Donor Shares Passion for Learning

 

Jimmie Nelson, who graduated from the University of Miami in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, believed that higher education is not a means to an end but rather the basis of a lifelong journey. Now, aided by his generous donation of $235,000 – given to the College of Arts and Sciences with half directed to the Department of Chemistry – University of Miami students for many generations to come may be similarly prepared for that journey.

Nelson, who passed away on July 13, 2007, at age 72, “loved to learn,” said his wife Kathleen. And because “he enjoyed the time he spent at UM studying chemistry, Jim wanted to give other students the same opportunities he had.”

Vaidhyanathan Ramamurthy (Murthy), chair of the Department of chemistry, expressed great appreciation for Nelson’s gift. “Our goal is to provide students with the best possible training,” said Murthy. “These gifts help us to meet this goal by enabling us to purchase state-of-the-art equipment and improve our teaching laboratories.”

There’s no doubt that chemistry was Nelson’s favorite subject. According to Kathleen, he had such fond memories of his time as a University of Miami chemistry major that he kept all of his textbooks as mementos. “He even brought me back to visit the campus and he showed me where all of his old classes had been,” she said.

But Nelson’s interests were not limited to chemistry. He enjoyed dismantling and rebuilding diesel engines; he loved to read; and he was fascinated by art history. “He always wanted to return to college to pursue a degree in art history,” said Kathleen.

Although Nelson wasn’t able to formally study art history, his donation will provide resources for those who do. Fifty-percent of his gift will go to the College of Arts and Sciences to provide resources for students, including those majoring in art and art history. “Donations by alumni and other friends are a very important source of support for the college,” said Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Michael R. Halleran. “They allow us to provide our students with the high-quality education they deserve. This gift will help us to expand our first-year seminar program.”

After graduating from the University of Miami, Nelson, received a medical degree from Tulane University in 1963, completed his internship in Wichita, Kansas, and spent the next four years working as a general practitioner in Hubbard, Texas. He then completed a radiology residency at Louisiana’s Ochsner Clinic and began work at Terrebonne General Medical Center in Houma, Louisiana, where he remained until he retired.

After having devoted 30 years to the practice of medicine, Nelson retired in 1998. In addition to devoting time to his hobbies, he also spent as much time as possible interacting with and learning from others, ever a source of joy and satisfaction for him – and for them. “Jim was such a fun-loving guy,” said Kathleen. “He was well-liked by everyone.”