May 30, 2002
Contact: Robert Lowery (509-963-1487/fax 509-963-2301/e-mail: loweryr@cwu.edu)
ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Dr. S.K. "Kelly" Ainsworth, 55, died Tuesday, May 28,
2002 in Salem, Ore. of brain cancer. Ainsworth was director of off-campus
studies and international education at Willamette University.
At Central Washington University, Ainsworth served as director of
international programs and professor of anthropology from 1989 to 1993.
While at Central, his self-stated goal was to "internationalize the entire
Ellensburg campus. We want everyone to be impacted to some degree by our
programs."
Ainsworth served as the university's principal liaison with its sister
institutions abroad, and oversaw CWU's study abroad, international student
services, University English as a Second Language (UESL) and Asia University
America programs. He was also instrumental in the conception and creation
of the university's Donald L. Garrity Memorial Japanese Garden, which was
dedicated in 1992. He is remembered as an engaged and energetic
administrator who loved travel and history.
Prior to coming to Ellensburg, Ainsworth was the director of international
programs at Clarion University of Pennsylvania and Virginia State
University. He also served with the history faculty at Virginia State and
the University of Richmond. He received his bachelor's degree from
California State University, Fullerton, in 1970, and his Ph.D. from Duke
University in 1975.
Ainsworth is survived by his wife, Meg Eberle, Salem, Ore.
A memorial gathering will be held Wednesday, June 5, at 2 p.m. in Cone
Chapel at Willamette University.
