James E. Rogers

Below is a biographical profile of James E. Rogers (often known as “Jim Rogers”), focusing on his role in education, philanthropy, and leadership in higher-education systems — since there is not a well-known educator by exactly that name in more conventional academic circles. If you had a different “James E. Rogers” in mind (e.g. an academic in your country), I can adjust.

James E. Rogers – Life, Career, and Educational Legacy

James E. “Jim” Rogers (1938–2014) was an American lawyer, broadcaster, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for higher education. He served as interim chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education and donated generously to universities, most notably the University of Arizona’s law school, which bears his name.

Introduction

James E. “Jim” Rogers is remembered not primarily as a classroom educator, but as a transformative figure for higher education through philanthropy, institutional leadership, and public advocacy. His life bridged law, media, business, and civic engagement. In the field of education, his influence is most visible in his leadership at the Nevada System of Higher Education and in the endowments and reforms he championed for universities in Nevada and Arizona.

Early Life and Family

James E. Rogers was born on September 15, 1938 in Louisville, Kentucky. He graduated from Las Vegas High School in 1956.

He held multiple degrees across institutions:

• Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a law degree (LL.B.) from the University of Arizona

• Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the University of Southern California

• Honorary doctorates from several institutions (including the University of Arizona, Idaho State University, UNLV, Carroll College, etc.)

He was married to Beverly Barlow. From a previous marriage, Rogers had three children: Suzanne, Kimberly, and Perry.

He passed away on June 14, 2014, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Career Path: Law, Media & Business

Legal and Early Professional Work

Rogers practiced law in Las Vegas from 1964 to 1988. His early legal work included being a teaching fellow in the law school of the University of Illinois in 1963–64.

He also served as a member of multiple state bar associations (Nevada, Arizona, California).

Broadcasting & Media Entrepreneurship

In 1971, Rogers founded Valley Broadcasting Company, which over time evolved into a network of television stations across the Intermountain West under Sunbelt Communications (later known as Intermountain West Communications).

In 1979, he took over the NBC affiliate in Las Vegas (KVBC, formerly KLRJ / KORK-TV). Over the years, his media holdings expanded to stations in Nevada, Arizona, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and more.

By ceasing legal practice in 1988, he devoted himself full-time to growing his media enterprises.

His media enterprises also served civic purposes — Rogers often used station platforms to discuss public policy, education, and community issues.

Educational Leadership & Philanthropy

Interim Chancellor, Nevada System of Higher Education

On May 7, 2004, the Board of Regents appointed Rogers as Interim Chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education. In that role, he engaged with university presidents, faculty, and legislators on budget, planning, accountability, and system-wide reforms.

He pressed for reliable funding, performance measures, and enhancement of research and graduation rates in Nevada’s colleges and universities. His outspoken style sometimes included memos and public commentary on policy choices affecting higher education.

After his interim term, many of the priorities he introduced persisted in system policies.

Major Philanthropic Contributions

Rogers and his wife used their wealth to support educational institutions in significant ways:

• He donated $115 million to the University of Arizona College of Law, prompting the renaming to James E. Rogers College of Law in 1998.

• He gave or pledged large amounts to University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) College of Law (tens of millions)

• He supported the Engineering College at University of Nevada, Reno via contributions to the Dean’s Advisory Council and pledges.

• He also supported Idaho State University, serving on its foundation board and donating to its programs.

• His media company built a facility at Great Basin Community College (Elko, Nevada) combining broadcast studios and classrooms.

Rogers viewed these gifts as investments in talent, access, and community stability.

He often emphasized that philanthropy in education must be strategic — supporting faculty, scholarships, and infrastructure rather than symbolic naming.

Philosophy & Public Voice on Education

Though not a traditional educator, Rogers spoke frequently about the value, challenges, and priorities of higher education. Some of his notable views include:

• Access over price alone: “It makes no difference how low tuition is if the student has no source of funds to pay that tuition.”

• Need-based scholarships: He saw lack of need-based aid as one of the central barriers for students.

• Efficiency and accountability: He insisted that institutions use public and donor funds responsibly, with clear performance metrics.

• Higher education as economic engine: He argued that states cannot sustain competitiveness without strong research universities.

• Public advocacy and transparency: “When in doubt, one can rarely go wrong by going public.”

• On academia and freedom: He supported tenure when it protects academic freedom, but warned against misuse.

He was known for a direct, often blunt communication style, regularly writing commentaries or open letters on education and governance.

Legacy & Impact

• The James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona remains a living testament to his commitment to legal education and institutional building.

• Many of the educational reforms, funding principles, and accountability expectations he championed in Nevada continue to influence the state’s higher-education policies.

• His philanthropic model is often cited as exemplary—large gifts coupled with active engagement and long-term strategy.

• Rogers shaped public discourse about education in his region, using media and his platform to hold policymakers to account.

• In academic and civic circles in Nevada and Arizona, his name is associated with ambitious investments in human capital and regional development.