CAMPUS NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 4, 2006

In Memoriam
James Gary Vidrine, Ph.D.

It is with great sadness that Sherman College acknowledges the passing of James Gary Vidrine, Ph.D., on April 2, 2006. Vidrine shared 23 years of his life with Sherman College as professor of basic sciences, teaching microbiology, micropathology, biochemistry, histology, nutrition and public health, and making a memorable impact on countless lives with his quick wit, warm personality and profound knowledge of “bugs.”

Vidrine will be remembered as a true gentleman, a loving husband and father, a dedicated teacher devoted to his students’ learning and success, and a lifelong learner who always kept current with the latest in microbiology and public health.

“Dr. Vidrine happily committed many years of his life to Sherman College and its success,” says Interim President Thom Gelardi, D.C. “He will be missed by students and colleagues alike.”

Sherman Chancellor Jerry L. Hardee, Ed.D., remembers Vidrine as a devoted and enthusiastic colleague. “Dr. Vidrine dedicated his life to the preparation of doctors of chiropractic to serve humanity,” he says. “He always went above and beyond the call of duty, providing numerous microbiology lab demonstrations to guests and prospective students and spending countless hours talking “bugs” preparing his students for national board exams.”

Vidrine earned his Ph.D. from Iowa State University in 1969. He held positions as a senior investigator of viral oncology for Pfizer followed by a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Maryland where he conducted virological studies. From there, he held a staff scientist position supervising a tissue culture laboratory for EG&G Mason Research Institute in Rockville, MD. After 10 years as a scientist in industry, Dr. Vidrine carried his vast knowledge and years of research experience to his teaching – first teaching biology at Austin Peay University in Clarksville, TN, and then on to teach microbiology at Sherman College in 1982.

Sherman College honored Vidrine with the Faculty Member of the Year Award on three occasions in 1986, 1993 and again in 2001. He also received the Distinguished and Dedicated Service Award from the college in 1985. More recently, the college proclaimed March 9, 2005, as “Dr. James Gary Vidrine Day” to honor his generous service upon his retirement.

Vidrine is survived by his wife, Lily Vidrine, one son, Lloyd, of Spartanburg, and one daughter, Rachel, of Raleigh, NC. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Emma Rae Vidrine, and a niece, Debra Vidrine, and nephew, Barton Vidrine, as well as uncles, aunts, and cousins of his hometown of Ville Platte, LA.

There will be no funeral service or visitation. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those planning an expression of sympathy consider the Hospice Building Fund, 120 Heywood Avenue, Suite 300, Spartanburg, SC 29303; St. Lukes Free Medical Clinic, P.O. Box 3466, Spartanburg, SC 29304; or Spartanburg Humane Society, 150 Dexter Road, Spartanburg, SC 29303. An online guest register is available at www.floydmortuary.com.

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