In Memorium
Harry C. Jacobson, July 13, 1931 – June 6, 2010
Harry C. Jacobson, who passed away on June 6, 2010, was the founding Director of College Scholars in 1973. Dr. Jacobson, who was Professor of Physics and Astronomy, earned the Ph.D. in theoretical physics at Yale University where he was a student of the distinguished theoretician and philosopher of science, Henry Margenau. In 1964 Physics Department Head Alvin Nielsen personally recruited Dr. Jacobson to add theoretical strength to the infrared spectroscopy program which at the time was the strongest area of departmental research. In addition to his outstanding research Dr. Jacobson immediately established himself as one of the finest teachers in the department in both introductory and upper division courses. He could be counted on to receive outstanding student ratings in any course he taught. Former Department Head Dr. William Bugg indicated that he could “unashamedly assign him to trouble spots in the curriculum where he invariably delivered quality results.”
In the 1970s, Dr. Jacobson became Associate Dean for Student Academic Affairs in the College of Liberal Arts, now Arts and Sciences, and the Director of College Scholars. Dennis Perkins, who was a College Scholar at the time, writes, “But what was wonderful and sweet about him was his constant excitement about books and ideas. He almost was bubbly when he asked us to read an article by Derek Bok, or when The Closing of the American Mind, and Habits of the Heart were published. He wanted us to take that kind of intellectual joy, too. He was always proud of the speakers he invited – their variety and the depth of their learning impressed him as a learner, I think, and whether we were listening to a lecture on cantilever barns or the Bhagavad Gita, he was equally excited about making us excited. Of course, he was the best listener.”
Dr. Jacobson was one of the founding fathers of the John XXIII University Parish Catholic Center. He was a member of the committee that drafted the proposal to the Diocese of Nashville to establish a University parish and to provide funds to construction of a Catholic center at UT. He was the first president of the parish council and was an active contributor to parish life throughout his time in Knoxville.