Our Real Michigan Men: James Earl Jones and Jim Duderstadt
Michigan Legends: James Duderstadt’s Leadership and the Legacy of James Earl Jones — they died 19 days apart
University of Michigan President James Duderstadt and U-M alumnus James Earl Jones died 19 days apart.
Our Fight Song sums them up: “Hail to Michigan, the leaders and best.”
Both were GOATS (the greatest of all time) whose stories help define the meaning of the phrase “Michigan Men.”
U-M President Santa Ono hailed Jones for being “exceptional in craft, humble in achievement, a pioneer, an artist and a leader.” Ono noted Duderstadt was a visionary and an energetic engineer who turned “visions into realities.”
President Duderstadt (aka The Dude) was my favorite teacher and a true mentor during my eight years at Michigan. All know James Earl Jones.
The world heard Jones. He was among 21 people in history to win the EGOT: an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. He provided the voices of Darth Vader and the Lion King.
His deep voice announced, “This — is CNN.”
But his favorite performance was when he narrated the Bible (many guess the Voice of God sounds like James Earl Jones).
