In memoriam: G. Jack Gravitt, former Liberal Arts dean

February 26, 2008—A memorial service for Garland Jack Gravitt, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Texas State 1987-2000, was held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, at the First United Methodist Church at 710 North Austin St. in Seguin.

Dr. Gravitt died Saturday, Feb. 23, at the age of 71.

He joined the Texas State faculty in the Department of English in 1971 as an instructor. He rose through the academic ranks to full professor, serving as Director of Freshman English in 1980 and 1982 before being named chair of the Department of English in 1983 and Dean of the College of Liberal Arts in 1987.  He taught and published in the areas of restoration and enlightenment literature, black studies, and film, offering the English Department’s first film courses.  He retired from teaching and administration in 2000. His many friends and supporters established the G. Jack Gravitt Graduate Student Scholarship and the G. Jack Gravitt Professorship in Media Studies in the Department of English. Upon his retirement, he was named Distinguished Professor of English Emeritus.

Dr. Gravitt held a bachelor’s degree in history from Baylor University (1958), a master’s degree in English from Texas State (1965), and a doctorate in English from Southern Illinois University (1973). Before coming to Texas State in 1966, he taught at Wharton County Junior College and at Southern Illinois. He served in the U.S. Army 1959-60 and taught in Texas high school in Eagle Pass, Seguin, and Brazosport 1960-1965.

Dr. Gravitt was born July 18, 1936, in Caddo, Okla. He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, and a longtime Rotarian. He served on the Seguin ISD school board for two years and was a member of several professional organizations.

His survivors include his daughter Lauri Welch and her husband Geary Welch of Edmond, OK; and grandchildren Courtney Elizabeth Jackson, Keaton Andrew Welch, and James Tyler Welch.

Memorial gifts may be made to the G. Jack Gravitt Graduate Student Scholarship or the G. Jack Gravitt Professorship in Media Studies, Texas State University, College of Liberal Arts, 601 University Dr., San Marcos, TX, 78666.