Memories of Jim Shuman

I am so incredibly sad to lose my dear friend Jim on this earthly plane, but I am certain that he is now with the love of his life, his dear soulmate Laurie, who was such a good friend to me as well. That indeed gives me comfort. What a remarkable man! I loved working as his graduate assistant at SLU, studying the Course of Miracles with our ACIM group at his home in Canton, and I valued all the support and advice he offered me during my years as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. He and Laurie officiated at my son Adam’s wedding, and they baptized three of my grandchildren. Their presence added such joy to these events. I'm grateful that we had time to catch up on each other's news when he visited Canton last summer. My heart goes out to his children, stepchildren, grandchildren and all who love him. The world is a better place because of Dr. James Shuman. He leaves a wonderful legacy behind!
Susan Todd, Education

Dr. Shuman was everything that was right about education. He was kind, patient, brilliant, and enjoyed creativity. There was no "right" way to educate in his eyes, because every teacher and every class was different. His goal was to instill the confidence in his students to be agile decision-makers and adaptable educators. I was fortunate to learn from someone like Dr. Shuman, and only now can truly appreciate the type of impact he had in the field, with numerous students leading classrooms and working in education today. He and his family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Joe Keniston '05

There are no words to adequately describe how Jim affected my life as on a cold January day, he reviewed my transcript and admitted me to the St. Lawrence University teacher program. Jim's quiet strength and calm has been an inspiration to me. Jim's dedication to this students’ success along with the individual attention he gave to every student became part of my growth not only as an educator but as a human being. The investment he made was not only into a person's profession but into understanding they were cared about, for, and would always be. My gratitude to Jim is unmeasurable as a person I can only aspire to follow and emulate.
Hillary Wolfe '02, '19

Dr. Jim Shuman was a friend, mentor and exemplified everything a great educator should be. He hired me as a student teacher supervisor in his education program after the closing of the Campus Learning Center where I had been a teacher, and his beautiful wife Lauren would soon hire me as an elementary teacher in Gouverneur Central School District. Jim was a kind gentle soul who taught me early on in my career that college students need just as much , if not more TLC than elementary education students do. Student Teaching seminars were dinner events at his home, creating time and space for deep and meaningful reflection from the students , teaching for Jim was a "work of heart" as they say . Lauren and Jim were a match made in heaven , full of life and living life , and I am grateful to both for the opportunities they provided , friendship and guidance. May you Rest in Peace together and know how much you meant to me and the tremendous impact you had on my life. All my love , Vicki
Victoria O'Neill Hayes, Former SLU Student Teacher Supervisor

Jim was a standout colleague and great person. Although we were not close, I always appreciated his warm friendliness toward me as his junior colleague and the interesting conversations we had. To me, Jim personified what it means to be a liberal arts teacher who works tirelessly to help his students excel and grow. I learned my calling in part because of his kind, friendly, and inspiring model as a great teacher.
Mark MacWilliams, Religious Studies

Jim Shuman was always kind and welcoming to all. His stories of being in the classroom inspired us to have humor when we taught and to see our students as children first. I'll never forget his tales of convincing children he had eyes in the back of his head by being in kahoots with another student in the room. You always made teaching a warm and welcoming place. Thank you for all you did for all of us.
Krystal Hewer '08, Art Education

It was an absolute pleasure to work with Jim Shuman. After going through the education program and seeing what could be possible, I remember telling Jim this is something I really want to do. He truly inspired through his character and professionalism. He will be missed by all those that had the privilege of learning from him and working with him.
Timothy Brown, Art Education

Dr. Shuman was a great professor, but more than that, he was a genuinely good guy, someone who always treated his students with respect and kindness. He was a role model for me as a young person about to pursue a career in education. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Sean O'Connell '98

I wish to express my deepest condolences to Jim Shuman's family, including his sons, Corey and Ryan, and his extended family. Jim's beloved wife, Laurie, was always by his side. When I came to St. Lawrence University in 1990, Jim was one of the first faculty members that I met. I found him full of life and even joyful. I thought that he can't be this way all the time, but I was wrong. Jim's way of being reflected a sense of making the best of everything and a deep optimism that life provides a splendid opportunity for love and happiness. Yet, with all of this, Jim was also rooted to the realities and challenges of living, but in a way that the journey is all for the best.

