James E. “Jim” Caswell, the former vice president for student affairs at SMU, died from cancer Monday morning at age 66. Caswell retired in May 2007 after serving 19 years as the vice president for student affairs and served SMU in various capacities for more than 40 years.
“Jim began his affiliation with SMU as one of you – a student – and then devoted his life to the well-being and development of those who would follow him,” SMU President R. Gerald Turner said in an e-mail to the student body. “We will miss his presence among our university family, but his impact on our campus and generations of students will endure.”
Caswell was born in Aztec, N.M., and arrived on campus in the fall of 1959 as a first-year student. He earned the first of his three SMU degrees in 1963 – the Bachelor of Arts in social science. He received his Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1966 and Master of Sacred Theology degree in 1970 from SMU’s Perkins School of Theology.
Caswell worked at the SMU bookstore among other jobs during his time as an undergraduate. He began working for SMU as a graduate residence-hall director from 1964-66. Shortly after he became an instructor in what is now Dedman College and began working his way up, serving as the university’s dean of men, dean of residential living and dean of student life.
“Jim was calm and unflappable, two prerequisites for his position,” board of trustee member Ruth Sharp Altshuler said. “He made SMU a better place.”
During this time, Caswell earned two degrees from Columbia University: a Master of Arts in student personnel services in 1972 and a Doctor of Education in higher and adult education in 1978.
Caswell was appointed vice president for student affairs in 1988 before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65 in 2007.
Shortly before Caswell retired in May, doctors diagnosed him with esophageal and stomach cancer. On June 7, Caswell underwent surgery to remove the growths. The procedure successfully removed the cancer that was visible to doctors, but Caswell also had parts of his esophagus and stomach removed.
Shortly after the surgery, doctors discovered that the cancer had spread from the initial site of diagnosis and initiated rounds of chemotherapy.
“It was the only way the cancer could be treated,” Chaplain William Finnin said, who was friends with Caswell.
The chemo treatments lasted throughout the summer, but at their conclusion doctors discovered that the chemo did not remove of all the cancer.
Caswell was scheduled to begin another round of chemo about a month ago when doctors discovered the cancer had spread to his chest and lungs and had become untreatable.
Caswell served as a link between SMU and the Methodist Church. He was an ordained minister and served the Church as a member of the Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry for the New Mexico Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Caswell’s honors and awards include two Outstanding Administrator Awards from the SMU Student Senate in 1985 and 1992, as well as a 1975 “M” Award, SMU’s highest honor for outstanding service to the university.
Caswell is survived by wife Jackie; son James Robert, and his wife Debbie of San Antonio; son Benjamin, and his wife, Ingrid of Los Angeles.
There will be a memorial service this Thursday at 1 p.m. at Highland Park United Methodist Church with a reception scheduled to follow.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Jim Caswell Endowment for Leadership Development and Training at SMU or the American Cancer Society. For more information on the Leadership endowment, contact Bonner Allen at 214-768-2986 or [email protected].
