After publicly announcing his retirement on Nov. 21, 2017 on Longwood’s Archaeology Facebook page, Dr. James “Jim” Jordan, Board of Visitors' Distinguished Professor of the Archaeology Department of 39 years with Longwood, officially retired on Jan. 1, 2018 due to health concerns.
"Through four decades this wise, gentle, kind man has shaped the lives of untold thousands of students with his keen intellect, characteristic wit and good humor,” art of the Facebook post stated.
“Throughout his career, Dr. Jordan has exhibited extraordinary dedication to his scholarly field of anthropology, to his department and to the university which he so deeply cherishes,” said President Taylor Reveley IV.
During his time at Longwood, Dr. Jordan received special recognition from the Board of Visitors in July 2014, one of nine to ever receive the award. In addition, Dr. Jordan founded the Archeology Field School in 1980 only to have it named in his honor in 2012, The James W. Jordan Archeology Field School, according to a Longwood News article.
Being a colleague of Dr. Jordan, Dr. Walter R. T. Witschey, anthropology and geography research professor, describes working with him as complimentary.
“For every accomplishment, large or small, by student or colleague, Dr. Jordan has a complimentary word. Compliments and encouragement from Jim not only arrive in person, but also in Jim’s unmistakable voice on the voicemail system,” said Witschey.
Known for his ghost stories during the kick off of Oktoberfest, Dr. Jordan’s presence will be missed, according to President Reveley.
“He has played an essential role in keeping vibrant many of the campus traditions that make Longwood special. His retirement marks the end of an era,” said President Reveley.
Dr. Jordan told the Rotunda in 2014, he refers his ghost stories to “let the good times roll, kick off to Oktoberfest”.
Having Dr. Jordan as an advisor, Airelle Prevatte, a senior archeology major, wishes she could thank him for the passion that he brought her to be a better anthropologist.
“I think that’s one of the reasons I stayed an anthropology student because when I went to his classes he was just so passionate about what he was teaching he always brought in examples of things he was talking about and his own personal pictures,” said Prevatte.
Tatianna Griffin, a senior anthropology major, still has the rose that he gave her freshman year in 2015 on Sept. 13, a common Farmville tradition of Good Neighbor Day.
“It was such a great feeling,” said Griffin.
Griffin described Dr. Jordan as “one of the greatest people I’ve ever met”.
“He was the main reason that I came to Longwood in the first place. I love him so so much and am so sad to see him retire, but he has definitely left his mark on Longwood and we can be nothing but appreciative toward him,” said Griffin.
Griffin remembered one of her favorite moments in Dr. Jordan’s class was when he complimented her as she will be the “most excellent professor”.
Dr. Jordan along with his daughter Katie Jordan Goff, associate professor of biology at Ferrum College, were consulted for one episode titled ‘The Dentist in the Ditch’ on the show ‘Bones’ in 2010 , according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
"I kind of grew up in the classroom with him at Longwood," Goff told the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Dr. Jordan declined comment to focus solely on his health at this time.