On Feb. 11, Dr. James Lucas lost a short battle with a very aggressive form of colon cancer, and MSU lost a deeply valued member of our community. Jim arrived at MSU in 1991 as an undergraduate in James Madison College and continued his lifelong learning and work at our institution. He left a tremendous legacy, rising over three and a half decades from an MSU freshman to Senior Associate Dean in the Office of Undergraduate Education.
Jim devoted his career to supporting students’ discovery and pursuit of their passions. He was one of the most traveled people I have ever known, and he led dozens of education abroad trips with thousands of students to nearly every continent. His academic work focused on issues of equity and sustainability, both of which were rooted in his desire to leave the world better than he found it.
I had the great fortune of working closely with Jim over the last eight years. On paper, Jim officially reported to me during most of our time working together, but he was always much more of a mentor to me than I could ever be to him. Together with the team in the Office of Undergraduate Education, we did our part to help navigate MSU through the aftermath of the Nassar scandal, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the tragic events of Feb. 13, 2023. Jim was a brilliant field general; his knowledge of university policy, his values, and his many close relationships with people across campus made him invaluable when decisions needed to be made.
There has been an outpouring of love and affection for Jim during his illness and after his death that reflects his powerful influence on so many people. We will celebrate Jim’s life and legacy at an event on campus on March 17 in the MSU Union Ballroom from 10 a.m. to noon. Everyone is welcome—I hope you will join us.
Learn more about Jim's legacy and how to donate in his honor.
