Prof leaves legacy of learning
Posted on April 26, 2007
Emeritus Professor of Chemistry Frank Palocsay died of lung cancer last Tuesday, leaving behind a legacy of scholarship, motivation and dedication to service.
According to the Daily News Record, Dr. Palocsay is survived by his wife and two daughters.
After receiving his doctorate at the University of Arizona, Palocsay taught chemistry at JMU from 1968 to 2000.
“Frank was a phenomenal professor because he taught us the process of learning and chemistry,” said Austin Pacher, a former student and close friend of Palocsay. “My education then took a turn from biology to chemistry because of his enthusiasm and love of learning.”
Following his retirement from teaching, he remained in Harrisonburg, staying active in the JMU Emeritus Association.
Palocsay will not only be remembered for his numerous contributions to the classroom and the chemistry department at JMU, but also to Tau Kappa Epsilon, the fraternity that he helped nurture.
“Dr. Frank Palocsay was the guiding light of this fraternal organization when it went from being a local fraternity (Sigma Delta Rho founded at JMU in 1946) and became a chapter of the national fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon,” Lee Friedman (’71) said.
Palocsay was involved with the local Mu Alpha chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon for 39 years, as he assisted them with becoming sustainable for the future.
He was also very active in the TKE Board of Advisors and passionate about the marriage of scholarship and fraternity, enough to create a scholarship for academic achievement with his own money.
“He is a premier example of someone who honored the ‘lifelong commitment’ to our fraternity,” said Matt Horn, Chairman of the Board of Advisors. “During his service as President of the Alumni Association, Frank established an academic scholarship utilizing funds from his own pocket to give the first award.”
Horn also credits Palocsay with getting TKE scholastic respect within the JMU Greek community.
“Dr. Palocsay gave so much, expected so little, really enjoyed life and loved his students,” Parcher said. “Who else could make someone love chemistry?”