The Ralph E. Martin Department of Chemical Engineering has opened the Dr. Jim L. Turpin Student Advising Center, made possible with a gift from the Mourot family, and formally dedicated in April.
Across two generations, there are four University of Arkansas chemical engineering graduates in the Mourot family, all of whom graduated while Turpin taught at the university. At the dedication, the department thanked Michael (B.S.Ch.E. ‘76, M.S.Ch.E. ‘77) and Janet Mourot; Joshua (B.S.Ch.E. ‘03) and Rebecca Buckmaster Mourot (B.S.Ch.E. ‘03); Jordan (B.S.Ch.E. ‘05) and Valerie Varner Mourot; and Alex and Mallory Mourot Garcia; for their generous support and remembrance of Jim Turpin.
Turpin received his B.S and M.S. degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Arkansas in 1960 and 1961. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma in 1966. He married Joyce in 1963, and upon his graduation, they made their home in Fayetteville, where Jim taught chemical engineering at the U of A until his retirement in 2009.
At the heart of the center is Turpin’s legacy of mentorship. Remembered by the Mourot family as a “transformational mentor,” Turpin provided guidance tailored to his students because of his ability to get to know each one personally.
Turpin was recognized for his ability to connect with students throughout his career with numerous accolades. Those include the UA Alumni Association Outstanding Teaching Award in 1982, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers’ National Outstanding Student Chapter Advisor Award in 1988, the Catalyst Award for Excellence in Teaching by the Chemical Manufacturer’s Association in 1991, the Carnegie Foundation Arkansas Professor of the Year in 1996, and the College of Engineering Outstanding Service to Students Award in 2003.
The dedication was attended by members of the Turpin and Mourot families as well as former students of Jim Turpin. Speakers at the dedication included Professor Keisha B. Walters, department head for chemical engineering; Professor Bob Beitle, who holds the Jim L. Turpin Professorship in Chemical Engineering; Michael Mourot; and Terry Turpin, Jim Turpin’s son.
Jim Turpin was a member of the inaugural class of the Arkansas Academy of Chemical Engineers in 2005. He was also a founding member of the UA Teaching Academy and a co-director of the Wally Cordes Teaching and Faculty Support Center.
“Dr. Jim Turpin served the university well, as a distinguished alumnus but most memorably as a wonderful professor and student advisor,” Walters said. “When remembering Dr. Turpin, our former students routinely talk about the extra time, attention and advice he gave each and every student who came to him with a question, concern or need. I cannot think of a more fitting remembrance of him than dedicating space for student advising in his honor.”
Turpin passed away in 2019 and is survived by his wife, Joyce Turpin; two sons, Tracy Turpin and wife Amy; and Terry Turpin and wife Kirsty; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
