Dr. Howard Shealy Jr.'s Obituary
Dr. Emmitt Howard Shealy, Jr. passed away Aug. 4, 2023. Born Jan. 25, 1949, to Emmitt and Opal Shealy of Tallapoosa, GA, he dedicated his life to teaching at Kennesaw State University. An avid traveler, he loved visiting Europe, particularly Italy.
A graduate of West Haralson High School, Howard earned his bachelor’s degree at what was then West Georgia College. He followed up with a full fellowship to graduate school at Emory University, where he earned his doctorate in 1977. He served in the Georgia National Guard during his graduate school years.
Howard began working at Kennesaw State University in 1978, when it was still Kennesaw College with 3,000 commuter students. In addition to his full-time profession position, he served as Assistant Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (starting in 1996) and Chair of the Department of History and Philosophy. He also directed the department’s study abroad program in 2000, a year after its inception – he was well-versed in study abroad programs, having worked with the University of Georgia’s program since 1984. After retiring from his full-time career, he continued to return to KSU as an adjunct professor until his death.
Howard won the KSU Distinguished Teacher Award in 1991, which he called the greatest honor he ever had because he knew the nominations came from his students.
As the founding faculty member and first site director of Kennesaw State University's campus in Montepulciano, Italy, Howard dedicated much of his time to teaching honors students at KSU and raising funds for students studying abroad. As recognition for his influence and commitment to this program, two scholarships have been established as a result. The Dr. Howard Shealy Endowment for Honors College Study Abroad Scholarship was established by Doug and Robin Shore in 2019, honoring Howard’s work with the program by helping deserving students in the Honors College. The Barry and Sylvia Hyman Endowed International Education Scholarship was established in his honor for his years of exceptional service to the study abroad program in Montepulciano and provides financial assistance to students in the Great Books Honors Program to study abroad in Italy.
Besides teaching, Howard’s passion was travel. He enjoyed fine food and sharing his trips with his wife, Risë Spearman. They traveled to Europe nearly every year, sometimes more than once a year. They visited cities from Istanbul to Edinburgh, but his favorite cities were in Italy – especially Montepulciano and Rome.
Howard was preceded in death by his wife, Risë. Howard is survived by his nephew Chris Spruell, his niece Shala Hainer, and great-nephews Jackson and Dylan Hainer. He will be deeply missed, both by his family, his friends around the world, and the many students whose lives he touched.
A celebration of life will be held Aug. 26, 2023, from 2-4 p.m. in Room 300 of the KSU Center. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting any donations be made in Howard's memory to the Dr. Howard Shealy Endowment for Honors College Study Abroad Scholarship (https://bit.ly/HowardShealy or call 470-578-6027). Please indicate you are donating to the Dr. Howard Shealy Endowment for Honors College Study Abroad Scholarship, in memory of Dr. Howard Shealy.
What’s your fondest memory of Howard?
What’s a lesson you learned from Howard?
Share a story where Howard's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Howard you’ll never forget.
How did Howard make you smile?