James F. Rainey of East Lansing, Michigan passed away on Tuesday, May 23rd at the age of 83. Born in the Chicago area, Jim was raised with two sisters by his parents, Drs. Clarence Wager and Clarissa Devney Rainey (deceased). He attended St. Joseph Elementary School and New Trier High School then graduated from Notre Dame University (BS Chemical Engineering 1961). University of Chicago School of Law (LLD 1964) and Michigan State University (MBA. 1966). Jim was hired that year as Assistant Professor of Business Law and in 1969 he became the Assistant Dean of Business at Michigan State. He was also an early member of the Student Faculty Judiciary. But looking back, Jim was best known by alumni as Dean Rainey who was “firm but fair” and “demanding with a heart” in his advising of students.
In 1975 he was named Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. He was responsible for curricular matters in the doctoral, masters and undergraduate programs. Dean Rainey was also responsible for student affairs activities, including monitoring of degree progress and graduation certification.
Dean Rainey was a faculty advisor to Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity. He was also invited for membership in Eta Sigma Delta Honor Society, extended with admiration for his teaching effectiveness and commitment to scholarship.
In addition to his MSU responsibilities, Dean Rainey was a Visiting Faculty Member at Erasmus University, Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, represented Michigan State University as part of a State of Michigan delegation to the Peoples Republic of China, and participated in education programs in Japan, Taiwan and the Peoples Republic of China. THE School of Hospitality Business proudly “adopted” Dean Rainey. He was the first and only Dean in THE School.
Jim is survived by his friend Grant Smith, his sister Mary Rainey of Sarasota FL, two nieces Devney Schendorf of Pleasant Hill, CA and Ellen Haviland of Del Mar CA, a nephew David Schendorf, a warm circle of neighbors and so many dear friends. Visitation is scheduled on June 13 at 10 am at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, East Lansing followed by Mass at 11.
In lieu of flowers, please support students through the James F Rainey Endowed Fund in Hospitality Business https://givingto.msu.edu/crowdpower/james-rainey
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