MEMORIES OF A WORLD TRAVELER

By Chuck Wasserstrom G eneration

after generation of UTC students will tell you that Dr. Gavin Townsend was an amazing teacher. He was zealous about art history taking great pride in introducing novices to the world of art and was particularly passionate about architectural history.

Students and faculty left for summer break not knowing that it would be the last time they would see Dr. Townsend, who had taught art and architectural history at UTC since 1986. Just days after being diagnosed with late-stage pancreatic cancer, Dr. Townsend died June 3 at his home, surrounded by his family. He was only 61 years old.

During his time at UTC, Dr. Townsend served as Faculty Senate president, director of the UTC Honors Program and gallery coordinator for the George Ayers Cress Gallery of Art. He also was a great representative of the university as a longtime member of the Southeast Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians (SESAH).

Those who knew him were stunned by the devastating news. The tributes about what he meant to UTC flowed— and they came from the heart. “He was an A-plus-plus faculty member,” said Theresa Liedtka, UTC’s dean of the library. “He was the kind of guy you could disagree with, then go out and have a beer afterward.”

Yes, Dr. Townsend was a professor and a long-time leader on campus—but he was so much more. He opened up the world to those around him. “Gavin Townsend was an exacting, brilliant, curious, kind, and dedicated faculty member,” said Linda Frost, dean of the Honors College. “His work with the University Honors Program, the Brock Scholars Program and the Honors College was critical to building the honors community and experience we have today. He was an originator of the Brock Scholars May Travel Seminar in order to give students a wider understanding of art and culture across the world.

“Widely knowledgeable and committed to the notion of global education, Gavin was an intrepid traveler, leading students on detailed urban explorations and ambitious hikes— sometimes very ambitious hikes—always at the ready with his map and travel guide. It is fitting that Gavin was hiking Machu Picchu with honors students just days before he passed away. Thoughtful, patient and always intellectually vibrant, Gavin will be missed terribly by all of us in the Honors College.”

Gregory O’Dea, associate dean of the UTC Honors College, called Dr. Townsend an extraordinarily gifted teacher. “Gavin never diminished in his enthusiasm for his subject and never tired of teaching others to see and contemplate what he liked to call ‘Objects of beauty and wonder.’ He brought that vision and visual literacy to thousands of students during his career. As those he mentored have testified again and again in the days since his death, he helped shape their understanding of the world around them and changed their practical and intellectual lives for the better.

“Gavin was a great traveler and a believer in travel as a critical component of one’s education and understanding. I traveled with him every year for a couple of decades and can say that no one I know could walk farther or longer or faster than he. More importantly, no one could notice more—and help others truly to see more—along the way.”

Debbie Bell ’76, ’90, associate director of the Honors College, recalled that “some of my best memories of Gavin come from the many honors trips we took together over the last 20 years. I’ll always think of him with a map in his hand, pointing ‘That way’ as he guided a group of students through some of the most important sites in Europe. He opened up the world of art for me on those early trips. When I realized how much he could teach me I took his art history survey course and came to appreciate him as more than a friend and colleague; I experienced his role as a gifted teacher who influenced the lives of so many in the way they travel and view the world.”

Dr. Townsend’s love of architecture also played a critical role on the UTC campus.

“Gavin was always very sensitive about preserving the historical integrity of all the campus buildings,” said Richard Brown, ’82, ’90, executive vice chancellor for finance and administration. “He was instrumental in saving the facade of Chamberlain Field’s South Stadium building when it was razed in 2011. The South Stadium building had been condemned for several years prior to its destruction but, with the advice of Townsend, its bricks and architectural elements were saved and turned into the Chamberlain Field Pavilion that now stands on the east end of the field.”

Dr. Gavin Townsend may have passed away, but his legacy will go on. He left lasting memories on those he taught, and his stories will be told to future generations. A travel scholarship has been established in his name in the UTC Honors College.

Condolences are extended to his wife, Bonnie; his son, Evan; his brother, Bryan; and his mother, Ruth. He will be profoundly missed.