REMEMBERING DR. EDWARD JERVEY

official. As the Chapter Advisory Board structure changed throughout the years, Dr. Jervey remained a “patron” of the chapter. In a 2016 Alpha Sigma Tau Foundation interview, Dr. Jervey said, “I naturally gravitated to Alpha Sigma Tau. I just helped where I could.”

With great sadness, we announce the passing of Dr. Edward D. Jervey, a longtime friend of Alpha Sigma Tau, at the age of 94.

Born in 1929, Dr. Jervey – fondly known as “Dr. J” to many Alpha Sigma Taus – earned bachelor’s degrees from Emory University and Boston University, as well as a master’s and Ph.D. from Boston University. He served as an associate professor of history at Lambuth College from 1958-1961 before becoming a professor of history at Radford University in 1963.

He retired from the university in 1991, as a Professor Emeritus, but was still closely involved in Radford University’s Greek life. In the 2010s, Radford’s Greek organizations created the Jervey Award, which honors the sorority that best promotes the spirit of unity across organizations. Additionally, in 2012, Dr. Jervey won the Distinguished Service Award.

Dr. Jervey is best known in Alpha Sigma Tau for his dedication to the Alpha Lambda Chapter at Radford University. He began working with the chapter shortly after arriving at Radford, and by the mid-1970s, his role as an advisor to the chapter became

In his role, Dr. Jervey helped many Alpha Sigma Tau women – including several Past National Presidents and highly-involved volunteers – conquer college life as an advisor and a professor. Well into his 80s, you could find Dr. Jervey at Alpha Lambda’s chapter meetings every Sunday evening. “They inspired me,” said Dr. Jervey. “It’s been a part of my life ever since.”

Throughout his involvement, he attended 12 National Conventions and various regional events, including leadership workshops and Officer Academies, with the Alpha Lambda women. His dedication to the young women of Alpha Sigma Tau never wavered, as he continued to travel and meet with Sisters – most recently, at the 44th National Convention in 2022.

At the 44th Convention, he proudly stood with Past National President Martha DeCamp to deliver the Edward Jervey/ Martha DeCamp Award. It honors the collegiate chapter that has exhibited the highest adherence to the ideals and integrity of the Sorority as set forth in our Creed. Dr. Jervey was always excited to congratulate the winners of this coveted award.

In addition to his Alpha Sigma Tau commitments, Dr. Jervey was fully invested in the Radford community. He served on the city council from 1980-1984 and was a volunteer at Radford Community Hospital. His late wife, Thora, was also responsible for starting a recycling movement, opening a clothing bank, and helping fund the building of the Radford Public Library.

Dr. Jervey’s dedication to Alpha Sigma Tau didn’t stop with his time and talent. He was an avid and early supporter of the Alpha Sigma Tau Foundation. Most recently, while at the 44th National Convention, he pledged $20,000 to the Christina Duggan Covington scholarship, which he established in the 2014. In the 2016 interview, he said, “The Foundation helps so many of the Sorority women in terms of scholarships and programming. I can’t think of a better place to put my money.”

Although Dr. Jervey could never become an Alpha Sigma Tau member, he implicitly understood the bonds of Sisterhood and our Sorority’s goals. He put it best when he said, “The older you get, you realize the only two things that really matter in life are family and friends … the Sisters of AΣT are both. As long as I can keep one foot in front of another, the Sorority will be there for me and I’ll be there for them.”

Dr. Jervey is preceded in death by his late wife of 60 years, Thora Jo, and son, David. He is survived by his second wife, Brenda, two sons, Warren and Tom, and grandchildren.

To honor the legacy and share the organization that was so special to Dr. Jervey, the Alpha Lambda Chapter plans to initiate Brenda into Alpha Sigma Tau as an alumna member later this year. Dr. Jervey passed away knowing Alpha Sigma Tau members would always be there to care for Brenda.

Dr. Jervey wanted everyone to know how grateful he was for the outpouring of love and support he received from Alpha Sigma Taus in his final weeks.