James F. Snyder

James F. Snyder, Bank of America Teaching Professor Emeritus, College of Charleston, passed away on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at age 88.

Professor Snyder was born October 13, 1936, in Dalmatia, PA. Son of the late Catherine S. Herb and stepson of the late Charles M. Herb of Mount Pleasant, and his late father, Robert F. Snyder of Elizabethville, PA. He received his BS and MEd from Bloomsburg University, PA and his Ph.D. from the University of Georgia. In 1958 he started teaching in Newton, NJ, coached basketball, and returned to PA in 1962. Before earning his doctorate, he served several years as a Regional Director of the Educational Service Bureau for Dow Jones and Company, Inc., where he continued his service focus and associated philosophy of giving back.

Jim believed teaching is a performance art. He spent 5 years teaching at Arizona State University (ASU) where he took on executive training in management. He came to the College of Charleston in the fall of 1975 to utilize his strengths in teaching and service with his people skills. He was honored as the first Teaching Professor at the College from Bank of America.

At the College he focused on encouraging, supporting his students and preparing them for the real business world. He also created and continually transformed pioneer offerings in the international arena with an initial focus on Economic Development. He was a recipient of the prestigious Leavey Foundation Award for Excellence in Private Enterprise Education from Freedom Foundations for his innovative Study Abroad program.

Jim contributed workshops to the College and local community organizations, building so many bridges along the way and sharing his insights, wisdom, and expertise. After Jim retired he was off to teach, travel, and experience more of this international dimension he was itching to take part in. He continued teaching as an invited visiting professor in graduate programs in South East Asia and Eastern Europe for many years.

Jim was a great husband, and a supportive and loving dad. His sense of humor, warmth and outgoing nature bought joy to people around him. He could remember each student's names after the first class. Beyond the classroom, he continued the friendships with many of his students through their different stages of lives. He was an athlete, a voracious reader, traveler, dancer, sports fan and golfer. He lived his life to the fullest.

Jim is survived by his wife, Maggie Snyder; son, Craig A. Snyder (Lura) of Atlanta, GA; grandson, Jett H. Snyder; step-granddaughter Hailey Tomlin, and various cousins in Hershey, PA.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on the CofC campus later this year.

In lieu of flowers - Jim was very allergic- gifts may be made to The College of Charleston Foundation for the James F. Snyder European Studies Fund , 66 George Street, Charleston, SC 29424 or online at https://givecharleston.org/Memorial-James-Snyder.