Photo by Kevin Bain
Sadly, Rebel Nation lost one of its best early Sunday morning due to a tragic fire in his county home. Jim Chambers, associate dean for research and graduate programs with the School of Engineering, was alone when the fire claimed his life.
A popular advocate of all things Ole Miss, Chambers regularly volunteered in a variety of service projects throughout the region and on campus. Examples of his pro bono work include the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale, the Prentiss County Courthouse, College Hill Heights Baptist Church in Oxford and the United Methodist Church in Charleston where he collaborated with other experts to improve the acoustic qualities of each.
Chambers’ volunteer work on campus included the activities of student chapters of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Society of Black Engineers, Society of Women Engineers and other student groups. He was also known to give numerous tours of the mechanical engineering department and National Center for Physical Acoustics to students ranging in age from grade school to the doctorate level.
In addition, Chambers worked with local Boy Scout troops and Cub Scout packs, helping them earn their engineering, robotics and other science-related merit badges and activity pins and to meet advancement requirements. He also provided computer support for local Cub Scout Pinewood Derby races.
A graduate of Georgia Tech and winner of numerous prestigious awards, it is said that Chambers’ greatest joy came from teaching. Courses he taught included power, fluid mechanics, thermal fluids laboratory and thermodynamics.
Voted Teacher of the Year in Mechanical Engineering by his students in 2013, Chambers was quoted as saying, “As a professor, their approval is really what matters most to me.”
All of us at HottyToddy.com wish to express our sincere condolences to the Chambers family.
Godspeed, sir.
Note: This article will be updated when funeral arrangement information is available.
Jeff McVay is a staff writer and graphic designer for Hottytoddy.com. He can be reached at jeff.mcvay@hottytoddy.com
Follow HottyToddy.com on Instagram and Twitter @hottytoddynews. Like its Facebook page: If You Love Oxford and Ole Miss…
