Our greatest resource as a University remains in special individuals and relationships that affect positive change. One special person who changed my life and many others was Dean Jim McLeod.

A series of memorial events is slated to take place on campus in the coming weeks to commemorate one year since former Dean of Arts & Sciences James E. McLeod passed away. On Sept. 6 of last year, at the age of 67, McLeod passed away due to complications from lung cancer that he had been fighting for two years.

Around 2000 community members gathered on Francis Field between 6 p.m. Saturday, April 14, and 6 a.m. Sunday, April 15, to participate in the University’s 10th annual Relay for Life. Late Saturday evening, the field basked in the glow of candles lit for cancer victims and survivors in the annual Luminaria ceremony, which was dedicated this year to Dean James E.

More than two months have gone by since Dean James McLeod’s passing, and his position at the University has yet to be filled.
The search for a permanent dean of the College of Arts & Sciences has begun with the appointment of an eight-member search committee and the scheduling of two community forums.

As a student at Washington University, it’s kind of hard not to feel Dean James McLeod’s impact. His influence is everywhere—in our classrooms, in our administration and even in our residence halls.

James McLeod, the vice chancellor for students and dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, passed away Tuesday due to kidney failure, a complication of a two-year battle with cancer. McLeod, 67, has been a part of the Washington University community since 1974, and was named dean of the College of Arts & Sciences.

You can do anything. Never underestimate yourself. That is what Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Vice Chancellor for Students James Earl McLeod tried to teach every student that he came into contact with. Whenever he met a student, McLeod would always go out of his way to learn about him or her.