News Opinion Entertainment Features Sports Home
		Mannie Holmes An inspiration to others
		Professor Mannie Holmes 1947-1999
		by Sarah Lynn Alderfer and Sarah Speltz
		Features Editor and Editor
		Mannie Holmes served as assistant professor of social work at Wartburg College, a school and substance abuse counselor in Waterloo and Independence, and board chairman at People’s Clinic for the past seven years. But according to many Wartburg students, Holmes was also an incredible inspiration and role model to others. "Professor Holmes was truly a great man," said sophomore Jermaine Johnson. “It was hard not to like him,” Professor Susan Vallem, chair of Wartburg’s social work department, said of co-worker, Holmes. “Mannie was delightful to be around. He had a wonderful sense of humor,” Vallem said. Holmes died Monday, Sept. 20 at Allen Hospital after suffering a massive stroke. He was 52. He graduated from Wartburg in 1971 and was an Iowa Conference wrestling champion for the Knights. He earned his master’s degree in social work from the University of Iowa and worked as a professional social worker until 1995, when he began teaching at Wartburg. Holmes will be remembered in the Wartburg community as a teacher, advisor and mentor to many. “Mannie really cared about all his students and was always pushing them to do well,” Vallem said. "Mannie helped me to be the person I am today by encouraging me to accomplish my goals and always having a positive outlook on life," senior Nicole Williams said. "He was totally carefree," said junior Mandy Schaller, "and he had a really distinct laugh ... You’d just lose track of time talking to him." Vallem said, "There’s a lot of grief among the students about Mannie. His care for people and his laugh ... we’re going to miss that infectious laugh that brightened everyone’s day." Not only was Holmes a guiding presence on Wartburg’s campus, he was also a leader in his field. As chairman of the People’s Clinic Board, Holmes helped make it possible for the clinic to move to a new $4.5 million freestanding building at East Seventh and Franklin streets. It is the first time in the clinic’s 23-year history it has owned its own building. In addition to local work, Holmes was well known and respected in Washington, D.C. as an advocate for children’s health care. Holmes loved children and worked hard to see that they were all taken care of. Schaller said she found her passion for social work through Holmes’ work and all the people he had helped. "If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be a social work major," Schaller said. "I can remember days in class just thinking to myself how one person could accomplish so much in so little time," Johnson said. Holmes’ work on campus and in the community will continue to touch the lives of others. In addition to his many recent accomplishments and involvement, Holmes worked with troubled adolescents in a substance abuse unit at the state Mental Health Institute in Independence. He worked for Area Education Agency 7 from 1981 to 1996 as a school social worker, and he has also served on the board of theFamily Service League. Holmes loved teaching at Wartburg and was very active in promoting diversity on Wartburg College campus. Holmes taught social work classes, a section of Person and Society, and a May Term American minorities course, among others. Vallem said they considered Holmes to be the “children and family expert” of Wartburg’s social work department because of all his experience. Holmes was also the coordinator of Person and Society for this school year. "In our P&S class, [Holmes’] discussion would keep us enlightened, and he would get you to speak your mind through what we learned ... and in May Term, in my American Minorities class, there were so many barriers broken on this campus through one class. It was unbelievable," said Johnson. "I’ll remember him mostly for his wisdom." Schaller said she would remember Holmes because "he was a man who always pushed you ... and wanted you to be the best social worker. "He always encouraged me to find my potential and use my gifts in the field of social work." Holmes was born Jan. 8, 1947 in Durant, Mass. to Mary Ann Jones and Percy Holmes, and he was raised by his mother and William Shavers Sr. Holmes married Hattie D. Stevens on Dec. 29, 1967, in Waterloo, IA. He is survived by his wife; three sons, Brenton D. Shavers of Minneapolis, Mannie "JJ" and Jeremy T. Holmes of Waterloo; a daughter, Shana D. Holmes of Waterloo; four grandchildren; his mother of Waterloo; four brothers, Roosevelt and Willie T. Shaver Jr., and Ronald and Percy Holmes Jr. of Waterloo; and four sisters, Barbara Muhammad of Des Moines, Ella L. Ellis and Darlene Shavers of Waterloo, and Rose Hogsett of Durant. An infant son, Mark Lynn, his father, and his biological father preceded him in death. Memorial may be directed to the family at 710 Greenbriar Road, Waterloo, IA 50703. "Mannie will always live in my heart because he helped me through college, and I know that the sky is the limit," said Williams. "Not only did he teach about caring, he did it." Said Vallem. "He will be sorely missed as a co-worker and as a friend." Senior Vernon Birmingham, remembers passing Professor Holmes every other day on campus. “He always had his briefcase in one hand and his other hand in his pocket. When we would get to each other he would smile and point at me and I would point right back. He would say, ‘What’s up young brotha,” and I would say, ‘You!’ and he would just laugh. I’m going to miss pointing every other day with my main man Mannie.” "I thank God for him and for the time I got to know him," said Johnson. "May he be remembered always."