STEVEN ARNOLD
Staff Writer
After 26 impressive years of service to the Pepperdine academic community James Thomas is still casting spells of intrigue on his students through the enchantment of classic literature.
Thomas, an expert on 20th century Southern writers such as Lyle Saxon, Sherwood Anderson, and the highly influential William Faulkner, has given great effort to bringing awareness to these literary giants. Thomas has taught courses such as Contemporary American Poetry, American Humor, and Western Heritage almost every term since 1988.
This intellectual mind lives and teaches as a great fan of good and thoughtful literature. He has published multiple poems and presented many papers at conferences worldwide. He recently received an invitation to be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Harry Potter convention in Toronto, Canada, this August.
Thomas became a Harry Potter enthusiast when his daughter introduced him to the famed adolescent adventures. Like so many others, he asked the question “Why would anyone read about wizards?” and, after reading his first Harry Potter book, has been a devoted follower ever since.
This past semester Thomas began teaching a first-year seminar for new students who are well read and interested in the symbolism and interlaced representations within the popular J.K Rowling series.
Shortly after the third installment of the Potter series had been released, Thomas was traveling cross-country by airplane. As he walked through the cramped center isle of the aircraft he noticed both a small older Asian woman and a large African American male both engaged by the same “magic” that had affected him so greatly.
Thomas said that much of his appreciation for literature and especially of the Potter series is its ability to transcend ethnicity, race, or any social or economical differences to bring people to a common place.
He is a native of Knoxville, Tenn., and a graduate of the University of Tennessee where he received his master’s degree in English. While attending college he also lost his bachelor status after meeting his wife, Kanet, who is now the manager of Pepperdine’s Special Programs division.
Thomas also taught English and literature at David Lipscomb University, a church of Christ sister school of Pepperdine based in Nashville. Thomas enjoyed his time in Tennessee, especially the football as a passionate Volunteer fan, but he and his family changed locations to enjoy a better climate and a new challenge.
After Thomas graduated from high school there was a large push for young students to move into the natural science divisions in most universities. Thomas began his secondary academic career as a chemistry major, though he never truly enjoyed himself.
It was only after one particular summer when Thomas had to choose between his feeling of necessity in the medical profession and his intense love for literature. “ For me, poetry was my petry dish,” Thomas said. He has been blessed and thankful to have a family that was supportive of his decision to switch academic lifestyles.
Thomas’ teaching methods are simple yet effective. He wants his students to dive into the words written by the great American authors, to let the beauty of words impact their thoughts and mental processes and to be involved in the works they read.
Thomas is adamant about the notion of truly loving what you do, as well as doing what you love. He quotes the poem “Two Tramps In Mud Time” by Robert Frost, which speaks to the idea of one’s work and play being one in the same.
“But yield who will to their separation, my object in living is to unite. My avocation and my vocation. As my two eyes make one in sight. Only where love and need are one, and the work is play for mortal stakes, Is the deed ever really done. For heaven and the future’s sakes,” states Frost masterfully.
“Robert Frost often reminds you of what you didn’t know you knew,” Thomas said after reading the meaningful passage. “Whether your love is organic chemistry or literature, if you can’t tell it work from play? It must be difficult to get up Monday morning.” Thomas considers himself lucky to be one of those people who are able to love what they do and get paid for it.
Thomas spends his free time the same way he spends his office hours, buried in books and reading classic works. Thomas also enjoys “extreme sports” such as crossword puzzles, walks with his wife, and spending time with his two granddaughters.
James Thomas has spent a majority of his life doing what he loves, a story he prays his students can tell some day. He hopes that they look back on their own account and know that they followed their heart and truly loved the life they chose. Such a tale can be told without the help of magic or wizardry but by appreciating your purpose and accepting your call.
Thomas has accepted this call and has served education well, reaping many rewards over his 26 years at Pepperdine. He now persists into his 27th year, still impacting students in a positive way through the avenue of literature as a constant example of bringing avocation and vocation together as one experience.
Do you believe in magic?
04-16-2007
