A Message from Dr. Mark Lombardi

It is with great personal and professional sadness that I inform the Maryville community of the passing of Dr. James Harf.  Jim was a vital part of this community since 2008 leading our study abroad programs as Associate Vice President and as an active and prolific adjunct professor.  He built the Maryville  study abroad program from just a few students to hundreds per year studying around the world.  Maryville was literally Jim’s third act in the academy after a long career as a Professor of Political Science at The Ohio State University followed by another decade long stint as Professor and Director of International Programs at the University of Tampa.

During his long career Jim taught tens of thousands of students, authored dozens of books and articles and mentored countless graduate students into the field of international relations. I know. I was one of those fortunate mentees.

He was a world traveler, a scholar, an avid golfer, a football coach, a passionate lover of life, a sports fan, a political advisor, a media personality, an elected official, and most importantly, a devoted father to his daughter, Marie Harf.

We ask that you keep Marie in your thoughts and prayers.