James McPartland

I first learned about the legendary Jim McPartland because two of my advisors -- Aaron Pallas and Gary Natriello -- had worked with him at Johns Hopkins. Their stories about him were extraordinary; he was a larger-than-life character who led a colorful academic life. I finally met him during my first AERA conference, in New Orleans. Jim wined and dined a growing entourage as the week went on and it was such fun for a newbie doctoral student to be included. Later, he tossed funding our way so...

I came upon this page rather late, but it is never too late to express how much I revered Jim as a leader and model for academic work--both the methods and WHAT work was worth doing. I once gave a paper at a small conference that was simply ABOUT his leadership. To take one example: he stationed his own office immediately adjacent to our mailboxes so that whenever someone went to check their mail or phone messages, Jim was right there to ask a question or make a suggestion. My world would...

He was my advisor when I was a Hopkins undergrad back in the '70's, and I assisted in some CSOS research on N Charles St. (as well as conducted some of my own, leading him to remark: "It (research) is a lot more difficult that it appears, isn't it?") I am sure that he didn't know "what had become of me", but he provided great insights to an impressionable youth (i.e., me) that were lodestones through 3 graduate degrees (at NYU, UCLA and Stanford). A few years ago I read with great interest...

Thank you, Jim, for being a mentor even when you didn´t know it, giving me the opportunity to not only work at Hopkins but to also contribute to the University, and through Talent Development open up my eyes to school reform through Career Academies. I learned a lot, matured academically through your guidance, as a practitioner and the amazing staff you surrounded yourself with. Even though both have passed I also thank you on behalf of Kevin Cuffie and Sam Abney.

An esteemed professor but I grew up knowing James as the esteemed first grandchild who was able to get away with numerous shenanigans with the aunts and I loved growing up listening to his tales! Fond memories of him in Rosedale, Baltimore & East Hampton!!!! Barbara

Rosemary and family, Your Brother, your Uncle, and Great Uncle was one of a kind!!!!!!!! So many stories of Cousin James none of them in Black and White all in Living Color, long before color television. His team colors changed but his City dedication never did. Cousin Johnnie

Jim was special in so many ways. I considered Jim, a friend, and my most significant mentor in the profession. It's difficult to find words to describe what he meant to me! In my mind, he was a brilliant and underappreciated scholar. The world is a better place because of James M McPartland!

At the Center for Social Organization of Schools (CSOS) at Johns Hopkins University, Jim was a special, talented, and wonderful part of our lives-director, colleague, and friend for over 40 years. He always will be "here"-somewhere-with all of us who were fortunate enough to work with him at this unique place-CSOS at JHU.

Scoop was one of kind. A true Cross St Market character - until they ruined it As others have said he lit up the room when he came in