For immediate release
Oct. 12, 2004

Dr. Charles Trevathan, instructor of sociology and associate general counsel at Abilene Christian University, died after suffering an apparent heart attack Tuesday in Abilene. He was 68 years old. Funeral arrangements are pending through Elliott-Hamil Funeral Homes.

Trevathan served ACU as vice president for campus life from 1991-97. He has been associate general counsel since 1987, and he has been on the Sociology and Social Work faculty since 1997.

"ACU has lost a tremendous friend and a popular teacher and mentor," said Dr. Royce Money, ACU president. "He will be missed by the entire ACU family and alumni world-wide."

In 2001, Trevathan was selected by students as ACU's Teacher of the Year, and he gave the charge to the graduating class at ACU's May 2003 Commencement. At the 2003 commencement, he encouraged graduates to live up to the university’s slogan of "Change the World," be it one business department or neighborhood street at a time.  Trevathan taught several popular sociology classes including Introduction to Sociology, Cultural Diversity, and Ethics and Social Issues.

"Charles was passionate about students, and about being a superior teacher," said Dr. Tom Winter, associate provost and professor of social work. "Students were deeply challenged by his instructional style, and he has made a lasting spiritual and professional impact on literally hundreds of ACU alumni."

Trevathan’s wife, Phyllis, worked in ACU's career services office until her retirement in May 2004. She is a member at Hillcrest Church of Christ, where Charles taught adult Bible classes.

Trevathan graduated from David Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn., in 1958, and he earned a law degree from the University of Louisville School of Law in1961.   He served a brief stint in the U.S. Army before beginning a more than 25-year career practicing law in Kentucky prior to coming to work at ACU.

"His passion for social justice, born of his experience as a student in the 1960s and nurtured in his work as a practicing attorney, was evident to all of us at ACU," Winter said.  "We will miss his voice on this campus."

If you would like to write a note or share a memory of Trevathan, please do so at the ACU guestbook .

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