(1924-2000)
John M. Bevan “Jack” was born December 5, 1924, in
Wilkes-Barre, PA, the son of William and Elizabeth Jones Bevan. He remained proud of his strong Welsh heritage
throughout his life and was known for the colorful bowties he wore daily. Nothing, however, prepared one for the
overpowering baritone voice that filled the room when he rose to speak.
Sometimes referred to by faculty as “the burning bush,” he ignited challenge
after challenge to his colleagues and students alike. “The greatest unused resource we have in this
country is the minds of young people,” he said and his goal was for the
academic community to teach those young minds how to be great thinkers and
decision makers for their generation and generations to come.
Jack Bevan received his AB from Franklin and Marshall
College, and his BD, MA and PHD degrees from Duke University. In addition, he was awarded honorary Doctor
of Science and Doctor of Law Degrees. He was the founding academic vice-president of
Florida Presbyterian College (later named Eckerd College) in St. Petersburg,
Florida, and for the rest of his life cherished the memory of the talented
faculty he was able to bring together to establish one of most unique curricula
in the country. He served in similar
capacities at the College of Charleston, Charleston, SC, Davidson College in
Davidson, NC, and the University of the Pacific, Stockton, California. Prior to moving into administration, he had
been a professor of psychology at Heidelberg College, Davidson College, and
Duke University. Dr. Bevan served as
Executive Director of the Charleston Higher Education Consortium and as an
adjunct professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
School of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina prior to his
retirement in 1986.
Dr. Bevan is remembered for his innovative approaches to
education, his motivational challenges to members in the academic community and
his dynamic oratory. He developed the
first 4-1-4 programs, which were later adopted by countless universities across
the country, the first undergraduate Teacher Corps Program and one of the three
initial Upward Bound Programs. He
developed the Governor’s School of South Carolina and the South Carolina
Professional Development Program for Science and Mathematics Teachers. He traveled extensively in Asia and helped
develop academic programs in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and India.
Committed to community service and each individual’s
responsibility to leave the world a better place, Dr. Bevan continued his work
after retiring. He became a member of
the Board of Trustees of Thornwell Home and School for Children, a member of
the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity and Covenant House, a member of
the Sumter Rotary and Fortnightly Clubs as well as the Cosmos Club of
Washington, DC. He was recognized by
the alumni at Eckerd College by having the faculty lounge named in his
honor. In addition the Bevan Memorial
Scholarship is awarded annually to rising juniors who are a catalyst for
positive innovative programs within the college and community at large.
Dr. Bevan married Louise Dabbs Bevan from the Salem Black
River Community in South Carolina in 1946.
While he worked tirelessly “to save the world and get it done before
next Friday,” as often quoted, Louise supported him throughout and moved
forward to complete several of his projects following his death. Together they had four children: Brenda Bevan Remmes, married to William
Remmes; Elizabeth K. Bevan married to
Dan Clodfelter; John M. Bevan, Jr.
married to Kathryn Romanik, and Megan Anne Bevan, (1958-2004). In addition he is survived by six
grandchildren: Nicholas Remmes, Evan
Remmes, Julia Clodfelter, Catherine Clodfelter, Alexandra Bevan and J. Rhys
Bevan. Dr. Bevan was a member and elder
at Salem Black River Presbyterian Church in the Salem Black River Community
where his remains are interred. He is
remembered as generous man of high principles who expected nothing less than
the best effort possible from all who knew him.
