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Dr. James A. Donaldson ’61, a former acting Lincoln University president (1998 - 1999) who had a trailblazing career as the long-time chairman of the Mathematics Department and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (COAS) at Howard University, has passed away.
“Today we both mourn his passing and celebrate his tremendous life and legacy,” says Dr. Brenda A. Allen, president of Lincoln University. “He was not only a distinguished and dedicated son of Lincoln but also an exemplary educator and scholar.”
Among his achievements: while chair of mathematics at Howard University, he developed the first and only doctoral mathematics program at a historically black college or university (HBCU).
At Lincoln, he was a former president of the Alumni Association and a former member of the Lincoln University Board of Trustees.
Less than two years ago, on May 6, 2018, Lincoln University honored Dr. Donaldson with an honorary doctor of science degree. The previous October, he issued Dr. Allen her oath of office.
Born in 1941 on a farm in Madison County, Florida, Dr. Donaldson was one of eleven children.
After earning his A.B. in mathematics from Lincoln, he earned both his M.S. (1963) and Ph.D. (1965) degrees in mathematics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Following appointments at Southern University, Howard University (1965-66), the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of New Mexico (1966-71), he returned to Howard in 1971. The following year he became the chair of the Mathematics Department, a position he held until 1990. During his tenure, he led a transformation that ushered in a strong research program which resulted in the creation of the Ph.D. program.
In America, the doctoral program has become a major producer of African American holders of Ph.D. mathematics degrees.
After serving as the dean of COAS at Howard for 14 years, he stepped down in 2013.
Dr. Donaldson’s own mathematical research focused on analysis, differential equations, and applied mathematics, and he lectured about his research on four continents. In addition, he was a member of the Council of the American Mathematical Society, and served as the second vice president of the Mathematical Association of America and editor of the National Association of Mathematicians’ newsletter.
He also served as a consultant to the National Science Foundation, the National Research Council, the Sloan Foundation, the Educational Testing Service, several state boards of education, many mathematics departments, and the Washington, District of Columbia Public Schools.
Dr. Donaldson also endowed two Lincoln University scholarships: The Audrey Brown Donaldson Endowed Scholarship (named for his mother), which benefits mathematics and science students; and The James A. “Moose” Parker Memorial Endowed Scholarship, which supports students with financial need.
During his 2018 honorary degree presentation, his introduction included this testament of his commitment to the Lincoln legacy: “As a long-time, unwavering supporter of your alma mater, you have contributed your time, talents, and treasures to assist students coming after you to fulfill their goals.”
Lincoln University honors the life of this fallen Lion.