by Anna Roy
Staff Writer
University of La Verne Associate Professor of History James LeSueur will leave ULV after four years here, opting to take a position at the University of Nebraska in the city of Lincoln.
There, he will have the opportunity to work in a larger department with more time allotted for writing and research as well as better financial prospects. In addition, the school is offering him different types of sabbaticals, including a possible early sabbatical.
“They are mainly interested in having me write,” said LeSueur of his new position.
LeSueur made the decision to leave with a variety of reasons in mind. At the University of La Verne, he said he was teaching overload courses on a regular basis. These courses were taken on by him for financial reasons. He described the process of teaching while researching as “arduous,” because he was working on various books during his time at ULV.
As a professor and an academic, LeSueur said, “I love to do it. We’re blessed, we really are, people who write and teach. We’re blessed with a profession that allows us to pursue our passion.”
He is the author of two forthcoming books on decolonization; one is a source book and the other, a reader. Other books in the works include one on the comparative history of 20th century European decolonization and one that focuses on popular culture and postcolonial politics in France.
One of LeSueur’s major works includes a book currently under review in the prestigious Chronicle of Higher Education.
“It’s a big honor, a very big honor,” said LeSueur, of the review, which can be read in the March 30 edition.
The Chronicle of Higher Education selects to print the work of professionals doing cutting-edge research. “It’s the Sports Illustrated of the academic world,” said LeSueur.
He was pleased about the nod from the Chronicle. “It also suggests that the research I was doing here resonates within society and within the academy.”
The book under review in the is titled, “Assassination! July 14” by Ben Abro. The book is being reissued with a compelling afterword by LeSueur after he became aware of its existence and worked with the authors to reissue it. The book had a libel suit brought against it in the early 1960s, and for that reason the publishing company behind the book did not want anything to do with it. It was then pulled off shelves, labeled as a “tainted book.”
LeSueur has also been targeted by the prestigious French publication Liberation for an interview and review of his books.
Currently, his books are used in his classes here at the University. He said that having a professor write a book, and then teach from it, sets a good example for students. “It helps students understand that what we do really matters. Students see that because they hold the evidence in their hands,” he said. “Have them read your passion.”
Students and faculty have responded with sadness to the news of LeSueur’s departure.
“Jim opened my mind up to so many things going on in the world. I would say he is my intellectual mentor and friend,” said senior Maria Muñoz.
She enjoyed his classes as well. “He runs a seminar style classroom, which leaves room for discussion. He challenges us to think. He does it without any judgments. He’ll let you speak your mind and he won’t condemn you for what you say. I think a lot of people are sad that they didn’t take his classes. ULV will not only miss a terrific instructor, but he also created a faculty-lecture series and has done a lot of things to put them on the map in terms of publications,” Muñoz said.
The University of Nebraska is a tier one school, which will allow him to research more. He will mainly teach two courses, one undergraduate and one graduate. He will also have the opportunity to conduct graduate seminars.
Richard Gelm, head of the Political Science Department said, “He’s rounded out our history major in the areas of European and North African. He brought a high level of energy and excitement to the department.”
The History Department plans on hiring a one-year replacement, and begin searching for a permanent teacher in the fall of this year.
“We are very saddened by his departure. He was a tremendous asset to this department. We’ll be hard pressed to replace him,”said Gelm.
Zoila Garcia, secretary of the Political Science Department said, “I have mixed feelings. La Verne is a teaching institution. I wish he could stay though, because he’s a good teacher. The main thrust of La Verne is teaching and Jim enjoys teaching but he’s the kind of person that enjoys researching and writing. He’s the type of professor I wish La Verne could keep, because to me, research and teaching compliment each other.”
LeSueur mentioned that financial factors played a major role in his decision to leave.
“I really appreciate the support that the administration has given me. I’ve gotten money to do my research projects, its limited but they did help and I really did appreciate that,” he said.
Though he also said, “I would need a $30-40,000 raise to compensate for how much less expensive it is in Nebraska to buy a house. California is so out of control for people, it’s hard to buy a home and start a family.”
LeSueur encourages the University to work on having merit pay for faculty who are writing, as well as differential salaries for people that the university wants to keep.
“I think that it’ll have to make that adjustment, and it will,” he said.
LeSueur said he would miss several things about La Verne. Among them, “I’ll miss the small classes, where overtime I’ve gotten to know my students very well. I’ll miss having the close interaction with students. I consider them my friends.”
According to LeSueur students should follow their heart. “Work without heart is just work. Students see that they can do the same thing because I tell my students that, and I expect my students to win a Nobel Peace Prize or a Pulitzer or any other prizes they want.”
LeSueur mentioned that he wanted to stay, but family was an important factor, as his wife works in the Midwest area. “I’ve had pretty much nothing but good experiences at La Verne,” he stated.
Anna Roy
