Colorado College Bulletin

To browse last issue's article on Jim Trissel, click here.

Remembering Jim

Art history majors may not be a large or highly visible population, but they are passionate. My passion was ignited by Jim Trissel.

I will always remember how energetically he discussed Stonehenge, how he expected his students to recognize a painting by Renoir when given a clue detail of about six brushstrokes, and how he stepped away from the screen, hand to chin, while contemplating Rubens' Abduction of the Daughters of Leucippus and quipped, "They'll never get them on that horse."

In my sophomore year, I chose an Art History survey course as an elective sheerly out of curiosity. I could remember only one - completely bewildering - art museum experience and thought Art History might "do me some good." It did more than that: Trissel's art history course changed my life.

With some finagling by the department chairman, I managed to "major" in art history (not officially possible then) and, thanks to CC's reputation and a nudge from Louis Geiger, proceeded to Ohio State University's well-established doctoral program on a full fellowship. In between, a five-month Grand Tour of Europe with CC classmate Ann Sauer Donovan (the trip was her idea) gave me a taste of the applicability of my CC major to life in the wider world.

Now, nearly 30 years down that road, I teach art history at UT-Austin and Baylor University; independently design and accompany "adventures in art history" around the U.S. and abroad; and, whenever possible, light or fan the tiny flame of art history in the people I meet.

I saw Jim Trissel a few times after graduation; it was not easy to be in touch with him. But what he transmitted to me proved durable. Jim Trissel changed my life and I have always been grateful.

--Karen Rechnitzer Pope '70

Jim will be missed. He was a terrific person/mentor/professor. He got a bunch of us so jazzed about the onset printing process that we formed a theme house around it my sophomore year. I spent many hours with him in the basement of Jackson House tinkering over the presses.

--Kathy French '87

The article on Jim Trissel was a lovely tribute to one of my favorite professors. About two weeks after reading my Bulleting, I received an e-mail from the Guild of Book Workers, of which I am a member. It was a plea concerning the future of The Press. It said that the college was currently considering whether to continue teaching and publishing at The Press.

This really alarmed me. The Press at Colorado College is one of about five college presses nationwide. It has the distinction of producing extraordinary artist's books that are highly collectible. In a world that is becoming more mass-market by the second, this becomes a truly unique resource for both the students who help produce them, and the college that promotes this sort of art.

--Abigail S. Jones '89

I encourage you to act on the suggestion of the Guild of Book Workers, to write a letter of support on behalf of The Press. Please address it to Professor David Mason, Department of English, Colorado College. Colorado Springs, CO 80903; or send e-mail.

While Jim was alive, his character and leadership defined The Press. Now that he is gone, I think that change is forthcoming. At this point we are exploring possibilities, but no decisions have been made. In fact there are probably further possibilities as yet unconsidered. For example, the new arts center is to be an interdisciplinary one, and where better to cross disciplines that in a book?

--Brian Molanphy, acting director, The Press at Colorado College

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