Jim Phillips, a beloved and founding faculty member of Cypress College, passed away, leaving a legacy that will be honored at a memorial service on June 20. Phillips was one of the original 18 faculty members who transferred from Fullerton College to help launch Cypress College in 1966, making him a charter member of the institution.
He taught economics for 42 years before retiring in 2008, becoming a fixture on campus and in the Cypress community. His impact was so profound that alumni often inquired whether he was still teaching, a testament to his influence long before the era of online professor ratings.
In his memory, his wife, Cathy, has established the Jim Phillips Endowment at the Cypress College Foundation. Additionally, upon his retirement, the Jim Phillips Economics Department Scholarship Fund was created for economics majors with financial need.
Contributions to the endowment can be made through the Cypress College Foundation website by selecting the scholarship from the drop-down menu. The memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 20, at 11 a.m.
at the Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist in Long Beach.