James Werchan

JAMES WERCHAN

LIMA — Dr. James E. Werchan, 61 years, of Lima, Ohio died on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at 4:50 PM at Lima Manor Nursing Home, Lima.

James was born on March 16, 1952 in Taylor, Texas to Erman and Evelyn Werchan who both preceded him in death.

James graduated from Taylor High School in Taylor, TX in May of 1970 and then attended Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, TX, where he received his B.A. majoring in both English and Arts in May of 1976. He then attended Texas A&M University-Commerce, Commerce, TX and received his M.A. in English in December of 1983, majoring in composition/rhetoric with minor course work in drama. In May of 1992 he received his Ed.D. in The Teaching of College English with major course work in composition/rhetoric; other course work in American literature, drama, linguistics and pedagogy. His dissertation was: "An Empirical Study of the Use of Holistic Evaluation As a Classroom Activity".

From Sept. 1980 to Aug. 1986, he worked at Texas A&M University-Commerce, Department of Literature and Languages as an Assistant Instructor. Then from Sept. 1986 to May 1989, he worked at Sul Ross State University, Alpine, TX; Language and Literature Department, as a Lecturer and from Sept. 1989 to May 1990, he worked at Texas A&M University-Commerce, Commerce, TX; Literature and Languages Department as an Instructor. From Sept. 1990 to the present, he worked at The Ohio State University, Lima Regional Campus as a lecturer in English.

He was one of the founding members of the Lima Symphony Chorus. He also taught a continuing education writing course for office workers at British Petroleum chemical plant, Lima, OH and administered the Writing Across The Curriculum Center, a peer tutorial service which he proposed in 1995 and established in 1996. He also participated in a Kellogg grant-funded faculty development program called Student-Centered Learning Initiative. The SCLI is sponsored by the OSU College of Environment, Agriculture, and Food Science. The theory base of the project is based on W. Edwards Deming's work in Total Quality Management, a powerful force in industry management. SCLI takes TQM and translates it into education terms, taking such forms as negotiated learning contracts and collaborative learning.

Surviving are his sister and brother in law Phyllis and Harvey Johnson of Taylor, Texas; two nieces Sandra Trussell and Suzanne Sanford; two great nieces Rachel Trussell and Brooke Sanford.

His remains have been donated to the Ohio State University Anatomical Program and a memorial service will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lima Symphony Chorus, 133 N. Elizabeth St., Lima, OH 45801 or the Farmer Family Art Gallery at Ohio State/Lima 4240 Campus Dr., Lima, OH 45804.

Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com.