Bio: James E. Lightner, Commencement speaker and honorary degree recipient
James E. Lightner, Ph.D.
Doctor of Letters
James Edward Lightner, a 1959 alumnus and professor emeritus of mathematics at McDaniel College, has generously served this institution and its community for six decades as teacher, trustee, historian and faithful friend.
Lightner completed his bachelor’s degree summa cum laude with majors in English and mathematics along with a minor in education in just three years, enrolling in summer classes to accomplish the feat. He received a Master of Arts in Education from Northwestern University in 1962 and a Ph.D. in Mathematics-Education from The Ohio State University in 1968.
After four years working in the public school system of his native Frederick County, Md., the 25-year-old was invited to join the faculty at his undergraduate alma mater, where he taught for 36 years until his retirement in 1998. Known as a professor who was at once demanding of and intensely devoted to his students, Lightner received the Distinguished Teaching Award in 1966, just four years after returning to the Hill. He served as chairman of the Department of Mathematics, the first director of the January Term, director of International Studies and director of the Mathematics Proficiency Program. He helped organize every commencement ceremony from 1971 to 2007, serving as College Marshall and College Marshall Emeritus. He generously contributed his ceremonial wisdom and common sense to countless campus committees, from four presidential inaugurations to Middle States evaluations, and added his signature bass voice to the College’s choirs.
Active in many mathematical organizations, Lightner was named Maryland’s Outstanding Mathematics Educator of the Year in 1986. He published papers and books that earned him national distinction among Mathematics educators, including in 1993 the George R. Mach Distinguished Service Award from Kappa Mu Epsilon. He has also volunteered in leadership roles for a number of community organizations, including the Historical Society of Carroll County, Westminster Rotary Club, Boys and Girls Club of Westminster and Carroll County Arts Council.
Lightner helped found and was inducted into the College’s Delta Chapter of Maryland of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honor society. He has been a Fellow of Phi Beta Kappa, was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa senate in 2006, and served two terms on its executive committee. In 2015, he was recognized with Phi Beta Kappa’s John Hope Franklin Award for distinguished service.
McDaniel’s Alumni Association has twice recognized Lightner for professional achievement and volunteerism with its Meritorious Service Award and Alumnus of the Year award. In 2002, he was honored with the College’s Trustee Alumni Award. He has served as McDaniel College Historian since 2004 and as a College Trustee since 2010.
Lightner devoted seven years to researching and writing the more than 700-page College history that was published in 2007 as “Fearless and Bold.” In September 2015, he gave a 90-minute presentation, adapted from the book and filmed live at the Carroll Arts Center, for a documentary that will help recognize the College’s 150th anniversary during the 2017-18 academic year.
