This wonderful letter was written in 2005 by OSU African American and African Studies Professor Scopas Poggo in support of Jim’s nomination for the College of Humanities Diversity Enhancement Award, which Jim received that year. It beautifully describes Jim and his passion, his hard work and contributions, and the respect it inspired in his colleagues. Thank you, Scopas, for your generous contribution to Jim’s memorial site.
April 22, 2005
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing this letter in enthusiastic support of Professor James F. Buckley’s nomination for The College of Humanities Diversity Enhancement Award in 2005.
Since Dr. Buckley was hired as Assistant Professor of English at The Ohio State University, Mansfield campus in 1995, he has been actively involved in planning, organizing, and implementing academic and extra-curricular activities that promote diversity on the campus. He has taught English courses 576.03, Issues and Movements in Queer Theory and 693, Closet to Queer Homosexuality in Literature and Film. These courses have continuously enlightened students on our campus on issues pertaining to homosexuality in the American society at large.
Professor Buckley became faculty advisor to the LGBT Student Association on the Mansfield campus in 1999. He has since attended their meetings, and provided a clear vision for the Association. In addition to this, when I initiated the first Black History Month on the campus in February 2001, Dr. Buckley provided me with valuable advice and guidance in the planning, organization, and subsequent execution of the programs throughout the month. Every year, he has encouraged his students to participate in the celebration of the Black History Month. I must also add that Dr. Buckley was one of the faculty, who presented their papers in the Black History Month of 2003.
Dr. Buckley has made enormous contribution to the enhancement of diversity on the Mansfield campus. Since 1999 the Mansfield campus has developed a Strategic Plan that clearly reflects the objectives and goals of the University. Dr. Buckley was appointed as the first Chair of the Ad-Hoc Diversity Committee (1999-2001). In 2002, he implemented the Minority Student Mentoring Program on campus. The Faculty Assembly appointed him as the Chair of a standing Diversity Committee in 2003-2004. In his term in office, Dr. Buckley helped found the Diversity Club in 2004. As the current President of the Faculty Assembly, Professor Buckley is determined to exert every effort, energy and time to promote diversity issues on the Mansfield campus. As a minority faculty here, I am very much impressed with Dr. Buckley’s work, and also very optimistic of the results of his hard work in the area of diversity.
Professor Buckley has extended his work on diversity issues to the Mansfield community at large. He presented a paper entitled The Role of the Queer-Inclusive Curriculum in English Language Arts. He was a moderator/respondent in a panel, “Origins of Homosexuality,” A Forum About Hate Crimes and Sexual Orientation, 29 April 2004.
As part of his academic career, Professor Buckley has presented papers that pertain to gay issues in professional associations. He has published more than six papers on gay-related issues in professional journals and encyclopedia. His first book is entitled Desire, The Self, The Social Critic: The Rise of Queer Performance Within the Demise of Transcendentalism ((Selinsgrave, PA: Susquehanna U. P., 1997).
Professor Buckley is a good teacher and researcher. He is kind, polite, and a likeable person. He is generally popular among the faculty, staff, students, and the Mansfield community at large. The combination of his academic and community work on diversity issues make him the most deserving candidate for the receipt of The College of Humanities Diversity Enhancement Award this year. As a former recipient of this award (2002), I very strongly recommend Professor Buckley for this distinguished award.
If you have any questions about Dr. Buckley, please feel free to contact me either by telephone or electronic mail.
Very sincerely,
Scopas S. Poggo
Assistant Professor
African American and African Studies
In Memory Of J. F. Buckley 
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