UpDate - Vol. 12, No. 8, Page 3
October 22, 1992
Alumni, friends pay tribute to mentor James Soles
It takes two hours to read through the thick notebook of letters
supporting James R. Soles' nomination as the University's first Alumni
Distinguished Professor. There are glowing letters support from more
than a dozen colleagues and close to 20 letters of support from former
students. There are 94 additional letters written in l983 by students
and colleagues who supported Soles' promotion to full professor. They
are emotional letters of love for a very special man. Here is just a
sampling from letters written this fall:
"When I began attending the University of Delaware as a freshman
in the fall of 1984, I harbored a good deal of apprehension regarding
my abilities and potential as a college student. I was the first
person in my family to attend college; I had graduated from Wilmington
High School, which at that time sent only a tiny fraction of its
students on to four-year institutions; I had received a mediocre score
on the Scholastic Aptitude Test. I felt, at that time, that simply
graduating from college would be a challenging achievement and a
sufficient goal. I could have never foreseen that, over the next eight
years, I would receive the national Harry S. Truman Scholarship, the
political science department's Paul Dolan and Barry Ulin awards and
the University's Alexander J. Taylor Award, or that I would go on to
attend and graduate from Yale Law School. I share each of these
accomplishments with James R. Soles and can trace them all to the
commitment and inspiration he has shown me as an educator and as a
friend." -Joseph C. Schoell, Delaware '88
"I began my first semester of college at the University in the
fall of l98l.... I was both anxious and excited to begin my college
education, but for all the wrong reasons.... I received a 1.8
cumulative average and dropped out of school. After a year or so...I
returned to the University as a continuing education student to bring
my cumulative average back up and gain admittance to full time status.
Due to my prior action, however, my parents and friends viewed my
intentions as just another episode of indecision on my part and a
waste of time. No one I knew had faith in me or trusted that I could
accomplish my goal and I could not blame them.... It was during this
confusing and depressing time that I met Dr. Soles...his concern and
confidence in me changed my life.... I became organized in my studies,
consistently improved my cumulative average and made dean's list for
four semesters. Through Dr. Soles' guidance, I realized that no goal
was unattainable..... Dr. Soles arranged for a Winter Session
internship with Sen. Joseph Biden in Washington. I had never left
Delaware, yet here I was in our nation's capital, at the center of
power.... Upon graduation from the University in l988, I entered law
school. There I was dean's list, a member and editor of law review, a
member of the...honor society, chairman of the academic standards
committee, a member of (the) legal honors fraternity and my law school
writing requirement...was published by the Delaware Journal of
Corporate Law. I am a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania and
Washington...and am now employed as a law clerk for the president
judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. When these milestones in
my young career occurred, I called Dr. Soles first. When I got
engaged, I called Dr. Soles first. It was for all these reasons and
many more unmentioned that I asked Dr. Soles to be the best man in my
wedding in August l991. And once again, he was beloved by everyone."
-Albert A. Citro III, Delaware '88
"I first entered Smith Hall seeking the guidance of Prof. Soles
in the fall of l98l and most recently in the spring of l99l. The first
time, I asked him for advice about what I should study while at
Delaware; most recently, I asked him for advice as to whether I should
change careers and accept the position I currently hold." -W. Leighton
Lord III, Delaware ,staff counsel,Permanent Subcommittee on
Investigations, U.S. Senate
"Dr. Soles is my teacher, my father and my very close friend, and
has been for l0 years now. In school and out, in Greece and at the
Deer Park, in my family life and in my business career, Dr. Soles has
had a profound impact that I can't begin to explain." -Carl C.
Danberg, Delaware '86
"Dr. Soles took an interest in my life and taught me to take
advantage of all that was offered at the University of Delaware. He
made me realize I can achieve any goal.... Dr. Soles guided a freshman
on academic probation to a seat on the Board of Trustees upon
graduation." -David Bolen, Delaware '85
Then there are these words from colleagues at the University who
nominated Soles for the award:
"When I interviewed for a position in political science in
l976...my interview included lunch with Jim and a few of his
colleagues....as we walked...we were obliged to stop to the greetings
of 'Hey, Dr. Soles' from at least a dozen students.... Later, I would
understand that I had been in the presence of a guru who had devoted a
brilliantly creative mind and a uniquely attractive and trusting
personality to the increasingly difficult...task of educating college
students. After I had come on board as an assistant professor, I
discovered a man who could have made a fortune in high paying
fields...he has made another fortune that very few others ever
realize: the permanent and genuine love, admiration and friendship of
thousands of students whose lives he helped to better and of the
dozens of aspiring colleagues whom he inspires...." -James Magee,
political science and international relations
"More than any other colleague, Prof. Soles has encouraged me to
work hard at my own teaching and advisement.... Prof. Soles is my role
model as a teacher. Every so often, I attend his classes, both because
this is a good way to measure my own progress as a teacher and because
it is always a pleasure to listen to a superb lecture." -Kenneth C.
Haas, criminal justice
"Jim Soles, perhaps more than any other single person, is the
reason I chose to come to the University, remain and make my
professional home here...it was clear from the moment I came on this
campus that Jim Soles was a teacher's teacher." -James K. Oliver,
political science and international relations
"As coordinator of the Summer College program..., I have had the
opportunity to observe Dr. Soles in the classroom and see the
students' reaction. I have almost felt guilty when I visited
his...class, because it was more fun than one should have while on the
job.... -Martha A. Collins, Summer College
"An exciting lecturer, with a theatrical flair, quick wit, a warm
charm and an amiable personality, Dr. Soles gets students excited
about political science and almost any other subject he addresses....
He seems to be familiar with every student in the class,... in a class
of hundreds." -D. Heyward Brock, Arts and Science
"For those of us who aren't quite convinced of the power of our
own potential, (Dr. Soles') gifts of his interest and time and energy
are invaluable." -Anne M. Adkins, continuing education