Dr. Jim Isemann, a history
professor at Southeast Community College for more than 20 years, died Aug. 11 after
a lengthy battle with brain cancer. Isemann impacted many students and staff
over his long tenure at the College.
“As a non-traditional student
at Southeast Community College, he was my professor in my very first college
class,” said former student Stephanie Matejka. “I took every single one of his
history classes as my electives. He took great care with each and every one of
his students. His classes were packed with information and perspective.”
Arts & Sciences Dean Dr. Carolee
Ritter echoed those sentiments and said he also had an impact on many middle
and high school students over the years as he helped coordinate the National
History Day competition. He also was well-respected by his colleagues as he was
elected president of the Lincoln Campus Faculty Association.
“Jim was one of those people
whose face lit up every time he entered the room,” Ritter said. “He made people
feel like he was happy to see them. Collegial, friendly and warm, Jim always
showed a genuine interest in those around him.”
“Jim loved to engage with
students and faculty and staff,” added fellow faculty member, Bob Zetocha. “In
2007-2008, he and I started pick-up basketball games after our classes on late
Wednesday afternoons at the SCC gym. It was a great opportunity to connect with
students.”
Isemann was married to fellow
SCC instructor Nikki Isemann. The two met in high school in St. Charles,
Missouri, and were together for 36 years. Jim also leaves behind two adult daughters,
Heidi and Ellie.
“I’m forever grateful for Jim
and Nikki’s encouragement,” Matejka added. “I’m not sure I would have had the
confidence to pursue more higher education without them.”
The family is requesting that
memorial donations be made to either the SCC Global Education Scholarship in
support of the SCC Study Abroad program at https://www.southeast.edu/educationalfoundation/, or the Rosenbaum GBM Research Fund which supports
innovative solutions specifically for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most
aggressive type of brain tumor https://virtualtrials.org/Rosenbaum.cfm