Dr. James Como Memorial Scholarship

Dr. James Como Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser

James Timothy Como (1946–2025) was a distinguished scholar, lecturer, and Professor Emeritus of Rhetoric and Public Communication at York College (CUNY), where he began teaching in 1968 and founded the Speech discipline within the Department of Fine and Performing Arts. Over a 50-year academic career, Dr. Como became internationally recognized as one of the foremost scholars on C.S. Lewis, authoring numerous books, including Branches to Heaven, Remembering C.S. Lewis, and A Very Short Introduction to C.S. Lewis (Oxford University Press). A founding member of the New York C.S. Lewis Society, he lectured widely across the United States and abroad until his passing shortly after delivering what would be his final lecture in Bucharest, Romania.

Born in East Harlem and educated at Queens College, Fordham University, and Columbia University, Dr. Como was a dedicated teacher, writer, and mentor whose intellectual rigor was matched by his deep faith, curiosity about the world, and devotion to family. He is remembered not only for his scholarship and leadership but for his generosity of spirit, storytelling, and enduring commitment to his students. This scholarship honors his lifelong dedication to learning, communication, and the transformative power of education.

This scholarship supports students who embody Dr. Como’s commitment to:

• Excellence in communication and rhetoric

• Intellectual curiosity and disciplined scholarship

• Ethical leadership and thoughtful engagement

• Service to community and culture

Through financial support, we aim to remove barriers and empower students to pursue their education with confidence and purpose — just as Dr. Como believed they could.

A Legacy That Lives On

Dr. Como was not only a scholar but a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and mentor. His love of storytelling, faith, culture, and spirited debate lives on in the students he inspired and the family he cherished.

Through this scholarship, his voice continues — in classrooms, in conversations, and in the lives of students who will shape the future.