Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi nominates late Communications and Theatre Professor for Emeritus Status
 
Dr. James Carlsen, professor of Communication and Theatre at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi for more than 25 years, has been posthumously recognized as a Professor Emeritus by the University’s College of Arts and Humanities.

Carlsen, who passed away on Nov. 6, 2003 following a protracted illness, guided the development of the University Theatre from its inception in 1978 and personally directed and/or acted in more than 50 productions by playwrights ranging from Sophocles and Shakespeare to Oscar Wilde and Tennessee Williams.

“ With his boundless energy and seriousness of purpose, Dr. Carlson attracted talent to the Theatre and Communications programs and to the college as a whole, acting as a positive role model for students and faculty alike,” said Dr. Paul Hain, dean of the University’sCollegeofArtsand Humanities. “For his commitment to the college and university, his dedication to and talents in acting, directing, and teaching, his many contributions to the local community, and his enduring legacy, he richly deserves the title of Professor Emeritus.”
 
Carlson’s influence extended into the local community where he served on educational panels for KEDT-TV. He presented numerous papers on oral interpretation and children’s theatre. In addition, he taught oral interpretation of children’s literature, a course required for teachers of language arts in the early grades, as well as public speaking, readers’ theatre, oral interpretation, and directing, courses important to University Scholastic League coaches in the middle and high schools.

Carlsen was born in Boston, Mass.on Dec. 17, 1942 and spent his early years in San Diego,Calif. He received his bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University and his master’s degree from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. After earning a Ph.D. from the University of California-Los Angeles, he joined the faculty of Corpus Christi State University, now A&M-Corpus Christi, in 1976.