Wayne State mourns the death of Dr. Jack Kay
[UPDATE - February 17, 2015...]
Campus Memorial for Dr. Jack Kay
[UPDATE - January 31, 2015...]
Funeral arrangements for Dr. Jack Kay
Wednesday February 4, 2015
Visitation: 2:00-3:00
Service: 3:00
Ira Kaufman Funeral Home
18325 W. Nine Mile Road
Southfield, MI 48075
For those unable to attend, the service will be webcast live via www.irakaufman.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation made in honor of Dr. Kay to support the Jack Kay Award in Speech at Wayne State University. To make a gift, visit pivotalmoments.wayne.edu or forward donations to Wayne State University Fund Office, 5475 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202.
Dr. Jack Kay, twice graduated from Wayne State University, championed student academic success and the study of communication throughout a thirty year career in higher education
DETROIT (30 Jan., 2015) - With great sadness, Wayne State University announces the death of Dr. Jack Kay who passed January 30, 2015, at age 63.
Dr. Jack Kay was a valuable member of Wayne State University's administration and faculty for fifteen years. His administrative appointments at Wayne State included chair of the Department of Communication, two terms as interim dean of the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts, interim dean of the former College of Urban, Labor and Metropolitan Affairs, associate provost for assessment, retention and global education, and associate provost for student services.
"This is a significant loss to our community," noted Provost Margaret E. Winters. "Jack was the quintessential Wayne State teacher-scholar. He came from a modest background and worked tirelessly to overcome barriers, prejudices and injustice so that others might benefit from higher education."
Jack Kay earned an undergraduate degree in speech and political science at Wayne State University in 1974. He earned a master's degree at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale in 1975 and a PhD in communication at Wayne State University in 1979. He was a member of the nationally recognized WSU debate team and coached the team as a graduate student. He was an associate professor of speech communication at University of Nebraska - Lincoln, where he also served as director of debate and forensics. In 1990 he returned to his alma mater, Wayne State, as a professor of communication and department chair.
Dr. Kay will be remembered for his efforts to promote a culture of student academic success, international activity for students and increasing community engagement. He inaugurated Wayne State's annual Student Academic Success Summit, established the Study Abroad Office, and was a member of the Anthony Wayne Society.
As a communication teacher-scholar, Kay was extensively published in the fields of argumentation, rhetoric and political communication. He researched and spoke on issues such as race, diversity and the language of oppression. He frequently presented on Anti-Semitism on the internet and hate in cyberspace. His publications include the book Argumentation: Inquiry and Advocacy, book chapters, journal articles, and many newspaper editorials. His contribution to doctoral advising was recognized with the Wayne State University Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award in 1998.
In 2005, Kay accepted an appointment as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at University of Michigan - Flint, where he later served as interim chancellor. In 2009 he was named provost and executive vice president at Eastern Michigan University. In 2011 he moved from administration to a professorship in EMU's Department of Communication, Media and Theatre Arts.
He was a past president of the Central States Communication Association, the Michigan Association of Speech Communication, the Nebraska Speech Communication Association, and Delta Sigma Rho / Tau Kappa Alpha.
Services are being arranged through Ira Kaufman Chapel in Southfield, MI; (248) 569-0020. Donations may be made in honor of Dr. Kay to support the Jack Kay Award in Speech at Wayne State University. To make a gift, visit pivotalmoments.wayne.edu or forward donations to Wayne State University Fund Office, 5475 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202.
Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering more than 370 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 28,000 students.
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CONTACT:
David Romas
CFPCA Information Officer
313-577-5448
ac2942@wayne.edu