NEW YORK, N.Y. – James Franklin Sharp grew up in Chester, Illinois, and now lives and works in New York City.
But, he returned recently to his alma mater, SIU-Carbondale, to be honored for his $1 million gift to the university’s museum, the latest in a series of gifts he has made to the schools where he was educated, including Chester Grade and High Schools.
He was a 1954 graduate of Chester High School, and then completed in 1956 the two-year Pre-Engineering Program at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale (before SIU had a four-year Engineering Program).
He has fond memories of his years as a Saluki.
“I lived in Doyle Dorm with three roommates, whom I have stayed in touch with over all these years,” Sharp said. Doyle Dorm was near the compact SIU campus at that time, as the university only had about 4,000 students. He liked the small class sizes, and had mainly senior professors, including the Head of Mathematics, Head of Physics, and Head of Economics.
He said “Corkball was my favorite sport.”
In addition to corkball, he participated in other intramural sports: football, volleyball, basketball, softball, badminton, and horseshoes, all for Doyle Dorm.
He also enjoyed being a member of Theta Xi Fraternity, that hosted the very popular annual Theta Xi Variety Show.
“The Theta Xi Variety Show was a big deal in those days,” he recalled.
Professor Sharp had already donated $600,000 to the Chester schools, and then decided the SIU-C museum could use a donation as well.
“After making gifts to the other institutions, I realized the kind of impact I was able to make. During one of my trips back to SIU, I visited the museum and thought it could use some funding,” Sharp said. “So, I thought why not go big and make it $1 million.”
The University was very pleased with Professor Sharp’s $1,000,000 donation, and showed it by naming the museum in his honor: Sharp Museum.
Professor Sharp returned to SIU 2023 Homecoming Week Wednesday, October 18 to Sunday, October 22 where he was celebrated with five days of special events including the dedication of the Sharp Museum.
The five days Professor Sharp was at SIU-Carbondale went by quickly.
Fortunately, the visit was documented and the photos will be a treasure for him to enjoy over and over again.
Day 1. Wednesday
Wednesday, Professor Sharp took an American Airlines flight from New York to St. Louis Airport. He was accompanied by his Business Manager, Melissa Marks, and Assistant, Linda Li.
Melissa, Professor, Linda on AA Flight NY to St. Louis
At the St. Louis Airport they were picked up by SIU Dean of Library Affairs (including Sharp Museum) John Pollitz, and his Director of Development, Kevin Clark.
SIU Van in front of Sharp Museum
After a brief stop at SIU, the van went to the Hilton Suites Hotel in Carbondale, Illinois. The group ordered takeout food and had a small welcome dinner in the lobby of the hotel.
Wednesday takeout with John and Kevin
They were soon joined by Professor Sharp’s sister, Rosanna Sharp Myers, and her daughter, Stephanie Myers Smith, who drove down from the St. Louis Airport, after a flight from Atlanta.
Day 2. Thursday Morning
Thursday morning Professor Sharp, Melissa, Linda, Rosanna, and Stephanie toured the Sharp Museum.
Plaques for Professor James Franklin Sharp, and Rosanna Sharp Myers, are being installed inside the Sharp Museum.
The Sharp Museum has a fine and decorative arts collection, with more than 4,000 items, including regional historic and contemporary ethnic and folk art.
Sharp Museum has a science collection that includes more than 26,000 geological specimens and a collection of early 20th century medical and dental items.
Sharp Museum has a Humanities Collection with more than 22,000 items, including an historic collection of Southern Illinois and general American history.
The Rosanna Sharp Myers Southern Illinois Gallery is named after Professor Sharp’s sister.
One large painting shows Lincoln & Douglas at their debate in Jonesboro, Illinois.
After touring the Sharp Museum, the Sharp Group looked at some of the nearby SIU Campus.
Professor Sharp liked to see the old Doyle Dorm, where he lived at SIU, that is next to the Sharp Museum. They all admired the Three Salukis Statue, across the street from old Doyle Dorm, with the popular SIU symbol, Pulliam Hall, in the background. Rosanna and Stephanie went inside nearby Woody Hall, where Rosanna first lived at SIU. Then Kevin Clark drove the group to see the Buckminster Fuller Dome House.
Later, the group had Quarto’s famous deep pan pizza for lunch.
In front of the Sharp Museum: Melissa, Prof. Sharp, Rosanna, Stephanie and Linda.
