The James L. Walsh Jr. Endowment for Humanities Research was established through Jim’s estate. Jim (’30) spent most of his life in Dallas, Texas, residing there from 1918 until his death in 1992. He received his master of laws degree from Southern Methodist University’s School of Law in 1933. He worked for Southwestern Life Insurance Company in Dallas, and ultimately became senior vice president and general counsel. He was president of the Notre Dame Club of Dallas and involved in many church and community organizations.

The humanities are central to the teaching and research mission of Notre Dame. The very nature of the academic enterprise, however, means that there will be constant shifts in areas of interest, and, on occasion, the Libraries are found wanting in their ability to support research in a particular emerging field of inquiry. Existing allocations are usually unable to deal with these occurrences without placing into jeopardy current acquisitions programs. The James L. Walsh Jr. Endowment for Humanities Research provides a means of addressing the collection needs.

Jim also established the James L. Walsh Jr. Endowed Collection in Russian and East European Literature and Culture.