CONWAY, Ark. (February 8, 2018) – The Hendrix community is
saddened by the death yesterday of Stephen
Kerr ’76, who retired from Hendrix College in 2015 as the Virginia A.
McCormick Pittman Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Economics and Business.
A 1976 alumnus of Hendrix, Kerr joined the faculty in 1979,
after completing his master’s degree from Southern Methodist University and
receiving his CPA designation. His primary teaching interests were federal
taxation and financial accounting. In 1997, he received the United Methodist
Church Exemplary Teacher Award for exemplifying “excellence in teaching;
civility and concern for students and colleagues; commitment to value-centered
education; and service to students, the institution, and community.”
From 1985 until 1998, Kerr served as chair of the Business
and Economics Department. From 1999 through 2002 and again in 2004, he served
as area chair for social sciences. An avid fan of Warrior athletics, he served
as a faculty fellow to the men’s basketball team; away from campus, he served
as an usher and communion steward at First United Methodist Church.
In April 2012, Hendrix senior men’s baseball players honored
their number one fan by establishing an Odyssey endowment in Kerr’s name. The
endowment supports engaged learning experiences in the area of professional and
leadership development.
Dr. Lyle Rupert ’82, Professor of Economics and Business and
chair of the department, recalled having Kerr first as his professor and later
as his colleague. He called Kerr’s efficiency and work ethic “legendary,” and praised
his gifts in mentoring and supporting colleagues and thousands of students.
“Students in his courses learned quickly to sit near the
front so they wouldn’t miss any of his humorous and spontaneous comments,”
Rupert said. “When that twinkle in his eye appeared, we knew something
hilarious would soon follow! It was usually about the antics of his dog, Rose,
or a joke about economists. We will truly miss him, but know that his influence
lives on at Hendrix through all who were associated with him. I am proud to be
called one of his friends and will treasure our memories forever.”
Visitation will be held at Smith Family Funeral Home in
North Little Rock, Arkansas on Friday, February 9 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. A
memorial service will be held Saturday, February 10 at 11 a.m. at First United
Methodist Church, 1610 Prince Street, Conway, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers,
donations may be made to the Hendrix
Athletics Program, the Hendrix
Annual Fund, or the Parkinson’s Foundation.