James Young Causey
(Year Awarded--1997)

It is only fitting that this Concord, North Carolina, native and Davidson College professor receive this well-deserved recognition in the Commonwealth of Virginia, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts at Charlottesville in 1928 and where he subsequently taught at the College of William & Mary. It was here, too, that he met and married Ruby Walton of Lynchburg and where his daughter, Joanne, present here this evening, was born.

But as everyone that knew him would attest, James Y. Causey's heart was in Davidson. From 1948-1972, he taught Spanish and served as Department Chair, providing a voice of humor, reason and civility to college discourse and nurturing students through patient and encouraging instruction.

Even in the retirement of these past twenty-five years, Dr. Causey remained an active and visible figure in the halls of Chambers, on the sidewalks of campus and town, and on the tennis courts that were his holy ground. Students--past, present and prospective--were never far from his thoughts and always the object of his advocacy, particularly those who were the children of alumni or possessed an effortless backhand!

We rejoice in the scholarship endowment that bears his name and that will support students demonstrating excellence in academics, leadership and community service. Because he was a "friend for life" to all who new him; because of his example as father, husband, teacher and friend; because of an indomitable spirit in the face of adversity; because of the handshake that lingered through every warm and kindly greeting; and because he was genuinely interested in students and alumni, the Alumni Association of his adopted alma mater extends posthumous recognition to James Y. Causey, through presentation this day April 9, 1997 of its Alumni Service Award.