Memorial service scheduled for former dean, Gravitt

Posted by Mark Hendricks
University News Service
Feb. 25, 2008

A memorial service for Garland Jack Gravitt, former dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Texas State University-San Marcos, will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, at the First United Methodist Church at 710 North Austin St. in Seguin.

Gravitt died Saturday, Feb. 23, at the age of 71.

Gravitt joined the Texas State faculty in the Department of English in 1971 as an instructor. He rose through the academic ranks from instructor to assistant professor to associate professor and to full professor, before being named chair of the Department of English and then dean of the College of Liberal Arts in 1981 until his retirement.

He held a bachelor’s degree in history from Baylor University, a master’s degree in English from Texas State and a doctorate in English from Southern Illinois University. He also taught at Wharton County Junior College and Southern Illinois.

Gravitt was born July 18, 1936, in Caddo, Okla.

Memorial gifts may be made to the G. Jack Gravitt Graduate Student Scholarship or the Gravitt Professorship in Media Studies, Texas State University, College of Liberal Arts, 601 University Dr., San Marcos, TX, 78666.