Obituary of Schley Lyons

Schley R. Lyons, Ph. D. Dr.Lyons, passed away Saturday, July 14, 2010 following a brief illness in Charlotte, NC. Dr. Lyons joined the faculty of UNC Charlotte in 1969 as Chair of the Department of Political Science, a position he held for 11 years. During that time, he established the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology in l971 and developed a graduate program in urban administration. Dr. Lyons was appointed Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1980 and interim dean in 1985. He served as interim dean of the college during 1985-86. Following a national search, he was appointed dean and held the position until he retired in 2005. During his tenure the number of full-time college faculty increased from 281 to 435 and student enrollment almost doubled, from 4,307 to 8,465. New departments and academic programs were added, including five doctoral programs. Student services were expanded, adding a College Advising Center, and a technology service unit for students and faculty was established. Under his leadership, external funding and faculty research in the college grew significantly which greatly enhanced the growing reputation of UNC Charlotte as a major research university. After retiring in 2005, Dr. Lyons continued to teach for several years and recently authored the Politics and Government chapter in The North Carolina Atlas. Dr. Lyons was a 1955 graduate of Shepherd University and, following his military service, received his Ph.D. from American University in 1964. His research areas included North Carolina state and local politics and American Electoral behavior. His research continues to be cited and he was sought after as a political commentator in news media locally and regionally. His distinguished legacy includes the founding of Leadership Charlotte, which has cultivated over 1,000 community leaders since its inception in 1978, and the UNC Charlotte Taft Institute for Two-Party Government, which taught thousands of secondary school teachers to place real politics at the center of their teaching of social studies. Leadership Charlotte annually recognizes an outstanding community leader with the Schley R. Lyons Circle of Excellence award commemorating Dr. Lyons contributions to the development of civic leadership in Charlotte. In recognition of Dr. Lyons? 36 years of dedicated service to UNC Charlotte and the greater community, a lecture hall in Fretwell Hall is named in his honor. Dr. Lyons was known across the UNC Charlotte campus community for his distinctive laugh, his sharp political wit, his competitive tennis game, and his championship ballroom dancing skills. He will be missed by his many friends and colleagues. Dr. Lyons was preceded in death by his parents, Schley R. and Nellie M. Lyons. Survivors include, his wife, Marlene Lyons; son, Robert Lyons and his wife, Tammy; grandchildren, Vincent Lyons, Andrew Lyons and Katie Lyons; and Dina, the beloved Rottweiler. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the UNC Charlotte Department of Political Science, in care of the UNC Charlotte Foundation, 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28223. The family will receive friends Thursday from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Hankins and Whittington Funeral Service, 1111 East Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28203. Funeral service will be private.