http://www.recordpub.com/news%20local/2015/04/21/former-ksu-provost-john-kamerick-dies-at-95

Published: April 21, 2015 2:26PM

Dr. John J. Kamerick, who served as a dean and provost at Kent State University in the 1950s and 1960s and later headed two universities, died Saturday, April 13, 2015, in Florida at the age of 95.

He served at KSU for 12 years, first as assistant dean of the college of arts and sciences, then dean of the College of Fine and Professional arts and finally as academic vice president and provost. 

He left KSU in 1968 to become president of  North Texas State University, now known as the University of North Texas. He later served as president and professor of history at the University of Northern Iowa from 1970 to 1986.  Upon his retirement from UNI, he and his wife, Elaine, were honored when a new building, the Kamerick Art Center, was named for them. They moved to Sarasota, Fla., when he retired.

Among his memberships he served as chairman of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and President of the Iowa College Association. 

A veteran of World War II, Dr. Kamerick served to Lieutenant (senior grade) on a destroyer/minesweeper, the USS Hogan. He took part in six invasions and survived Kamikaze attacks in the Sulu, South and North China Seas.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Elaine, as well as his son, Michael; Eileen of Tampa, Fla., Kathleen of Iowa; Maureen of Newark, Del.; Megan of Albuquerque, N.M.;  four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. His daughter, Dr. Sheila, died previously. 

Memorials may be made to Incarnation School in Sarasota, Fla.; Cardinal Mooney High School in Sarasota, Fla.; St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa; or to the John J. Kamerick Fellowship at the University of Northern Iowa.

http://www.dentonrc.com/local-news/local-news-headlines/20150421-kamerick-former-unt-president-dies-at-95-in-fla..ece

John J. Kamerick was president of the University of North Texas for just two years, but he made those years count.

Kamerick, who served at what was then North Texas State University from 1968 to 1970, died April 13 at age 95 in Sarasota, Florida.

When he led the university in Denton, Kamerick pressed for historic reforms. He recruited faculty and students in writing academic and campus policies — moves that made way for a faculty senate and political speakers’ visits to campus.

Kamerick’s leadership finally allowed students to establish a chapter of civil rights organization the NAACP.

Under his leadership, the university also launched its first courses in black history and culture.

Before coming to Denton, Kamerick served as the vice president and provost of Kent State University.

He was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, and earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Ambrose University. Kamerick received his master’s degree and doctorate from the University of Iowa.

Kamerick was president and a history professor at the University of Northern Iowa from 1970 to 1986 and was a member and leader in a number of educational associations. He was a decorated World War II veteran, having served on the USS Hogan.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sheila Kamerick. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Elaine, as well as his son, Michael; four daughters, Eileen, Kathleen, Maureen and Megan; and four grandchildren.

Friends and family celebrated a funeral Mass for Kamerick on April 18.

Kamerick, who died Monday at age 95, served as UNI's sixth president from 1970 through 1983. During his tenure, UNI expanded with the construction of the Communications/Art Center, Schindler Education Center, Industrial Technology Center, Physical Education Center and the UNI-Dome.

"He came at a time when the university was changing from one era to another," said UNI history professor Donald Shepardson.

Although the institution's name change from State College of Iowa to UNI predated Kamerick's presidency, he oversaw the school's transformation from a single college to a multi-college university. And the faculty at the time, Shepardson said, were not always happy about the change in focus from heavy teaching requirements to a greater emphasis on research and publication.

"He handled that transition about as well as anyone could," Shepardson said.

Dean Talbott, who taught history at UNI from 1967 to 1996, said Kamerick "was always very much aware of academic freedom."

"He made sure that the faculty were not intimidated as a result of anything they said while they were teaching in the classroom," Talbott said.

Born in 1919 in Ottumwa, Kamerick earned his Bachelor of Arts at St. Ambrose College and his Master Arts and doctorate degrees from the University of Iowa. Before coming to UNI, he served in various administrative positions at Lewis College of Science and Technology in Romeoville, Ill.; Kent State University in Ohio; and North Texas State, now the University of North Texas.

Although Kamerick's academic and administrative accomplishments were important to him, "he tended to be most proud of his children," said daughter Megan Kamerick, a producer at New Mexico PBS.

"He always wanted to make sure that we had a normal family life. And that wasn't always easy growing up in the president's house," she said. "But he always wanted family dinners every night. He was very insistent on that."

