On April 13, 2010 two well-respected Virginia Wesleyan emeriti faculty members, Neil P. Ramsey and Barclay Sheaks, passed away.
By Lisa Black | April 16, 2010
On April 13, 2010 two well-respected Virginia Wesleyan emeriti faculty members, Neil P. Ramsey and Barclay Sheaks, passed away.
Neil Ramsey, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, received his A.B. from William Jewel College in Missouri in 1957. He then obtained a M.Div. from Colgate-Rochester, an M.A. from the University of Denver and his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1974, he joined Virginia Wesleyan College and was the first long-time coordinator of the sociology department. Ramsey served as department chair of the sociology department for most of his tenure and was known for his walks through Village II followed by his poodle. Ramsey retired after 32 years of teaching and moved to Haines, Alaska, to be near his son. Many people described Ramsey as a patient and caring individual.
Shortly after Virginia Wesleyan's founding, Barclay Sheaks joined the College as the first full-time art faculty member and established the art department in 1969. He remained for the next 35 years and then retired to Newport News, Virginia. Prior to that, he taught art at Warwick High School in Newport News for 22 years. He was a renowned professional artist, and his artwork has been displayed in many exhibits over the years and is owned by a number of museums, university, corporate and private art collections. Sheaks also wrote several how-to books on painting and drawing, and in 1985 starred in a how-to-paint-with-acrylics television series that aired nationally on public television. Sheaks influenced and touch the lives of many and will be remembered for his larger than life personality. A collection of his work can be viewed on the Virginia Wesleyan campus in the Barclay Sheaks Gallery, located in Godwin Hall. Click to view obituary.
The Virginia Wesleyan Community grieves the loss of these two beloved faculty members. Both contributed significantly to the academic advancement of the College and their impact touched thousands of alumni and members of the campus community.
Those wishing to make gifts in memory of either Neil P. Ramsey or Barclay Sheaks may do so by contacting the Office of College Advancement, Virginia Wesleyan College, 1584 Wesleyan Drive, Norfolk, Virginia 23502-5599 or calling 757.455.3242.
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