Sad News Regarding Jim Kelley
Dear faculty and staff,
I am writing to share the heartbreaking news that Procurement and Risk Manager Jim Kelley passed away unexpectedly at his home yesterday, July 29. He was fifty-eight.
Jim was a deeply respected colleague and friend across campus, well known for his kindness, work ethic, and caring nature.
Jim earned a bachelor of science degree in business and administration from St. Joseph’s College in Standish, Maine. He came to Bowdoin as an accounts payable manager in 1999 and was an integral part of this community for more than twenty-six years. By all accounts, he was highly effective from the start, with a talent for developing, introducing, and implementing best practices for our business operations. The first at Bowdoin to earn the official recognition of Certified Risk Manager, Jim worked determinedly to centralize and establish a comprehensive model of risk management that put Bowdoin well ahead of its peer colleges.
Jim’s work touched many aspects of the Bowdoin community, most prominently in programs that benefit faculty and staff and that connect with the local community. His many contributions include work on the MetroBreeze extension to Brunswick; the Concur/DirectTravel partnership; the First Time Home Buyers forgivable loan program for employees; key vendor discounts for offices across campus; and worker safety programs. His work also helped the College communicate its direct and indirect financial contributions to the local economy through the annual Economic Impact Report.
Jim was just as well known for his big heart, keen sense of humor, and unflagging honesty. He never hesitated to help if asked and would reliably stop what he was doing to do so.
Many in our community will feel Jim’s sudden loss sharply, including those who worked most closely with him. Please take care of yourselves and one another, and please make use of support resources, such as the Employee Assistance Program, as you need them.
Our hearts go out to his family—his husband, Cameron Thomas, his mother, Marie Bronn, his sisters, Theresa Bouthot and Valerie Kelley, and his brother, Alan Bronn. I know many of you join me in offering them our condolences and our gratitude for Jim’s life and his years of work on this community’s behalf.
Sincerely,
Safa
I am writing to share the heartbreaking news that Procurement and Risk Manager Jim Kelley passed away unexpectedly at his home yesterday, July 29. He was fifty-eight.
Jim was a deeply respected colleague and friend across campus, well known for his kindness, work ethic, and caring nature.
Jim earned a bachelor of science degree in business and administration from St. Joseph’s College in Standish, Maine. He came to Bowdoin as an accounts payable manager in 1999 and was an integral part of this community for more than twenty-six years. By all accounts, he was highly effective from the start, with a talent for developing, introducing, and implementing best practices for our business operations. The first at Bowdoin to earn the official recognition of Certified Risk Manager, Jim worked determinedly to centralize and establish a comprehensive model of risk management that put Bowdoin well ahead of its peer colleges.
Jim’s work touched many aspects of the Bowdoin community, most prominently in programs that benefit faculty and staff and that connect with the local community. His many contributions include work on the MetroBreeze extension to Brunswick; the Concur/DirectTravel partnership; the First Time Home Buyers forgivable loan program for employees; key vendor discounts for offices across campus; and worker safety programs. His work also helped the College communicate its direct and indirect financial contributions to the local economy through the annual Economic Impact Report.
Jim was just as well known for his big heart, keen sense of humor, and unflagging honesty. He never hesitated to help if asked and would reliably stop what he was doing to do so.
Many in our community will feel Jim’s sudden loss sharply, including those who worked most closely with him. Please take care of yourselves and one another, and please make use of support resources, such as the Employee Assistance Program, as you need them.
Our hearts go out to his family—his husband, Cameron Thomas, his mother, Marie Bronn, his sisters, Theresa Bouthot and Valerie Kelley, and his brother, Alan Bronn. I know many of you join me in offering them our condolences and our gratitude for Jim’s life and his years of work on this community’s behalf.
Sincerely,
Safa