Memorials

(Stuart) Craig Churchill (1962-2024)

Craig Churchill was born March 5, 1962, in Bryan, Texas, and spent most of his childhood there. In 1980 he joined his brother, Chet, as a student at Texas A&M University and was an active member of Aggies for Christ. In 1984, through Aggies for Christ, he met Anita Killough, and they were married in 1986.

Craig earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education in 1987 from Texas A&M. He then went on to study ministry, earning a Bachelor of Biblical Studies from the Institute for Christian Studies, an M.S. in Biblical Studies, and an M.Div. from Abilene Christian University. He also earned his M.L.S. from the University of Texas at Austin in 1994.

Craig began working at Abilene Christian University in 1992 and served for over 30 years as the university’s first, and only, dedicated theological librarian. He also taught many courses in the university’s Graduate School of Theology. In the library, he mentored countless student workers who went on to become professors, ministers, and theological librarians. Craig was admired by his colleagues for his amazing collection development skills, and he was the only librarian in Abilene Christian University’s history to serve as the Chair of the Faculty Senate.

In his personal life, Craig had a big heart for small churches, and he preached at many small congregations in North Texas throughout his years in ministry. Craig also had a big heart for those in need. He ministered to those in prison, and with Anita, they opened their home to those released, helping them on their way. They also often opened their home to those going through a rough patch and to the poor, as Craig mentored and served anyone in need. In memorializing Craig, his colleague Dr. Ken Cukrowski referred to him as “a Matthew 25 kind of Christian” who “leaves a legacy of deep faith, pure heart, and a passion for the lowly that models the heart of Christ.”

Craig is survived by his wife of 38 years, Anita, his brother, Chet, his three children, Jon, James, and Laura, and his granddaughter, Charlotte.

(Gay Marcille) Marci Frederick (1960-2024)

Marci Frederick was born September 30, 1962, in Rockford, Illinois, and passed away August 25, 2024, in Harrisonburg, Virginia, from cancer. She had a deep love for education, for baseball, and for the unique and strange–for Dooyeweerd and Japanese jazz. She was described as a woman of fierce intelligence and abiding faith.

Marci devoted her life to learning and the service of others. After earning a Bachelor’s Degree in History, she earned three master’s degrees. She held a Master’s in Philosophy of History from the Institute for Christian Studies, and from the University of Wisconsin she earned both a Master’s in American History and a Master’s in Library Science. At the time of her passing, she was also working on a Master’s of Divinity.

Marci served as the Director of Library and Information Services at the Institute for Christian Studies from 1992 to 1998. She later served as an Institute for Christian Studies Board trustee from 2018 until her passing.

In addition, she served King’s University in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, from 1998-2006, Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois, from 2006-2015, and from 2015-2024 she served at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She was seen as a constant and encouraging presence in these academic communities, where she was beloved by staff and students alike.

Throughout her career, Marci fought for the preservation of libraries and for the rights of workers. She was a passionate advocate for social justice, formed by her love of scripture and her Mennonite faith. In her work, she served on committees fighting for gender equality, environmental justice, and racial and ethnic diversity. In her church life, Marci was a regular preacher and song leader, devoted to the church and in service to others.

Marci is survived by her husband of 26 years, Paul Cook, her child, Blue, also known as Jocelyn, and her brother.

Patrick H. Alexander (1952 – 2024)

Patrick Alexander, the middle of three close brothers, was born in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, in 1952. The brothers were military brats living in Washington, Ohio, Alaska, Georgia, and finally, North Carolina, where Patrick graduated high school. He went to college in Missouri, and academic publishing entered his veins. Few in the academic disciplines in which he worked would not be touched by his personal and professional character and integrity.

In 2023, Patrick was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and given three months to live. He fought for more than a year with his two brothers and their families by his side. Reflecting on his death on May 20, 2024, his brother, Bruce, wrote that family and friends were “witness to an extraordinarily graceful exit, as [Patrick] embraced the end of life with calm acceptance, good humor, and dignity, a skill that I now know is possible.”

