Dr. James William Denton, retired professor and longtime Chambers College supporter, passed away on May 14, 2024.

"Jim was one of most decent and kind people I’ve ever met,” said Associate Professor of Management Information Systems Graham Peace. “Jim is the reason we have an MIS department in the College. He was instrumental in hiring faculty, developing the curriculum and creating our department’s culture, and his vision and spirit still guide what we do today.”

Born in Youngstown, Ohio, Denton spent the first part of his adult life working in quality control for employers like General Electric Glass, TRW Sherwood Refractories, American Greetings and Foseco. In that time, he also earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Case Western Reserve University, a master’s degree in business administration from Youngstown State University, and a doctorate in neural networks at Kent State University.

In 1991, Denton found his true calling at West Virginia University. Joining the Chambers College as an assistant professor of management, he was tasked with growing Management Information Systems into a full-fledged program. His diligent efforts to recruit faculty and students led to the establishment of an MIS major in 2001. To this day, the MIS department retains Denton’s student-first ethos and emphasis on faculty satisfaction.

So great were Denton’s contributions to the Chambers College that one of its newest fellowships came to bear his name. The Denton Fellowship, established in 2023 by alumni Chad and Laura Leonard, allows for students who have demonstrated excellence in MIS to take a paid leadership position with Data Driven WV, one of the Chambers College’s research and outreach centers.

Denton retired as an associate professor of management information systems in 2014 and spent his remaining years enjoying the company of his family. He is survived by his wife, Rita; daughter Katie Denton and her husband Jesse Linberg; brother David Denton and his wife Patti; nephew David Denton and his wife Lisa; nephew Brian Denton and his wife Christina; and several grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

“Jim was one of the best,” said Peace. “He will be greatly missed by those that knew him.”

Donations in Denton's memory may be made to the Jim Denton Student Fellowship Fund.