(This article, featuring James A. Brunner, class of 1941, who passed away on February 3, 2007, appeared in The University of Toledo newspaper on February 12, 2007)  3/17/07

UT professor who helped beautify campus dies

The man who perhaps more than any other is responsible for the renowned appearance of The University of Toledo Main Campus has died. Dr. James A. Brunner, Sylvania Township, passed away Feb. 3 following a serious illness.

The Bexley, Ohio, native was born June 23, 1923, and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He received his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Ohio State University, where he wrote as his doctoral dissertation on a pioneering study of marketing and gerontology, exploring the marketing of goods and services to an emerging class of seniors 65 and older.

After teaching at Ohio State and Otterbein College, Brunner came to The University of Toledo in 1951, where he served as the chair of the Marketing Department for 25 years, retiring as professor emeritus in 1992.

His service as the first chair of UT’s Campus Beautification Committee came about thanks to a reputation for gardening, a legacy from his parents. In 1976, UT President Glen Driscoll called Brunner into his office with a challenge. “I hear you’re the one professor that likes to dig in the dirt,” Driscoll said. “Our campus is anything but attractive. Therefore, I challenge you to create something beautiful for The University of Toledo.”

Brunner and his committee, particularly 1943 UT alumnus Milford Romanoff, UT Vice President Emeritus Richard Eastop, and former UT superintendent of grounds Kurt Smith, transformed the campus. On occasion, Brunner could be observed pulling weeds from campus flowerbeds and lawns. In 2003, the American Society of Landscape Architects designated the University as one of the country’s most beautiful campuses, one of only 22 colleges and universities so honored. Brunner also was instrumental in creating the Alumni Gate, the Pursuit of Excellence Waterfall, identifiers for the Centennial Mall and the Toledo Edison Fountain. In 1996, UT dedicated the Brunner Garden to honor his beautification work.

As a teacher, Brunner mentored many students who later achieved great career success; he received UT’s Outstanding Teacher Award in 1968. He served for more than 30 years as faculty adviser to Beta Gamma Sigma, the College of Business Scholastics Honorary. He helped bring the freshman honor society, Phi Eta Sigma, to UT and initiated the freshman leadership society, Lambda Sigma, to recognize students with outstanding service as campus leaders.

He and Dr. Lancelot Thompson, UT professor emeritus of chemistry, co-founded The University of Toledo Retirees Alumni Association (UTRA); Brunner was its first president.

A member of Beta Theta Pi, Brunner was the first to sign the roll book at the 1991 grand ceremony of induction for the new UT chapter of Epislon Tau, of which he served as adviser. In 1997, the General Convention recognized Brunner as Adviser of the Year. In 2002, he received UT’s Alumni Adviser Award for his dedication to fraternal values and to furthering Greek life on campus.

Brunner was a charter member of the UT Presidents Club. His philanthropic interests also included the Brunner Scholarship Fund, the Brunner Faculty Service Award in the UT College of Business Administration, and the establishment of the Brunner Multimedia Center in Stranahan Hall. In 2001, UT paid him high honor by creating the Brunner Society.

The family will receive visitors at the Walker Funeral Home on Sylvania Avenue Friday, Feb. 9, from 3 to 7 p.m. The memorial service will be held at Epworth United Methodist Church on Central Avenue Saturday, Feb. 10, at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the following organizations that Jim so passionately supported: The University of Toledo Foundation (Brunner Excellence Fund in the College of Business Administration, The University of Toledo Campus Beautification Fund), the Toledo Symphony, the Toledo Museum of Art or Flower Hospital Foundation Cancer Center.

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