This week’s Project 100+ memory comes from Jim Lavender. Raised in Bellmawr, New Jersey, Jim grew up in a hardworking family. His father was a union carpenter in Philadelphia, while his mother dedicated herself to raising Jim, his sister Stacey, and his brother Scott. Once they were older, she returned to the workforce, eventually retiring as a supervisor in the emergency room at Underwood Hospital (now Inspira).

Jim attended Bellmawr public schools and Gloucester Catholic High School. After graduating in 1990, he enrolled at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in Lexington, Virginia, where he was recruited to play football. However, an injury during his first year changed his path.

During his senior year of high school, Jim had also been recruited by John Bunting at Rowan University, but he initially chose VMI. Coach Bunting, however, never lost touch, checking in even after Jim left for Virginia. That connection proved pivotal. While rehabbing his injury and taking courses at local community colleges to maintain his credits, Jim reconsidered his future. Encouraged by Bunting’s persistence, he transferred to Rowan in the fall of 1992.

Jim graduated three years later with degrees in history and secondary education. His first teaching position was a long-term substitute role at Delsea Regional High School in the fall of 1995. The following semester, he took a similar position at Collingswood. By the 1996-1997 academic year, both schools offered him full-time positions, and he chose Delsea, where he taught world history, U.S. history, and geography over the next seven years. During this time, he remained involved in football, coaching at various schools, including Rowan.

While teaching at Delsea, Jim faced a crossroads. He considered law school but ultimately chose to pursue educational leadership. Encouraged by strong mentorship, he earned his master’s degree in School Leadership in 2002 and his doctorate in the same field in 2006, both from Wilmington College. During his time at Wilmington, he was honored with the President’s Award for Leadership, but the most significant moment of his experience was meeting his future wife, Jennifer. The two were in the same program, married in 2003, and welcomed their daughter Madison in 2004.

Jim transitioned into administration, serving as Director of Early Childhood Education in Gloucester City Public Schools before becoming Principal and Chief School Administrator of Gibbsboro Elementary School. Later, he was promoted to Superintendent of the Gibbsboro and Berlin Borough School Districts. In 2010, he accepted the role of Superintendent at Kingsway, where he has served for 15 years, helping establish the school as one of the top institutions in Gloucester County. 

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A Transformative Experience at Rowan

“My injury at VMI forced me to rethink my priorities. At the time, athletics was everything to me, so being sidelined was frustrating. When Coach Bunting reached out, his timing couldn’t have been better. He was an incredible recruiter—an Eagles player and a speaker at a high school awards banquet I attended. When I visited Rowan, I was struck by how much he genuinely cared about his players. That was a huge factor in my decision to transfer.

However, I later learned that transferring from a Division I-AA school meant sitting out for a year. I hadn't realized this when making my decision—a clear example of the challenges first-generation college students face. Sometimes, you don’t even know the right questions to ask. That unexpected second year away from football, coupled with my injury, shifted my focus. I started taking academics more seriously; and, looking back, it was one of the best things that ever happened to me.

One of the most transformative courses I took was The Civil War and Reconstruction, taught by Steve Gimber. His passion and enthusiasm were contagious, and I still have my notes from that class. I loved reading Ordeal by Fire by James McPherson—it was one of the best books I had ever read. Another eye-opening course was Modern Middle East History with Cory Blake. Before that, my understanding of history was almost entirely focused on America. That class broadened my perspective on global history, a realization reinforced later in Chinese Cultural History.

Sidney Kessler’s Jewish Holocaust course was another unforgettable experience. I came into it with limited knowledge, but the class reshaped my understanding of history and humanity. One of the most impactful books we read was Ordinary Men by Christopher Browning, which explored how regular individuals could commit atrocities under certain circumstances. That book stayed with me.

Outside the History Department, Voice and Articulation with Curt Whipple was particularly valuable. Public speaking is daunting, but Professor Whipple had a charisma that made it easier to step outside my comfort zone. That course gave me confidence, a skill that became essential throughout my career in education.

Looking back, Rowan was a turning point in my life. It wasn’t just about gaining content knowledge—it was about learning how to think critically, communicate effectively, and develop a passion for education. Before Rowan, academics had been secondary to me. But with the guidance of incredible faculty, I discovered a new path. My time at Rowan laid the foundation for everything that followed in my career and life.” 

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This is part of the Department of History’s “Project 100+,” an ongoing collection of memories by Glassboro State College and Rowan University alumni and staff that began as part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of Glassboro Normal School, later Glassboro State College, and now Rowan University.  Due to interest in the project, the number of interviewees continues to grow. Thanks to Laurie Lahey for helping proofread and edit the final versions. Email carrigan@rowan.edu with questions or corrections. You can find the Link to all of the Project 100 and Project 100+ entries on the Web: https://chss.rowan.edu/departments/history/alumni_highlights/project_100/