Faculty + Staff

Jim earned his bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of Detroit in 1964, his Master’s Degree in Urban Planning from Wayne State University in 1972, and enrolled in numerous postgraduate courses studying building performance. His academic positions included the U.S. Army Engineer School where he was Instructor and Chief of the Protective Branch on Fort Belvoir Army Base in Alexandria, VA, from 1965-67, a lecturer at the University of Detroit College of Engineering from 1971-74, and Professor of Architecture from 1974-2005 at Lawrence Technological University, and awarded Professor Emeritus in 2005.

Jim was the Principal of James J. Abernethy Architects, Site Development Coordinator for Ward Presbyterian Church, and Associate Director for the University of Detroit’s Professional Advisory Service Center.

Jim’s research into building and structure safety was vast and focused on building safety in schools and residences during devastating tornadoes. For many years, he collaborated with the Defense Civil Preparedness Agency, National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council, FEMA, National Weather Service, and meticulously documented tornado damage throughout the Midwest from 1974 to the June 2010 Lake County, Ohio, tornado.

Jim was awarded 1970 Teacher of the Year from the University of Detroit College of Engineering, 1999 MI Architecture Professor of the Year Award, 2003 Habitat for Humanity Award, and 2005 Lawrence Technological University Faculty Person of the Year Award. He served on the Farmington Zoning Board of Appeals from 1976-78, and City Planning Commission from 1978-84. He was a Farmington Public Schools Trustee from 1984-1992, Habitat for Humanity facilitator from 1996-2005, sat on the board of directors for the Metropolitan Detroit Construction Specifications Inst., and was a Tornado Safety Workshop presenter for government, education and business organizations.