Professor James Franklin Sharp plaque
Rosanna Sharp Myers Plaque
Lincoln and Douglas Debate, Jonesboro, Illinois
Three Salukis Statue with Melissa & Linda
Buckminster Fuller Dome Home
Day 2. Thursday Evening
Thursday evening there was an SIU Foundation Board Dinner, that honored Professor Sharp.
SIU Marching Band, Foundation Dinner
SIU Cheerleaders, Foundation Dinner
SIU Saluki Dog Mascot, Foundation Dinner
Professor Sharp posed with the SIU Saluki Dog mascot participated.
Matt Kupec, SIU Foundation CEO
Matt Kupec, CEO of the SIU Foundation was the moderator. Matt, SIU President Daniel Mahony,
and SIU Chancellor Austin Lane made remarks praising Professor Sharp.
Invitation to Sharp Museum Dedication
Day 3. Friday
The Sharp Group had brunch at the famous Mary Lou’s Grill, including having their very popular biscuits and gravy.
The dedication ceremony for Sharp Museum was held Friday afternoon.
Standing Room Only At Dedication
There was a larger than expected attendance at the dedication ceremony, with a large standing room only number of people.
SIU Dean John Pollitz At Dedication
Dean John Pollitz was the moderator, and made remarks praising Professor Sharp.
SIU President Daniel Mahony At Dedication
SIU Chancellor Austin Lane At Dedication
SIU President Daniel Mahony and SIU Chancellor Austin Lane also made remarks praising Professor Sharp.
Professor Sharp At Dedication
Professor Sharp thanked Dean Pollitz, President Mahony, and Chancellor Lane. He then recognized the Sharp Museum curators: Wes Stoerger and Susannah Munson. He also recognized Chester CUSD No. 139 Superintendent Kimberly Briggs, Chester High School Principal Jeremy Blechle, former Doyle Dorm roommate Roger Chitty, and Theta Xi Alumni who were present.
Theta Xi Plaques At Dedication Dinner
Friday evening there was a dedication dinner at the well known Giant City Lodge Restaurant. Dean Pollitz again was the moderator. At the dedication dinner, the alumni of Beta Delta Chapter of
Theta Xi Fraternity at SIU, represented by Scott Shelton, Julian Pei, and Scott Nordentoff honored Professor Sharp with a plaque stating “In Recognition of Outstanding Service and Dedication.”
Also Shawn Monsen, Theta Xi Fraternity National Director of Alumni Engagement traveled from Theta Xi Headquarters in Atlanta to honor Professor Sharp. He presented him with a Theta Xi
Founders Circle Award Plaque and Rosette Lapel Pin.
Day 4. Saturday
Professor Sharp In SIU Homecoming Parade
The SIU Homecoming Parade was held Saturday morning.
Professor Sharp was an honored participant in the parade, riding in a classic BMW red convertible.
Rosanna in SIU Homecoming Parade
His sister, Rosanna Sharp Myers, was also in a red convertible, accompanied by her daughter,
Stephanie Myers Smith.
The Sharps were also honored guests at the SIU Homecoming football game Saturday afternoon in the Saluki Stadium.
There was a flyover by a U.S.Air Force plane just before the kickoff.
The group enjoyed the SIU Homecoming football game in a luxury stadium suite.
The Sharp Group was invited to watch the game from a luxury suite in Saluki Stadium. They also enjoyed a great buffet lunch before and during the game.
The SIU Marching Band performed at halftime in the game.
The Sharp Group had an excellent view of the football game as well as the haltime show by the SIU Marching Band.
A farewell dinner for the Sharp group at the 20’s Hideout Steakhouse in Marion closed out Saturday evening
Day 5. Sunday
The next day, Sunday morning, Rosanna and Stephanie drove their rental car back to the St. Louis airport to catch their flight back to Atlanta.
Dean John Pollitz and Kevin Clark drove Professor Sharp, Melissa, and Linda back to the St. Louis airport to catch their flight back to New York. However, on their way to the airport, they made a detour on Route 3, to take Prof. Sharp past his childhood home in Chester.
Sharp House in Chester
This is the former Sharp Home in Chester, where Professor Sharp and his, sister, Rosanna grew up.
CHS Professor Sharp Bench
Professor Sharp also stopped at Chester High School, and the Professor Sharp Bench, in front of
the entrances to the Sharp Cafeteria, that also leads to the Sharp Library and Media Center.
Then it was on to the airport for the flight back to New York.