James S. Caldwell
James S. Caldwell, 72, of Danville, VA passed away November 30, 2023. He was born in Danville VA on 07/16/1951 to the late Walter B Caldwell, Jr. and Peggy Caldwell Martin.
He graduated from GWHS in 1969 and continued his education at Virginia Tech and University of Texas in Austin where he received his Bachelor of Science in 1987. He received his Doctorate in Molecular Immunology from Wake Forest University in 1993. Before assuming a position as a Professor at Averett University in 1995, he held a post-doctoral position as a Research Fellow at the Joslin Diabetes Center, Section on Cellular and Molecular Physiology and a Research Fellow in Medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA. He was a past member of the American Association of Immunologists and a current member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In keeping with his final wishes, his body has been donated to The Center for Experiential and Applied Learning (CEAL) Whole Body Donation program at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
Survivors include his sister, Susan C Pinekenstein and her husband, Mark, of California MD. A nephew, Christopher M Simpson and his wife, Misty, of Parma MI, his stepfather, M. Gene Martin, of Danville VA and stepsister, Kathy M. Setliff, of Danville, VA. He is also survived by several members of his extended family. In addition, his sister would like to recognize as his survivors his many students and the staff of Averett University who were a huge part of his life.
The following was posted by Dr. Tiffany Franks, President of Averett University: Dear Averett Family,
With a most heavy heart, I write today to let you know that retired Averett Professor Emeritus, Dr. James (Jim) Caldwell has passed away. Jim was a true teacher-scholar and profoundly affected Averett and our students from the moment he got to campus in September 1995 until he retired due to health reasons in 2018.
His education, post-doctoral training, awards, honors, professional memberships and teaching experience are impressive and speak to Jim’s love for what he did. Contributions he made to Averett University and the Biology Department are substantial. He came to Averett from a post-doctoral position at the Harvard Medical School-affiliated Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, bringing his research skills and training with him. As a result, he was able to lead the department into a new and successful Biomedical Sciences concentration.
Dr. Caldwell knew what our students needed to be successful in the fields they were seeking—medical school, veterinary school, graduate programs, etc., all programs requiring a strong knowledge base and good critical thinking skills. He was a champion for establishing a nursing program and was instrumental in bringing it to life. His expertise, effort, and time helped create the framework that was necessary to get initial approval from the Virginia Board of Nursing for Averett to start a nursing program. He supported the University in many other ways—serving on numerous committees, meeting prospective students, supporting students at athletic events, just to name a few.
Dr. Caldwell was known for both his high expectations and his great support and concern for students and his colleagues. When reflecting on how his work contributed to the mission and goals of Averett, Jim noted, encouraging each student to think, getting students to the next step and encouraging every student.
This is a great loss for the Averett community. We were honored to have both Jim and his mother, Peggy Caldwell Martin, who recently passed away, as long-term, devoted Averett employees and grateful that his sister Susan is an alumna.
Norris Funeral Services, Inc. and Crematory, West End Chapel, 511 Church Ave. Danville is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.norrisfuneral.com.
