College 'mainstay' dead at 61

Olympic College English professor and former faculty union president Dr. Jana Wainwright passed away Thursday due to complications from diabetes. Wainwright had been at OC for 17 years and served as president of OC's faculty union at one time. She was one of the first professors at OC to work with online learning options. "She was deeply dedicated to the educational work of the college. She had been president of the faculty union in the 90's," said Dr. Thomas Cameron, fellow English professor and long-time friend of Wainwright. According to Dr. Edward Palm, dean of Social Sciences and Humanities, Wainwright had been ailing for quite some time from the affects of diabetes. Palm said her death was sudden because he had thought she was doing better. Palm said Wainwright developed an infection Monday, and shortly thereafter she and her family decided to discontinue her dialysis to "let nature take its course." "She's been a real mainstay of the college and the division for quite some time," said Palm. Cameron remembers Wainwright as welcoming all students with open arms. "She loved teaching," said Cameron. "She loved working with students in the class and individually. She was a mentor to a lot of students." Cameron said he had known Wainwright for 33 years, ever since they were colleagues in graduate school in Texas in 1976. Wainwright was instrumental in bringing Cameron to OC as a faculty member, according to Randy Lawrence, former vice president of instruction. "Jana had a short list of real friends, and I was lucky enough to be on it," said Cameron. According to Cameron, Wainwright was quick-minded and inventive. Cameron also said Wainwright had a very strong voice in the work of the English department and the SSH division. "She was never intimidated by anyone she thought was not being mission-centered," said Lawrence. Wainwright was a force to be reckoned with during her time as the faculty union president. "She was a staunch supporter of academic and faculty freedom," said Cameron. "She was an advocate for learning and liberty." Lawrence remembers Wainwright as being an across-the-board supporter for all people at OC. "She was a champion for so many other people at OC, students and faculty alike," said Lawrence. According to Palm, the family has not planned a traditional memorial service and asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the OC Foundation. An on-campus memorial service will be held Thursday in Art 103 at 3 p.m.

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