Chamberlain Remembered at Memorial Celebration

University Gathered on Feb. 3 in Tribute to Life and Work of Jeff Chamberlain

by B.J. Koubaroulis

Chamberlain Remembered at Memorial Celebration

On February 3, 2010, George Mason University faculty, staff, administrators and students filled the third tier of the Center for the Arts to honor the life and work of long-time French linguistics and Latin professor Jeff Chamberlain.

Chamberlain, who was 59 years old when he lost his long battle with pancreatic cancer on September 1, 2009, was remembered by his admirers, students and colleagues.  He was “one of the people I could count on no matter what, no matter the circumstances to move the university forward,” said President Alan Merten.

Chamberlain, who joined the Modern and Classical Languages Department in 1983, was interested in making the study of language an integral part of students' lives. Chamberlain proudly served as a university marshal for nearly a decade and this accomplishment exhibited his strong devotion to the university.  “He managed himself with grace and humor while enjoying the ceremony and role he played,” Stearns said. “This was indicative of his style.”

Mason provost Peter Stearns credited Chamberlain with overseeing a significant transformation of the MCL department as it underwent a large expansion.  His leadership, grace, and humor were criticial to the success of the department. Dean Jack Censer remembered Chamberlain’s humor, optimism and spoke fondly of him as “brave and unflagging in his concern for others.”  Communication professor Don Boileau, a longtime friend and colleague of Chamberlain’s,  noted Chamberlain’s friendship and said he “strengthened everyone’s values.”