Photos by Whitney Curtis
James E. McLeod, vice chancellor for students and dean of the College of Arts & Sciences who died Sept. 6, was remembered through song and speech during three events this past week. Above, Sidney Outlaw, a rising young American baritone, was joined by classical pianist Carol Wong, a graduate of The Juilliard School, for an intimate Liederabend Sunday, Oct. 9, in Holmes Lounge. The performance was dedicated to the memory of McLeod, who initiated the university’s first Liederabend, translated as “evening of song,” nearly 30 years ago. Below, some 1,300 people attended a service celebrating McLeod’s life Oct. 9 in the Athletic Complex Field House. The 14 speakers reflected on how McLeod impacted their lives and the lives of thousands of WUSTL undergraduates over the past 37 years through his wisdom, generous spirit, strong values, kindness and patience. Among the friends and colleagues who spoke was Chancellor Emeritus William H. Danforth. In his talk, Danforth asked those in the audience to stand who believed “that Jim McLeod led Washington University to be a more humane, more caring institution and a better place in which to learn.” Everyone stood. “Just being around him made the world brighter and inspired us to become more gentle and understanding, even wiser; that is to become more like Jim McLeod,” Danforth said. “If all of us here would carry on that spirit, the world would come closer to paradise.” Also honoring McLeod was the Oct. 6 Jazz at Holmes series featuring legendary St. Louis saxophonist Freddie Washington and his quartet. It was McLeod, who 13 years ago, inspired, guided and supported the fledgling series.
