WHEREAS, John Jacobus Alewynse, a passionate educator who touched the lives of countless students in the Commonwealth, died on April 20, 2024; and

WHEREAS, John Alewynse was born in New Jersey to a Dutch father and a German American mother, spent his childhood in rural Ohio, then attended the Northfield Mount Herman boarding school in Massachusetts; and

WHEREAS, John Alewynse graduated with honors from Yale University in 1958 and completed additional studies at Yale and Columbia University before earning his doctorate in comparative literature from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and

WHEREAS, John Alewynse worked in New York City for a few years, then pursued a career in academia; he held positions at The College of William and Mary in Virginia and Elon University in North Carolina before joining the Department of English at Hampton University; and

WHEREAS, during his long and distinguished tenure, John Alewynse served as director of the humanities program, dean of freshman studies and general education, and chair of the Department of English, in which capacity he developed innovative curricula, used his leadership abilities to enhance the teaching-learning process, and pursued grants to create new opportunities for teachers and students; and

WHEREAS, under the leadership of John Alewynse, Hampton University graduated more Black English majors than any other school in the country for several years, and he proudly helped many of his students prepare for and gain admission to highly selective graduate programs and law schools; and

WHEREAS, after retiring from Hampton University, John Alewynse returned to Williamsburg, where he served on the Williamsburg-James City County School Board for 10 years, including two years as chair; and

WHEREAS, John Alewynse provided his expertise to several other local boards and organizations, including Literacy for Life, the Williamsburg Board of Zoning Appeals, and the Neighborhood Council of Williamsburg, where he represented the historic Chandler Court and Pollard Park community; and

WHEREAS, John Alewynse will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his beloved wife, Joyce Jarrett Alewynse; his children and stepchildren, Manon Ariadne Alewynse, Leen Alewynse, H. Mitchell Jarrett, and Tanya J. Jarrett, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of John Jacobus Alewynse, a dedicated educator who provided his wisdom to students at Hampton University and The College of William and Mary in Virginia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of John Jacobus Alewynse as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for his memory.