Jim Stearns 44 Years, Thousands of Students, a Million Memories

Meriam-Webster defines the word “fixture” as “a familiar or invariably present element or feature in some particular setting ” It would be difficult to name a person at the Farmer School of Business who fits this notion better than Jim Stearns

He’s worn a lot of hats in the decades he’s spent in Oxford: Professor, academic advisor, department chair, coach, tour guide . And Stearns says it all started with a marketing class that he took at Boston College as an undergrad

“It was the first time I ever had to make a presentation in front of the class, and I kind of enjoyed it, even though I thought I was painfully shy at the time . So I went to the professor and I asked, ‘How do I get where you are?’ And, he told me, and I said, ‘Oh, I don’t know if I want to do all that,’” Stearns said “I graduated and worked for a while, but I kept thinking ‘I’ve got to figure out a way to do this ’”

One PhD from Florida State later, Stearns found himself on a plane to Cincinnati after his dissertation advisor suggested Miami “We drove through all these corn fields and soybean fields through three different states . And I’m thinking, ‘Oh, my wife is from Manhattan This is not Manhattan,’” he said “I do vividly remember coming up 27, coming up the hill there to where the campus starts, and it was like this beautiful oasis ”

Stearns taught marketing in the business school for 32 years, while also running the MBA program for two decades along the way . The last couple of years, he was the chair of the Department of Marketing With time added for his three years in the Navy, he was eligible to retire, but not necessarily ready “I could have done the post-retirement three-year teaching gig when I retired, but I was looking to do something different In addition to being a professor, I’d been chief departmental advisor for 20 years,” he said

In talking to his dean and the academic advisors at the time, Stearns came to the conclusion that there was a better way to make Miami and the Farmer School attractive to prospective students . “We were trying to build a visit that projected what was important here and what our values were -- access to faculty, higher touch, trying to feel like a smaller school than we are,” he said “So we wanted to do small groups We wanted to do it as much as possible with a faculty member . ”

“I said, ‘I’ll try it for one or two years ’ I literally I said that, and that was 12 or 13 years ago,” Stearns said . “It’s completely different than being a faculty member, especially coming out of the chair role . Almost everybody in my group when I started was very young, very enthusiastic, very team oriented, very supportive of one another ”

Stearns also became known as the advisor that Miami would send prospective athletes who were considering business, especially hockey players . He’s had decades of experience in coaching hockey, starting with youth leagues and culminating in a stint helping to coach the newly-formed Miami women’s club hockey team—a role he almost didn’t take because of the travel required . “I said, ‘I don’t think I can do it .’ I went home and talked to my wife, and she basically said, “If you don’t do this, you’re going to regret it ”

The women’s team won national championships three times in the next four years.

Stearns said his favorite thing about teaching and about advising is actually the same thing . “One of the reasons I like this job is I’m getting to know these families In a few hours, I’ll be sitting in a room with four or five families and talking about their future and potentially changing the arc of their lives,” he said “The favorite part of it for me is you can change the arc of some lives . ”

So after all these years, is there anything Stearns doesn’t know? Yes For the first time in 60 years, he says he doesn’t know what’s next .

“That’s scary for me a little bit I’ve got to find something, because from the day that I left home after high school to go to college, I have awakened every day and had somewhere to go,” he said . “I’ll find something, you know . I used to play a lot of golf, maybe I’ll play a little bit more golf . ”

“Dr. Stearns—I am excited to share that I have accepted my admissions offer and am now an official Redhawk. I also wanted to send a note to personally thank you for helping introduce Miami to me and all that it means to be a Redhawk.

It was a tough decision between Indiana University and Miami, but after the discussion with you it really helped me realize that Miami was the place for me. You helped me see myself as a student here and how to become the professional businessman I have always dreamed of. I am beyond excited for my next four years here and wanted to let you know how influential you were both when we spoke over the phone in the fall, and when you provided me and my parents with a personal tour while onsite during Make it Miami a few weeks ago.

Brandon Kowall ‘28

“Coach Stearns dedicated his time at Miami to enhancing students’ lives in the classroom and on the ice. His impact was not only felt at Miami but has lasted into our careers. I was lucky enough to be one of them. There will be a major void at Goggin and FSB without coach Stearns around. He was instrumental in putting the women’s program on the map and helping players like me navigate the difficulties of a busy hockey schedule and FSB. Ultimately reaching my goals of graduating with a business degree and playing in the NHL. I will always be grateful for the instrumental role he played in my time at Miami and beyond. Thank you, Coach. Enjoy retirement!”

Sean Kuraly ‘16

“Jim is the absolute example of unwavering dedication and commitment. A gentle and quiet giant making differences in each and every life he touches, he is deservedly loved by students, athletes, recruits, faculty and staff. How fortunate we are that he dedicated his career, and his heart, to FSB. Wow. Thank you... for everything.”

Marti Kyger

FSB Assistant Dean & Director of Divisional Advising 1987 – 2019

“From the moment I was recruited by Miami, to the proud alum I am today and everything in between, Jim has undoubtedly had a profound impact on me and my life. He has always been such a strong supporter of Miami Hockey, a program that has provided me with an incredible foundation in life both on and off the ice. Including, but not limited to the unbelievable experience of playing at both the new and old Goggin arenas in front of fellow students of a university I love so much, the friendships and relationships developed of which I still hold today, and the education I received. After leaving upon the conclusion of my junior year to sign a professional contract, Jim was always one of my biggest supporters and encouraged me in finishing out my degree. Within that process he helped me in so many different ways. He provided me with advice, encouragement, coordination of my remaining coursework, and most importantly advocated on my behalf with the university and business school. For this, I am forever indebted to him, as many of my fellow students, as I’m sure we would not have been able to achieve our degree without his support. I am so incredibly fortunate to have had Jim in my corner, but much like myself and my fellow students, Miami University is just or if not more, to have Jim at for as long as they have!” the team in the form of coaching, management, and travel most importantly Coach Jim was always there as a support both inside and outside the classroom. His guidance throughout earning my marketing degree as well as his networking support as I searched for jobs and internships are a huge reason why I was able to kickstart my career in sports marketing that I have so enjoyed. Thank you, Coach Jim, for your dedication to your students. You have made a lasting positive impact on so many and we are so thankful for you!”

Liz Wardlow ‘13

“For over 31 years, Jim has been a leader by example in terms of teaching, research, and service to Miami, Oxford, the hockey community, the State of Ohio, and the nation. Thousands of students have had their lives enriched in classes, advising on careers, or life’s many challenges.”

Jack Gifford

Professor of Marketing Emeritus

“Your love for Miami, its students, and its programs has inspired me throughout the years.”

Gillian Oakenful Professor of Marketing

“Coach Jim had an incredible impact on my Miami experience that I am forever grateful for. As a marketing major and a founding member of the women’s club hockey team, hardly a day went by without interacting with Coach Jim. His unwavering support for the team is a major reason why the club is as successful as it is today. I will never forget Coach Jim helping us get our first set of jerseys and what a great feeling it was to put that ‘Miami’ jersey on for the first time. Beyond the countless hours he dedicated to

“Jim truly embodies what I believe makes Miami unique – the professors care about the students. His advice to ‘follow your passion and success will follow’ was used early on in my career, as I left a promising job for a little marketing research firm, and was promoted to vice president within seven years.”

Dustin Buecker ‘92