TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE UPON THE PASSING OF DR. JAMES "JIM" WAYNE LEMKE AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, Dr. James "Jim" Wayne Lemke passed away at the age of sixty-seven on January 26, 2014; and

Whereas, Lemke was a scholar, a sought-after political strategist, author, coach, mentor and community leader; and

Whereas, born in Chicago, Illinois, he was the son of Albert Wayne and Joan Hermes Lemke; and

Whereas, a 1969 graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University, Lemke received a degree in political science and a minor in history. Lemke went on to earn a doctor of philosophy in political science from Louisiana State University; and

Whereas, a member of the Coker College faculty since 1973, Lemke was the only professor tenured in two disciplines; and

Whereas, since 2010, Lemke had spearheaded the annual Celebration of Academics, a week-long campus-wide event that showcases faculty and faculty-mentored scholarship in the liberal arts and sciences; and

Whereas, in April 2013, Lemke was honored to receive the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Excellence in Teaching Award. Lemke has received many other honors and awards throughout his career including being named a Master Professor at Coker College, a Visiting Professor of the Preventive Diplomacy Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC, and a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, Pi Gamma Mu and Phi Kappa Phi. He also received a departmental assistantship and a National Defense Education Act Fellowship while he was at Louisiana State University; and

Whereas, Lemke pursued research interests including contemporary political theory, history of political thought, and political parties and international politics. Lemke served as an editor, associate editor and review board member of a number of scholarly journals including "Humanity and Society" and "Louisiana State University Journal of Sociology"; and

Whereas, in 2002, Lemke aided Senator Gerald Malloy in running his re-election campaign to the State Senate; and

Whereas, in 2003, Lemke helped establish the Coker College Center for Research in Leadership and Community Development, a laboratory for a variety of community development and leadership programs. Lemke was a passionate champion for effective youth development initiatives in Florence and Darlington Counties. Building on this work, Lemke helped establish a partnership between Coker College and the TBS Learning Center in McBee that now includes an annual multigenerational leadership conference; and

Whereas, at the time of his passing, Lemke served as the director of the Coker College Center for Research in Leadership and Community Development as well as a member of the Budget Committee of the Coker College Faculty Senate and as an assistant coach to the men's and women's golf teams; and

Whereas, during his time at Coker College, Lemke touched nearly every aspect of the institution, and the impact of his personal service to students, colleagues, and the public extended throughout the community and state; and

Whereas, Lemke leaves behind a wife of thirty years, Harriett Courtney Lemke, his mother and father of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, sisters Cindy (Brad) Black, Patty (Mike) O'Neal, and Suzy (Don) Nauck, all of Baton Rouge, and a brother Rick Lemke of Nashville, Tennessee. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Dr. James "Jim" Wayne Lemke and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the family of Dr. James "Jim" Wayne Lemke.