Patrick ended his career as the Director of Penn State University Press (PSUP), where he previously served as Associate Director, Editor-in-Chief of the Press, and Co-Director of the Libraries’ Office of Digital Scholarly Publishing. He led the press for nearly two decades, a finale to his forty-plus years in academic publishing, which also included Hendrickson Publishers, Walter de Gruyter, and Brill Academic Publishers. He also consulted on business plans to form a university press at Qatar University and University of Botswana.

Patrick’s resume describes a vocation, and he was committed to the entire academic publishing industry: author, reader, editors, libraries, publishers, and scholarly societies. He served on numerous boards and committees, including for the Association of University Presses, the Charleston Library Society, SPARC, ASOR, Project Muse, the Association of Learned and Professional Societies, and as an ALPS board liaison for the Coalition for Diversity and Inclusion in Scholarly Publishing. He published on scholarly communication and took the lead as contributing editor of the first edition of the SBL Handbook of Style.

That is just his professional resume. He mentored without trying. Like publishing, mentoring was in his veins. He was deeply committed to service, and taught writing and publishing workshops. In one recurring workshop, he helped graduate students of color advance past their doctoral degree to their first publication. He pleaded with young scholars to write well and not perpetuate the jargon of the academy. He demonstrated that in his own writing.

Two weeks before he passed, he called Atla Executive Director John Kutsko to ask if he had heard news of a friend who was unhappy in his job. When John called that friend, he learned that Patrick had already spoken to him and given him encouragement. In the midst of AML consuming him, Patrick reached out to a colleague.

Two days before he passed, his brother asked John to tell him about Patrick’s career. He said Patrick didn’t talk about his own work, what he did. He talked about the press, the work of his team, the authors, and the aspiring scholars in the workshops. That’s what he invested in, what made him proud. His brother knew people were fiercely loyal to him. He wanted to hear those stories.

About Patrick, John said, “Patrick was my first boss, my mentor, my friend, and a kind of big brother. I learned more from him about publishing, life-long intellectual curiosity, vocation, and fishing than from anyone. During his final year, weak from treatment, he took me for 6 bucks on a bet when we fished last. When I think of Patrick, the words of E.B. White at the end of Charlotte’s Web come to mind: ‘It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer.’ Patrick was both.”

Lara Jean Corazalla (1980-2024)

Lara Jean Corazalla was born October 12, 1980, in Rose Hill, Kansas, and passed away on August 7th, 2024, in Dallas, Texas, after a brief battle with cancer.

Lara was a very intelligent child who liked being challenged. In 1999, she graduated from North Garland High School, where she was active on the debate team and the Academic Decathlon. She earned an academic scholarship to Sweetbriar College in Lynchburg, Virginia, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Political Science. She was then employed by Southern Methodist University (SMU) and continued her education, earning her master’s degree in Librarian Studies from Texas Women’s University in 2007. Lara remained on staff at SMU and served as Librarian there for 20 years, during which time she also earned a law degree in 2015.

Lara was a dedicated employee at SMU and a trusted leader and problem-solver that many of the staff and students relied on over the years. Lara was an advocate for libraries and researchers, believing that technical services librarians should always treat everything they do as if they were working directly with the public. She recognized how important her role was in making material accessible to patrons. She was passionate about her career and always went above and beyond in her role.

Lara found joy in all of life’s simple pleasures as she lived life with a grateful heart. She had a way of making others feel special and loved with her selfless and gentle demeanor. From colleagues to acquaintances, everyone was able to recognize Lara’s beautiful soul and her kind nature.

Lara was also a proud progressive Democrat who was passionate about politics and enjoyed conversations about the ever-changing views and ideals of our great nation. She was a long-time and active member of the American Civil Liberties Union and Doctors Without Borders.

Lara was a wonderful daughter, sister, and friend, who valued those she loved more than anything. Lara left an imprint on many and will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew her, including her coworkers who she treasured as friends. She is preceded in death by her Grandma Jean and Aunt Cheryl. Lara is survived by her mother and stepfather, Linda and Rocky Pietila, her sister and brother-in-law, Jenny Corazalla and Aaron Lancaster, her uncle, Mark Riddle, and her long-time best friend, Laurel Haynes.