James O’Leary Maxwell, longtime educator and administrator at historically Black Southwestern Christian College in Terrell, Texas, passed away on January 14. He was 86 years old.
Dr. Maxwell’s tenure with Southwestern Christian College spanned nearly five decades. A professor of Bible and religious education, he served as the community college’s academic dean from 1971 to 1978. He was then promoted to vice president of institutional expansion and served in that capacity until 2019. In this role, he led the school’s fundraising campaigns, wrote grant proposals, and prepared news releases regarding college functions.
Dr. Maxwell received his associate’s degree from Southwestern Christian College, a bachelor’s degree in speech education from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, and a master’s degree in religious education from Central Theological Seminary in Kansas City. He held a second master’s degree in higher education from what is now Texas A&M University-Commerce, and a third master’s degree and doctor of ministry degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
