Calvin mourns loss of political science prof

Summary: James Penning, director of the Center for Social Research and longtime professor of political science at Calvin College, died on Tuesday, July 13, 2010, of undetermined causes.

See full story: www.calvin.edu/news/2009-2010/jim-penning

James Penning, a longtime professor in Calvin's political science department, died on Tuesday, July 13, 2010, of undetermined causes. Penning was in his second year as director of the Center for Social Research at Calvin and in his 35th year of teaching in Calvin's political science department.

Penning's forte was state and local politics. He developed many internship opportunities for students at the local level of politics.

"He made politics very grounded, not something out there," said Amy Patterson, chair of the political science department.

"He recognized that public life was an important calling," said Corwin Smidt, a colleague of Penning's since 1977.

For more than 25 years Penning collaborated with Smidt on research relating to religion and politics, which resulted in their work being published in a handful of books and dozens of scholarly articles. The two most recently worked together on "The Disappearing God Gap?: Religion in the 2008 Presidential Election," a book that examines the role religion played in the 2008 campaign.

Penning served as chair of the political science department for nine years. His former colleagues described him as a witty guy who was quick with a quip.

"[He] liked to pun, liked to pull your leg a little bit," said Smidt, "but he could say it in such a fashion that you could never really tell, at least initially, whether he was kidding or serious."

"You couldn't have a serious conversation without him turning it into a joke," reminisced Bob DeVries, who knew Penning both as a colleague and as a student.

Within hours of learning of Penning's passing, political science professionals from near and far were e-mailing his Calvin colleagues, saying such things as: "he was one of the nicest men I've ever met" and that interacting with Jim was "one of the highlights of my trips to Grand Rapids."

"It is just a testimony-not just among his colleagues in the political science department, but also among his colleagues around the country," added Smidt.

Penning graduated from Calvin College with a bachelor of arts degree in 1971. He did his graduate work at the University of Kentucky, graduating with both a master's degree and PhD by 1975.

Penning is survived by his wife Marge, and a number of extended family members.

The funeral service for Jim Penning will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 19 at La Grave Christian Reformed Church. There will be a visitation from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Sunday, July 18 at Zaagman Memorial Chapel.

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Received on Wed Jul 14 15:52:28 2010