PLU professor killed

Lutheran, The, Jul 2001 by Londgren, Richard

A week before final exams, on May 17, James Holloway, 40, a professor of music and organist at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Wash., was shot and killed on campus.

Holloway was shot at random by Donald Cowan, 55, who had been stalking another music professor, Kathleen Farner. Cowan had dated Farner for two weeks about 30 years ago. Frustrated by failing to reconnect with her, he shot Holloway and left a 16-page explanation of his action before turning one of two guns on himself. Cowan died a short time later.

"Several students saw or heard this happen," university spokesperson Katherine Hedland told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Students at the ELCA school called police and tried unsuccessfully, with campus officers, to resuscitate Holloway.

Holloway created the university's mentoring program for church music vocations. A winner in 16 organ competitions at the state, regional and national level, he was known as a popular, challenging teacher who was always ready to help students.

Augsburg Fortress, Publishers, will release a book of Holloway's hymn improvisations this summer.

School administrators quickly called a campuswide meeting to let students know what had happened and what counseling resources would be available to them.

A campus memorial service was held May 18. But students didn't wait for formal gatherings. Several groups of three and four were seen around campus, often facing inward, holding hands or linking arms, praying softly.

The university established a memorial fund in memory of Holloway, who is survived by his wife, Judy Carr, a PLU administrator; and five stepchildren.

Richard Londgren, The Lutheran's correspondent for the Northwest Washington Synod, contributed to this report.