Author Archives: classnews

James Gray Smalley ’50

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Mr. James Gray Smalley (class of 1950), age 87, of Albany, New York, passed away March 12, 2015, at Eddy Village Green in Cohoes, New York. He was born September 5, 1927, in East Saint Louis, Illinois, the son of the late Arby and Bessie Gray Smalley.

James Smalley was a professor of foreign languages at Central College in Pella, Iowa, where he taught from 1957 to 1987 and served as department chair for many years. He served in the United States Navy during WWII, and graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1950. He did further graduate work at the University of Illinois and the University of Iowa.

Smalley was a master teacher and linguist who thrived in the college classroom, where he instilled a love of Romance languages in several generations of Central College students.  Dedicated to the study of other languages, he also enjoyed learning German, Italian, and Russian. A gifted translator, he produced several translations of the short stories of the Uruguayan writer Horacio Quiroga. Smalley was also a passionate body builder, who maintained a rigorous weight-lifting and exercise regimen throughout most of his life. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed target shooting, hunting, traveling, taking care of his Kentucky log cabin, and spending time with his family and friends.

James Smalley is survived by his wife, Ann Stamper Smalley, formerly of Emerson, Kentucky; one son and daughter-in-law, John Gray and Perrin Smalley of London, England; one daughter and son-in-law, Ruth Ann Smalley and James Peltz of Albany, New York; and four grandchildren, Thurston Smalley, Owen Smalley, Hannah Peltz Smalley, and William Peltz Smalley. He also leaves many other family and friends who will sadly miss him.

All In for Wesleyan Becomes a Tradition in 2015

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On AI'm-All-In-For-Wesleyan-icon 2014pril 9, Titans of all generations pulled together and showed their pride on the third annual All In For Wesleyan. More than 1,800 gifts of all sizes from 49 states and 17 countries totaled over $500,000 in support of Illinois Wesleyan University and our students. Our collective philanthropy served as an inspiration to the next generation as All In For Wesleyan firmly established itself as an Illinois Wesleyan tradition, both on campus and off. The classes from 1950-1959 had 76 donors on April 9th and donations totaling $36,032.80.

Thank you 1950-1959 Alumni for being “all in” all the time, and for continuing to make Illinois Wesleyan one of your giving priorities. If you have already made your gift this year, thank you! If you have not made your gift this year, I hope that you will join me as a donor and put us one more gift closer to our participation goal. You can make your gift by visiting iwu.edu/give. It is your support that keeps Illinois Wesleyan strong, and develops the next generation of leaders.

Your partner in support,

Van Miller ‘04

Director of Annual Giving

Are you All In For Wesleyan?

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Today is All in for Wesleyan 2015!  All gifts made today will be matched by an anonymous donor (up to $75,000).

And this year, there’s a twist.  Let me explain.

Gifts to the Wesleyan Fund support student financial assistance and also the little, but essential, things that create the Illinois Wesleyan experience.  So today we’re celebrating these little essentials — the unsung heroes.  Make a gift today and your name could appear next to one of these items for a limited time.*

Give today and your name could be selected to grace the hot spot, the WESN microphone, and other pieces of campus that will be announced throughout the day. (Learn more)

Give today and your gift will be matched by an anonymous donor.

Give today and show that you’re proud to be a Titan!