On April 2, 2017, Rhubarb Jones, a distinguished lecturer of mass communications and development director at Kennesaw State, as well as an award-winning disk jockey, passed away after a fatal heart attack, marking the end of a star faculty member and a nationally recognized morning radio personality.
On March 27, almost a year after his death, KSU honored and recognized Jones’ work in front of approximately 150 students, colleagues, family and friends. A new radio learning lab was also designated in his honor, sequentially beginning his legacy.
Guest speakers at the ceremony included faculty members such as Interim President Dr. Ken Harmon and Dr. Gainey, director of the School of Communication and Media, as well as former students Ellen Eldridge and Scott Bagwill.
After the ceremony, guests were offered a tour of the campus and the newly designated radio learning lab, located in the Pilcher Public Service building.
“After the death of Rhubarb Jones, it seemed quite natural to name the radio learning lab after him,” Gainey says. “I discussed this proposal with my faculty and sought permission from the university.”
Gainey says that the plan was eventually approved by the dean and the then university president, and the SOCM began to work with the development office on a joint event to recognize Jones’ contributions to KSU and to announce the name of the radio lab.
Thomas Gray, a senior lecturer of communication and media and manager of internships and engagement at KSU, remembers Jones as a “very unique individual.”
“It wasn’t unusual for Rhubarb to have someone with him who was well known in the entertainment or country music field,” Gray says. “The guy seemed to know just about everybody in the business. There is an old saying that goes something like, ‘A stranger is a friend you haven’t met yet.’ That fit Rhubarb like a glove. Everybody was his friend.”
The SOCM is currently asking Jones’ supporters to contribute to a new memorial fund dedicated to him that will allow the school to support an additional scholarship and equipment to keep the radio learning lab current. The goal is $10,000 with more than $2,000 currently raised.
Anyone can contribute to the fund at http://c-fund.us/fme.