As department chair, Jim frequently dropped by my office or I would meet him upstairs in his place at Atwood Hall. Rarely did I leave his presence that I did not feel an emotional uplift and and a feeling of calm. In almost every meeting we would laugh and say something foolish. Although we would disagree at times on certain decisions or had to face unpleasant challenges, I never found him disagreeable.

In department meetings and larger gatherings, Jim was always respectful and caring. On the occasions that I would say something stupid, he never belittled me or anyone else. In fact, what he would do is find a sensible part of a message (regardless how tiny it might be), and acknowledge its importance. Almost always in the meetings there was laughter. Jim had a way of making events pleasant, even when they involved serious and difficult matters.

In his position as department chair and professor, Jim influenced the professional development of so many persons in the North Country, in New York State, and beyond. In these regions, classroom teachers, school and mental health counselors, school principals, school superintendents, and others benefited from his strong leadership and inspirational ways.

Jim Shuman was a beautiful person. Rest In Peace, Dear Jim.
Art Clark, Education Department

Jim hired me in 1997 and enabled a 23 year career for me at St. Lawrence. Roxy and I were married by Jim and Laurie in 2018. For 25 years Jim was the leader of educational programs which provided an able and often award-winning supply of secondary teachers, secondary and elementary guidance counselors, school superintendents and principals, and, mental health professionals to the North Country and beyond. Jim received the prestigious Charles Mackey Award for excellence in Teacher Education in 2004, having been nominated by President Dan Sullivan. Dan, future college Presidents Tom Coburn, and Grant Cornwell and hundreds of others knew the value of those programs, all of which have, sadly, been dismantled.

Jim was a tireless and dedicated educator, who believed deeply that liberal arts-based teachers and counselors and administrators were the most likely to become educators as able at "being" as they were at "doing". Jim Shuman was a fine man, a man of enduring good cheer, a dear friend and a grandpa who is deeply loved and profoundly missed. Thank you for your gifts, Jim; thank you for your amazing life.
Ed Boyd, Education Department

Jim Shuman was my friend. A friendship that emerged slowly at SLU. We were asked to teach together in the Professional Semester in the Teacher Education Program. It was an awkward assignment. I had been running the Program for years but now was also teaching counseling courses and Jim took over with Teacher Ed. In later conversations, we both admitted there were reservations about working together. Philosophically, we were as opposite as all possible. However, I would listen to him in class and then he would listen to me. Slowly, a sense of respect began to emerge. I could feel his compassion for the work. He had a set of values that I admired as I watched him reach student teachers in unfamiliar ways. He was the real deal, not a performer but a true human being. This may sound unusual but his fondness for me came out one day when he asked to steal some of my ideas. We both laughed and became true friends.

From that point on, the friendship grew. There were some striking similarities established between us. Not just everyday similarities but our beliefs in the sacred world such as, decency, honor, fairness, generosity, and most importantly love for what we do and who we are with. Jim exemplified these things. I cannot think of anyone in my life who stood for the love of others more than Jim. So, when he died, I became silent for quite some time. I realized how much he had affected me, and I did not want to let go of those thoughts. I wanted them to seep in, to realize how much true friendship changes a person. That was Jim’s legacy to me and parts of him are with me to this day.
Peter Ladd, Education Department

Jim Shuman was unique in that he combined an incredible knowledge of research on how people learn, with an ability to communicate effectively (i.e. teach), and he was perhaps the kindest, gentlest, most caring and understanding individual it has been my privilege to have as a mentor and colleague. Jim led the SLU Education Department for 25 years during which the department became one of the most progressive and forward-looking education departments in the country. Local school administrators would tell me that they could identify a graduate of SLU's education program by their understanding of pedagogy and how to teach. Jim was extremely easy-going, yet steadfast in his beliefs and values. He would support any reasonable proposal, yet, not sacrifice a single one of his principles. Jim Shuman's legacy will be with us for many generations through the actions of anyone who has been the beneficiary of his wisdom and guidance. Laurie had the same qualities as Jim, which made them ideal partners.
Donald E. Mesibov, Education Department