WARD, Jesse - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Jesse L. Ward, 91, retired University of Toledo educator and believed to be TU’s oldest professor emeritus died today in his home, 2109 Brookdale Rd.  Dr. Ward taught in the TU college of education from 1927 until his retirement in 1954.  He came to the university as an assistant professor after service three years as superintendent of schools in Bucyrus, Ohio.  For 19 years until his retirement he headed the college’s secondary education department and also was supervisor of practice teaching.  Dr. Ward was the second director of the university’s teacher placement bureau a job he held in the late 1930s.  Dr. Ward had several hobbies, one of them writing letters to The Blade.  His comments which he submitted in great number until about two years ago dealt with a range of topics from politics to environmental concerns.  Born in Fountain County, Indiana Dr. Ward received a bachelor of arts degree from Indiana University and master of arts and doctor of philosophy degrees from Ohio State University.  He also held a bachelor of laws degree from Hamilton College of Law in Indianapolis.  Dr. Ward served on several university committees during his career.  Dr. Ward was recognized along with six other professors ermiti from the college of education in a special tribute in 1965, sponsored by the college.  Their pictures were hung in the then new Snyder Building which houses education offices.  He was a craftsman and woodworker and creator of gadgets, one of them a “Pinch-Free Penholder” designed to teach school children the proper grip for cursive writing.  Dr. Ward was a member of numerous education societies as well as Who’s Who in Education, Who’s Who in the Midwest and the American Association for the advancement of Science.  He and his wife, Edith L. observed their 63rd wedding anniversary March 2.  Also surviving are daughters, Mrs. Mary Ann Brady, Mrs. Lucy Starr and Charlotte E. Ward; son, George F. and brother, John