Loyal Alumnus Championed Rutgers and Robeson

James C. “Jim” Savage Sr. died October 26, one week after unveiling of mural of Paul Robeson at SHI Stadium.

Jim Savage’s last visit to Rutgers University was one of celebration. 

Savage—a Class of 1971 graduate who tirelessly volunteered on behalf of Rutgers causes for more than four decades—died October 26 following a 10-year battle with prostate cancer. Savage was deeply involved up to the end, visiting campus a week prior to his death to see the unveiling of a 24 foot by 8 foot mural of iconic Rutgers alumnus Paul Robeson during the Scarlet Knights homecoming football game. 

The initiative for the Robeson tribute at SHI Stadium originated with Savage and ultimately involved a joint effort across the university.

“Little did we know that this would be his final gift and trip to his beloved Rutgers University,” says Kendall Hall, a past president and co-founder of the Rutgers African-American Alumni Alliance who worked with Savage on the mural and also partnered with him on the creation of Paul Robeson Plaza on the College Avenue Campus. The plaza was dedicated in 2019, the 100th anniversary of Robeson’s Rutgers graduation. 

Hall RC’88, founder and president of the Ubuntu Cultural Pavilion in Somerville, New Jersey, praised Savage’s commitment to Rutgers and Robeson.

“His passing is a tremendous loss for the Rutgers community and a greater personal loss for me,” Hall says. “Our ongoing collaborative efforts over the last eight years made for a great friendship. He was a fiercely determined and thoughtful man.”

Kimberly Hopely, executive vice president for development and alumni engagement for Rutgers and president of the Rutgers University Foundation, says Savage’s efforts resonated across the university.

"Jim was a man of conviction and tenacity who believed in Rutgers and our ability to become a more inclusive and caring community,” Hopely says. “He cared deeply about people and their capacity to do good. I grieve his passing along with so many of my Foundation colleagues and Rutgers alumni."

Savage’s honors from Rutgers organizations include the Rutgers Excellence in Alumni Leadership Award, the 2017 Rutgers Volunteer of the Year Award, the Loyal Son of Rutgers Award, the Committee to Advance our Common Purposes Award, and the Rutgers African-American Alumni Keepers of the Legacy Award.

Arrangements are being handled by Orender Family Home for Funerals, and an obituary is forthcoming. Plans are underway to host a memorial service for him on the Rutgers campus in the spring. 

For more about Savage, see his biography and video acceptance speech on the RAAA page and a People of Rutgers feature interview with him.