In Memoriam: Dr. Julius S. Scott, Jr.

On August 1, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) said goodbye to another longtime member of its education family. Dr. Julius S. Scott, Jr., the agency’s former associate general secretary for the Division of Higher Education, passed away at his home in Hilton Head, SC at the age of 94.

Scott served at GBHEM from 1982-1986 and played a critical role in expanding the agency’s international footprint. He wrote GBHEM’s first international strategy and worked with former GBHEM general secretary Rev. Dr. F. Thomas Trotter to lobby the 1984 General Conference for authorization to implement it. When authorization was granted, Scott led GBHEM’s new Global Higher Education Committee and began putting the strategy into action.

In the late 1980s, Scott worked with Dr. Roger Ireson – then GBHEM general secretary – to further expand the Methodist educational connection. He helped lay the foundation for what is now the International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges and Universities (IAMSCU). Today, that organization has more than 1,000 members across the globe.

“Dr. Scott’s work at GBHEM paved the way for the robust international network of Methodist-related schools we have today. Because of his efforts, Methodist-related schools all over the globe are able to collaborate and share educational resources,” said Rev. Greg Bergquist, GBHEM’s acting general secretary.

Scott left GBHEM in 1988 but remained active in United Methodist higher education throughout his life. He served two terms as the president of Paine College in Augusta, GA and was president of Wiley College in Marshall, TX for five years. Both schools are United Methodist-related historically black colleges and universities supported by the GBHEM-administered Black College Fund. Scott also helped to uphold rigorous academic and ethical standards for all United Methodist-related schools as a longtime member of the University Senate of The United Methodist Church.

In addition to his roles with the church, Scott was known as a distinguished leader and a champion for academic excellence throughout the Southeast. He was called on repeatedly to serve as interim president for University System of Georgia institutions including Albany State University, the Medical College of Georgia and Savannah State University.

Scott passed away shortly after celebrating his 65^th wedding anniversary with his wife, Ann. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 17 at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew by the Sea United Methodist Church, Hilton Head, SC. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials to: Paine College Organ Restoration Fund, 1235 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30901, or Penn Center, Inc., PO Box 126, St. Helena Island, SC 29920. 

About GBHEM: The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry’s mission is to build capacity for United Methodist lay and clergy leaders to discover, claim and flourish in Christ’s calling in their lives, by creating connections and providing resources to aid in recruitment, education, professional development and spiritual formation. Every elder, deacon and licensed local pastor benefits from our training and candidacy programs. Many young adults find help in clarifying their vocation and God’s call in their lives through our leadership and discernment programs. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook: @GBHEM.