Kamerick resigned as UNI president in 1983 to return to teaching. After taking a one-year sabbatical, which he used to study at UI, he returned to UNI and was a professor of history until his retirement in 1987.

"He appreciated getting back in touch with the students," Talbott said. "Sometimes administrators don't have any interaction with the students."

After retiring to Sarasota, Fla., Kamerick was active in his church and its social justice programs. A funeral Mass will be celebrated for him at the Church of the Incarnation in Sarasota, Fla., at 10 a.m. Saturday.

"He was a big believer in the social justice philosophy of the Catholic Church and urged us all to be interested in that," said daughter Kathleen Kamerick, a professor of history at UI.

Kamerick is survived by his wife, Elaine, one son, four daughters, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations can be directed to Incarnation School in Sarasota, Cardinal Mooney High School in Sarasota, St. Ambrose University in Davenport and to the John J. Kamerick Fellowship at UNI.

Reach Jeff Charis-Carlson at 319-887-5435 or jcharisc@press-citizen.com. Follow him at @jeffcharis.

http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/education/ex-uni-president-john-kamerick-dies-at-age/article_cc72b137-bba9-5189-8a8b-3adcda2b9126.html
 

http://www.press-citizen.com/story/news/education/college/2015/04/15/uni-president-kamerick-obituary/25827481/
 

A Letter From the President of the University of North Texas

Dr. John J. Kamerick died April 13 at the age of 95. A funeral mass will be celebrated for him at the Church of the Incarnation in Sarasota, Fla., on Saturday, April 18, at 10 a.m. A viewing will be held on Friday, April 17, from 11 a.m. 1 p.m. at Toale Brothers Funeral Home in Sarasota, 40 N. Orange Ave.

He was a loving husband, beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather, and passed peacefully surrounded by his five surviving children in Sarasota, Fla., his home since 1986. 

Born in Ottumwa, Iowa, Dr. Kamerick received his bachelor's degree from St. Ambrose University, and his Master's degree and Ph.D from the University of Iowa, as well as honorary doctorates from Loras College and St. Ambrose University. 

Dr. Kamerick was president and professor of history at the University of Northern Iowa from 1970 to 1986. Under his administration, the Communications/Art Center, Schindler Education Center, Industrial Technology Center, Physical Education Center, and the UNI-Dome were constructed. Upon retirement from UNI, the Kamericks were honored by having their name placed on a new building, the Kamerick Art Center. A fellowship was established in his name for students pursuing doctorate of education degrees at UNI.

Earlier he held the presidency at North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas) where he instituted reforms such as more faculty governance, courses in African-American history and culture, and promoting the establishment of a chapter of the NAACP, all of which were highlighted in a lengthy profile in the Wall Street Journal. Prior to that he served as academic vice president and provost at Kent State University. 

 Among his memberships he served as chairman of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and President of the Iowa College Association. His biography was carried in Who's Who in America for more than 25 years. He was also a Distinguished Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. 

A veteran of World War II, Dr. Kamerick served to Lieutenant (senior grade) on a destroyer/minesweeper, the USS Hogan. He took part in six invasions and survived Kamikaze attacks in the Sulu, South and North China Seas, but he relished telling the story of how his ship was finally damaged: An American pilot dropping his bombs before returning to his ship dropped one near the Hogan, blowing a hole in its side, necessitating the ship's return to the U.S. for repairs. Kamerick received the Victory Medal and one Battle Star for the Philippine Liberation, and six Battle Stars for the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Dr. Sheila Kamerick, who held a Ph.D in history. He is survived by his wife, Elaine, as well as his son, Michael, consultant and entrepreneur in healthcare research; his daughters, Eileen, SVP/CFO of ConnectWise.com Inc. in Tampa; Kathleen, Ph.D and faculty member with the history department at the University of Iowa; Maureen, textile artist and entrepreneur in Newark, DE.; Megan, independent journalist and producer with New Mexico PBS in Albuquerque; his four grandchildren, Clare, Colleen, Connor and Matthew, and his great-grandchildren, Genevieve and Julian.

Memorial donations may be directed to: Incarnation School in Sarasota; Cardinal Mooney High School in Sarasota; St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa; and to the John J. Kamerick Fellowship at the University of Northern Iowa.