hutson Business Building.
This key is Gilmore's gift.
Last week on Nov. 8, Sam Houston State University said goodbye to Dr. James E. Gilmore.
"There is perhaps no other SHSU alumnus whose life has been so intricately woven into the fabric of Sam Houston State University as that of James Gilmore. For more than 40 years, he has touched the lives of literally thousands of SHSU students while making indelible contributions to the educational quality of the university" Today at Sam press release said in 1998.
Born on April 7, 1926 in Port Arthur, TX, Gilmore graduated from Silsbee High school and was drafted into the army, during World War II, where he toured the Philippines.
After being honorably discharged, young Gilmore made his way to Sam Houston State University.
In 1949, Gilmore earned his bachelor of Business Administration degree from SHSU, and went on to teach business at Buna High School until 1956. He then returned to Sam in 1957, earning his Masters of Arts degree and began teaching as a Professor of Finance.
In 1965, back when IBM was the "blue chip of blue chip stocks," a young freshman sat in the business building at Sam Houston State University contemplating about a symbol selling much higher then the other stocks on the list.
"Its symbol was IBMit, or something similar. Without thinking it through, as I should, I shot my hand up and asked Dr. Gilmore what stock that was selling so high," Dr. James Gaertner, Sam Houston State University President said.
"He paused and said, 'well Jim, that's IBM' and quickly went to another subject to limit my embarrassment in front of the class," Gaertner said.
From the time he was a 19 year old student until he was a 65 year old president, Gaertner said Gilmore was a "great mentor and friend."
While his career began as a professor, Gilmore also went on to become the chair of the department of General Business and Finance; the Associate Dean of the College of Business Administration; Dean of the College of Business Administration; and Vice President of Academic Affairs.
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