Faculty Focus
DR. JEAN KIRTS
Professor Emerita of Physical Education
Students First
by Mary Leonard
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The Rev. Dr. Miley Palmer ’58 presents the William Norman Grandy Faculty Award to
Dr. Jean Kirts at the May 2007 Commencement.
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In September 1968, Professor Jean Kirts—then 23 and fresh out of graduate school—arrived on the McKendree campus to teach physical education. That was seven U.S. presidents ago, when Richard M. Nixon was still campaigning for president.
“There have been a lot of changes in 39 years—a lot of changes,’’ said Kirts in her understated way, with a smile that said much more.
Kirts, who became McKendree’s first director of women’s athletics in 1977, quietly pushed programs forward even before 1972 when equal opportunity was federally mandated by Title IX. She is now settling into retirement, reflecting
on an eventful career that was capped by receiving the William Norman Grandy Faculty Award at the May 2007 Commencement.
Kirts points out that she had no intention of staying at McKendree for nearly four
decades, but she is quick to explain—in two words—why she did.
“The students,” she said.
For Kirts, it has always been about making connections with students, even
in those early years when some of them were older than she was.
“A small college does things a big university can’t do,’’ Kirts said. “It’s
the kind of connection you have with students and the kind of care that’s given.
At McKendree, it’s students first. Students are the reason why the institution and the
faculty are there. It’s about the opportunity to work with students and
to truly get to know them.’’
Kirts says she will always treasure the notes she has
received throughout her career from students and alumni.
“I was always surprised with those that said, ‘You changed
my life,’” Kirts said. “When students would say that to me, I
was startled. After all, I was just doing my job.’’
Rebecca Loeschner Musso ’05 says she had such respect for
Kirts that when she encountered problems at her first teaching
position, she e-mailed her former professor for advice.
“I thoroughly enjoyed Dr. Kirts, both as a person and as a teacher.
I learned so much from her,’’ Musso said. “But she has to move on
and do her thing. She deserves a great retirement.’’ Kirts taught thousands
of McKendree students who live and work in the area. Just recently at a coffee
shop near Kirts’ Edwardsville, Ill. home, a former student wanted to know if
the professor emerita remembered teaching her yoga. Kirts smiled as she told
the story because she is proud of having introduced the yoga experience to
stressed students.
“I would tell them at the beginning of the class, ‘Some of you will come with
me, and some of you won’t. If you’re not coming with me, just don’t bother the
other people,’’’ Kirts said.
It was a philosophy that Kirts’ colleagues say served her well as a
teacher and coach. They describe Kirts as dignified, graceful and persistent.
“Jean had a quiet way of reinforcing good behavior,’’ said Dr.
Dawn Hankins, associate professor of athletic training. “She was
soft-spoken but when she meant business, she meant business.’’
Kirts helped build the women’s intramural program and was McKendree’s first
women’s volleyball coach. She was always willing to work with students who asked
for her help, though she laughs about coaching women’s softball for a brief time.
“I knew nothing about softball,’’ Kirts said. “A group of women came to me and
said, ‘We would love to have a softball team.’ I told them, ‘I don’t know anything
about softball, but if you accept that, then we’ll have a team and we’ll go.’ They were
patient—and very kind.’’
Looking back on her early years in women’s athletics, Kirts recalls
a frequent question that would seem incredible today.
“They would ask, ‘Why do women want to do that?’’’ Kirts said. “It is interesting
to teach students about Title IX now. Guys tend to think it took programs away
from them. Women find it difficult to think that it was ever any other way than
what they’ve always known. They’ve had athletic programs since they came into
grade school. That’s the normal experience for them. But we always need
to remember that battles were fought.’’
Kirts said McKendree faced the same issues that all institutions were up
against—establishing equitable programs with limited dollars—but she and Harry
Statham ’60, McKendree’s director of athletics and basketball coach, always
found ways to work together.
Statham, who has known Kirts since she started at McKendree,
said she was a superior instructor from the outset.
“Jean was soft-spoken, extremely knowledgeable and very thorough,’’
Statham said. “I think students and colleagues alike respected her professional
and pleasant approach to her work. She had a productive career at McKendree
and in her final year she walked away just as she arrived—superior.’’
Kirts jokes that she knew it was time to retire when Statham introduced
her to a recruit who was the son of a McKendree alum.
“I told Harry, ‘It’s time,’” Kirts said. “I draw the line
at teaching children of students.”
Kirts is proud to have been a part of McKendree’s growth
and says she remains impressed by the faculty’s dedication.
“The faculty care and have always persevered to maintain the quality of
education, even when there were limited budgets for equipment
and supplies,” Kirts said.
The Grandy award is given annually by the alumni
association to one outstanding faculty member, based on
recommendations by students, faculty and staff.
“Dr. Kirts is admired and respected by her colleagues, peers and students alike,”
said the Rev. Dr. Miley E. Palmer ’58, McKendree trustee and former president
of the alumni association, in presenting the award to Kirts.
Kirts says she was startled to receive the honor.
“Never in a million years,’’ she said, shaking her head. “I teach physical
education. That’s not high on the prestige list at colleges and
universities. I was stunned for quite a while about that.’’
Kirts’ service at McKendree included: the Faculty Affairs Council; the
Committee on Retention, Promotion and Tenure; the North Central Self-Study
Steering Committee; the Bearcat Recreational Center Planning Committee
and the McKendree English Institute Search Committee.
Looking back, Kirts said she always knew she
made the right choice in coming to McKendree.
“At McKendree, there was always a tremendous amount of opportunities,”
Kirts said. “You were able to do things that at bigger institution would have
taken years for you to move into position to do.’’
Kirts said she has been asked why she didn’t
teach for one more year, to reach the 40-year milestone.
“It was time,’’ she explains simply.
Pressed for more, Kirts said she knew that she wanted to be a teacher
as far back as grade school and always enjoyed her time in the classroom.
“I enjoyed the interaction with students, but it was time to retire,’’
Kirt said. “McKendree was a great experience for nearly 40 years.
The students are what it’s about—and I thank them.”
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