Dr. James Day

James Day was born in Riceville, Iowa. He married Natalie Tinsley in 1943 who proceeded him in death in 2012. During WWII, he served in the Army Signal Corps. After the war, he finished his doctorate in English at Iowa State University and moved to California in 1954. He began teaching at CSULB in 1955 until his retirement when he was in his mid-80s. He lived in Mission Viejo.

James Day always loved teaching. He supervised and advised many Language Arts teachers during their student teaching and helped organize conferences for the National Council of Teachers of English, Southland Council of Teachers of English, the English Council of Long Beach the Men of Mystery authors conferences as well as Literary Women of Long Beach. He and his friend, Don Hohl, created the Replay Company, taping authors and presenters so that English teachers could share their talks with their students and improve their own teaching skills through the stories of others. Dr. Day was a co-director of the Young Writers Camps at CSULB (as part of the South Basin Writing Project). He is remembered for his good nature, humor, and love of literature and drama.

Over the years, Dr. Day had an impact on many educators. Dr. Bill Younglove remembered how Day included him into the “English fold” by welcoming him into the Southland Council of Teachers of English, California Teachers of English, and the South Basin Writing Project. Younglove credits Day for his present service on SCTE (Policy/Legislative Representative) and CATE (Common Core Consultant).

James Day passed away on February 12th at the age of 99, five months short of his 100th birthday. James is survived by his son, Jeffrey Day, (Carol), his daughter, Devon Day, (Mark Nixon) and his grandsons: Matt Day (Nadia) and Chris Nixon.

The College of Education (CED) expresses gratitude to all scholarship donors who continue to enhance the quality of education students experience at CSULB.