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In Memory: Dr. James T. Covert, April 20, 1932 – October 13, 2016

October 26, 2016 By Carolyn

Dr. James Covert, 1994 (University Archives)
Dr. James Covert, 1994 (University Archives)

Professor Emeritus, Historian, and Pride of the Bluff, Dr. James T. Covert, passed away October 13, 2016 following complications from a stroke suffered earlier in the summer.   Aged 84, Dr. Covert was a UP alumnus as well as a professional and institutional pillar of the modern University of Portland.

Infused with Pilot Purple since his arrival on campus in 1955, but living off-campus as a married freshman and graduating on-schedule B.A. ’59, the young history major was a man in a hurry, soon returning to the Bluff in 1961 as a member of the history faculty while pursuing a doctorate at the University of Oregon.  A popular teacher of European history, Dr. Covert’s former students credit him as an inspiring teacher who fueled their love of history.  Dr. Covert spent his entire academic career at UP, retiring with emeriti rank in 1997.   His service to UP includes time as department chair and on numerous faculty committees.  His service to students extended from the classroom to acting as Faculty Representative for Athletics for twenty-three years (nineteen years as member of the executive committee of the West Coast Athletic Conference).   He received the Culligan Award in 1967, Alumnus of the Year Award in 1976, and the Outstanding Teacher Award in 1986.  Together with his wife, Sally, the family created the James T. Covert Family Endowed Scholarship, providing direct support to UP student life.  Eighteen students have received the scholarship since 1996.

Dr. Covert also founded “The Order of the Blue Carbuncle” (Sherlock Holmes Society) in 1971, mentioned because, naturally, his Holmes pipe and deerstalker cap are on display in the University of Portland Museum.

Commissioned to write the University of Portland history for the University’s Seventy-Fifth Anniversary in 1976, Dr. Covert brought his experience as a UP student and as a faculty member to his task.  The finished product “A Point of Pride: The University of Portland Story” has graced the bookshelves of many UP alumni and friends since.   After writing of “A Point of Pride“, Covert began saving pieces and treasures of University history from alumni and friends and he became  – by default? – the founder and first director of the University of Portland Museum (October 15, 1992).  Still carrying on Dr. Covert’s vision to preserve UP’s past for future generations to come, the Heritage Room in 14 Shipstad Hall is open (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8:30 a.m. to noon; 1:00-2:30 p.m.; Wednesday 8:00 a.m. to noon; 1:00-2:00 p.m.; or by appointment) to students, alumni, staff, and friends of the University.

As a side note, Dr. Covert designed the University Maces used in academic processions.

Covert photo gallery (from the University Archives and Log Yearbooks)
(Click on images to enlarge)

History and Political Science Faculty (1989 Log)
Dr. Covert with students (1986 Log)
Covert eating pie, Engineers Field Day Competition, October 1980 (1981 Log)
The Order of the Blue Carbuncle (Sherlock Holmes Society), 1971 (University Archives)
Delta Epsilon Sigma (1987 Log)
Dr. James Covert, 1976 (University Archives)
Steven Taylor ’78, Suzanne (Becker) Taylor ’81 and Dr. James Covert at the Inauguration of Rev. E. William Beauchamp, C.S.C. as University President, 2004 (Steven Taylor photo)
Dr. James Covert, 1962 (University Archives)
Future UP history professor as member of the History Club during senior year, 1958-59 (1959 Log)
Playing Guitar at Coffee House (1976 Log)
Dr. Thompson Faller smashes pie in Dr. Jim Covert’s face (1978 Log)
Dr. Jim Covert with broken foot talking to long-time friend, Dr. Thom Faller, 1972 (University Archives)
Dr. Thompson Faller, Culligan Award winner and Dr. James Covert, Burlington Award winner, 1986 (University Archives)
Dr. Jim Covert, Museum Director, with Museum memorabilia (1994 Log)
Dr. Covert with students (1985 Log)
Jim Covert, junior class photo (1958 Log)
Dr. James Covert, 1997 (University Archives)
Dr. Covert carrying one of his handcarved maces for UP Summer Commencement, 1978 (University Archives)
Young professor, Dr. Covert, holding his son, Marc, while wife, Sally, takes photo, August 1961 (University Archives)
History and Political Science Faculty (1995 Log)
Dr. Jim Covert with Students, 1992 (University Archives)

Filed Under: Memorials 6 Comments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarJoan Castricano Galles says

    October 26, 2016 at 12:56 pm

    An excellent teacher who inspired many of us to look critically and historically at current events. Thank you and God Bless.

    Reply
  2. AvatarJoseph A. Schiwek, Jr. says

    October 26, 2016 at 4:27 pm

    I have many fond memories of Jim. He was an excellent teacher of European and British history, which I enjoyed, even though my area of emphasis was American history while I did my studies at the U of P from 1967 to 1971 and obtained Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. For many years, I also enjoyed the camaraderie of his presence at the meetings of the Noble and Most Singular Order of the Blue Carbuncle, of which I was a charter member along with Jim–I never knew that Victorian culture could be so interesting !

    Reply
  3. AvatarFr. James Connelly, C.S.C. says

    October 26, 2016 at 5:41 pm

    A very good and dear friend and a gracious man. He was the epitome of what a U.P. professor might be.

    Reply
  4. AvatarBill Houston says

    October 30, 2016 at 7:56 pm

    Jim was the main influence in my time at UP. I took every class he offered from 1967 to 1971. He was my academic advisor. We played music together almost from the time I arrived. But most importantly he was the best friend I made in college. I will never forget him.

    Reply
  5. AvatarDr. MIchael D. Berdine says

    February 23, 2018 at 8:22 am

    Sad to learn of Dr. Covert’s passing. He was an inspiration to us all, undergrads and graduate students alike. Personable, friendly and always available to help, He was a very special person. He helped me through my BA (68) and MA (69) in British/European History, but over the years we lost touch. I am truly sorry about that. He was a great teacher and superior human being. You will be missed, Doctor C.

    Reply
  6. AvatarSuvendrini HC Christopher-Schuhmann says

    October 5, 2019 at 8:53 am

    A grateful UP Alumni mourning your passing Dr. Covert. Thank you so much. You will never know how much you gave to this International student from Sri Lanka.

    Reply

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Emmett Barrett letterman sweater damaged in the Vanport Flood, 1948

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