“Philosophy is often a difficult subject for students… despite that I think Earle always found ways to engage students to help them understand the struggle for big ideas.”
These words were expressed by Stephen D. Gottfredson, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, while describing Earle Coleman, a professor emeritus of philosophy and religious studies who died March 1, 2005, at age 63.
Coleman often engaged his students with magic.
“Earle was a man of surprises, sometimes using magic to illustrate points in class,” said Gottfredson, who served as dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences during part of Coleman’s 33-year tenure at VCU.
Ashley Inglehart, a junior philosophy major, remembered some of Coleman’s tricks.
“When class attendance was really low,” she said, “he would do magic tricks at the beginning as a reward for those who came to class. He really had a gift of sleight of hand. It was really an incentive to go to class.
“They (magic tricks) weren’t central to his lecture – it was a treat. He did at least one trick for each semester.”
Eugene Mills, associate professor of philosophy, said this talent helped Coleman become one of the most popular professors among students in the department as well as with his colleagues.
“At every departmental party the highlight was always having Earle do magic at the end of the party. All of us were his victims at one time or another,” Mills said.
John Smallie, a former student and fellow entertainer, said Coleman always had something new at magician events.
“Which is not easy to do. It’s no small accomplishment,” he said.
Coleman belonged to the magic world as a “cardician,” meaning someone who performs close-up-card magic.
As a young boy, Coleman often would practice his magic while sitting in the art museums of Chicago, where, Smallie said, Coleman developed his appreciation of aesthetics. This was before he taught classes and published books that aimed to connect art, philosophy and religion.
“He discussed (magic) as an art in the hopes that everyone would take it a bit more seriously,” Smallie said, referring to Coleman’s book “Magic: A Reference Guide,” which can be found in the James Branch Cabell Library along with his other books.
“Magicians in the end will be remembered in spite of ourselves,” Smallie said, while sitting in Divine Magic & Novelties, a shop Coleman also frequented.
Remembered most as a kind, studious and contemplative man with a great sense of humor, Gottfredson said VCU will remember him as “a great citizen of the university. Earle is one of the people who made VCU what it is today.”
A March 12 memorial service honored Coleman.