IN MEMORIAM
Gary Evans: advocate for world peace
Gary Evans, former professor of communications who taught at Eastern for 45 years, died on Dec. 17, 2023 at age 85.
“Doc Evans” was an expert in intercultural communication, conflict resolution and human understanding. His legacy lives on at EMU in the form of a peace pole near Pease Auditorium (inscribed with “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in various languages), which he helped place on campus. He also established the Evans-Strand Peace Award, which gives $1,000 annually to a student who advances diversity. The award is named for Evans and his wife Katie Strand-Evans, a retired EMU theater professor.
In an interview with Eastern Magazine prior to his retirement in 2011, Evans spoke of his sources of inspiration. “I’ve traveled all around the world, but I never travel without going to where students have taken action against repressive governments. The history of the university in human affairs is very, very significant to me. Bucharest. Prague. Budapest. Tiananmen Square. I find universities and student rebellion extremely powerful. University students are at an intellectual point in their lives where they have very high values. Other than labor unions and universities, there aren’t a lot of places for people to gather and talk about their idealism, about who the enemy is, about what is right and what is wrong. The first assignment I give to my students—in every class—is to talk and write about what it means to be a university student. They talk about idealism and diversity, and then they slowly begin to see an interconnectedness that they couldn’t see when they were in high school. That is energizing to me.”
Evans held a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. He is survived by his wife and their blended family of four children and nine grandchildren. Those missing his calm voice and wisdom are invited to visit his blog.
John C. Fountain: The voice of EMU athletics
John C. Fountain, who spend 44 years broadcasting EMU games, died on Nov. 15, 2023 at age 91.
In addition to his years as a broadcaster, Fountain also served the University as director of sports information and vice president for university relations. His legacy spans NCAA tournaments, bowl games, and national championships, including a pivotal role in saving EMU from Mid-American Conference (MAC) expulsion in 1984.
Fountain was inducted into the E-Club Athletics Hall of Fame, the MAC Media Hall of Fame, and the Port Huron Sports Hall of Fame. A U.S. Navy veteran, his dedication to sports persisted even during military service in Libya, where he established a radio show for fellow servicemembers. With his wife, Marge, Fountain established an EMU scholarship fund for aspiring sports broadcasters. Author of two books, he generously directed proceeds from their sales to the EMU Fund and to the Detroit Sports Media Association Grant Fund, supporting broadcasting equipment purchases by Michigan institutions.
Born in Port Huron, Fountain was a 1957 graduate of Adrian College. He leaves behind his wife of 65 years, four daughters, 10 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. His impact on EMU and the sports broadcasting community will be remembered with gratitude. Listen to an oral history interview with Fountain.
John Nick Pappas: inspiring teacher, gifted sculptor
John Nick Pappas, former professor of art, died on July 6, 2023. He was 88. A renowned sculpture artist, Pappas’ bronze statue “Icarus” is located in front of the Judy Sturgis Hill Building on EMU’s campus, and he created commissioned sculptures for many other universities, companies and hospitals across Southeast Michigan.
On his website, Pappas wrote, “Making sculpture is not like having a job. It really is a lifestyle and encompasses the majority of my existence.”
The son of Greek immigrants, Pappas was born in Detroit and received both BFA and MA degrees from Wayne State University. He exhibited his work in the U.S. and Europe and won numerous awards, including the Rome Prize Fellowship in Sculpture. Pappas taught at EMU for 40 years, inspiring a generation of art students before retiring in 2000. Pappas is survived by his four children, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. For a closer look at his life and work, read a story written by his daughter Catherine in the Winter 2015 issue of Ypsilanti Gleanings.
