WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY WITH JIM?
When I was in the Potato Breeding Program, I once got to be with Jim and some staff when they inoculated their late blight field in Rosemount. Jim shared time and knowledge with me. I loved how excited Jim got when he talked about wild potato species. —Jennifer Flynn
Jim was my instructor for Current Topics, where we discussed current literature in plant pathology. In this course Jim facilitated many stimulating discussions that were highly beneficial for my understanding. —Jacob Botkin
Teaching Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology with Jim was a great treat. His preparation was fantastic and the students responded well to him. He rounded out the course. —Richard Zeyen
We had a coffee hour in which everyone wore fake mustaches to honor Jim. It was a lot of fun!—Deb Samac
It was the first day of my job in the middle of the pandemic when Jim welcomed me to the department! —Devanshi Khokhani
I have two very different memories of Jim but both were very impressive to me. In a couple very difficult human relations situations where Jim could have simply walked away from the confrontation Jim stepped in, analyzed the situation, and came up with a solution respecting the individuals involved without blame or confrontation. His actions took real courage and sensitivity. On a very different note I found that Jim had read many books, often biographies, about plant scientists like Luther Burbank, Nikolai Vavilov, and Trofim Lysenko, that I found interesting and enjoyed discussing them. —Jim Kurle
Planning the 9 Billion and Counting Symposium in 2016 that celebrated the work of Norman Borlaug, planning the 50 years and Beyond event celebrating the 50th anniversary of Borlaug receiving the Nobel Peace Prize and collaborating on the Plant Pathology Living Legacy project. —Mary Buschette
HOW DID JIM MAKE A POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON YOUR CAREER AND/OR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT?
Jim was always a source of encouragement and moral support even during some of my darkest academic and professional days. — Jennifer Flynn
Jim's dedication to teaching in plant pathology was a positive influence during my degree. —Jacob Botkin
I have been fortunate to interact with Jim especially for a new faculty who needs guidance at every step to establish their research program —Devanshi Khokhani
I appreciate that Jim took time to listen to and connect with the staff researchers in the department - so often we can feel overlooked or sidelined in the academic environment! Jim uplifted us and gave us opportunities to lead in new ways. I felt valued and supported while Jim was the head of PLPA. His leadership shifted the culture in our department in a positive direction.—Rebecca Curland
Jim was always positive about my research and particularly my teaching frequently offering constructive suggestions about new media, software, and the internet for outreach and for teaching.—Jim Kurle
JIm was a great advocate, partner, champion and supporter. I appreciated any opportunity to collaborate with him.—Mary Buschette
I met Jim Bradeen at the end of a late summer's day in 2013, when I was finishing up meeting with some faculty on the U of MN St. Paul campus. I was desperate to make a connection, because securing a postdoc would be the first step I needed to move across the globe from South Africa to be with my Minnesotan fiancé (now husband of seven years). Brian Steffenson essentially shoved me into Jim Bradeen's office, where we just clicked instantly. (I believe our shared love for boldly colored Converse All-Star sneakers might have helped!) I could not suppress my enthusiasm for Jim's incredible approach to plant disease resistance gene analysis, and we spoke for a long time indeed, brainstorming ideas for where the research could go next. About a week later, I was jumping up and down in the kitchen of my little apartment in South Africa because Jim had offered me a postdoc. Jim had taken a chance on me, and the impact his decision would have on the trajectory of my life and my career cannot be verbalized.
I spent four happy years as a postdoc in the Department of Plant Pathology, and during that time I was a sponge (for new research methods of course), but also soaking up Jim's kind and thoughtful mentorship. The way he modeled good leadership, and the way he fostered community and collaboration within and beyond the Department was unlike anything I'd seen at any previous institution I was a part of. He continues to advocate for young LGBTQ scientists eager for a career in STEM, and his visibility continues to matter to many queer scientists, myself included. He is the kind of mentor I'm trying to be to my own students now. In tricky situations I often think, "What would Jim do?" Jim would be brave, dynamic, and compassionate, because he embodies those values.
What I particularly admire about how Jim sees the world is that the beauty of nature and science is integral to it all. Whether he is teaching students about evolutionary arms races between potatoes and their pathogens, thinking about the genetic potential of crop wild relatives, or researching the diversification of NB-LRR genes in apples, he is very clear in communicating to the world that these subjects are not only important, but gorgeous. Jim has always been passionate about science as storytelling and about the stories of scientists, whether it be the stories of Luther Burbank, Norman Borlaug, or Carol Ishimaru. In this way, he greatly encouraged me to frame my own pursuit of science as an inherently creative endeavor. His excitement over a new graph or data figure was not something he could ever hide, and his lab was the safe space that allowed me to explore and take risks. Jim's generosity works in just this way, and it's what makes him such an excellent leader: it's an openness to people and ideas, and an openness of spirit. He worked tirelessly to create opportunities for Plant Path faculty, colleagues and students to do our best work, and his enthusiasm inspires everyone around him to be braver, more authentic versions of ourselves.
I am a better academic because of Jim's mentorship. I am a better person because of his friendship.
—Leon Van Eck
WHAT TRAITS OR SKILLS DID YOU ADMIRE MOST ABOUT JIM?
Creativity, bravery—Jennifer Flynn
Jim is a personable and thoughtful educator, who was a friend to many people in our department. —Jacob Botkin
Jim's energy and enthusiasm were contagious. It was just what I personally needed toward the end of my long career at Minnesota. He gave the Department hope in rather dire economic times.—Richard Zeyen
He is always forward thinking about ways to improve communication and community. He made huge advances in our visibility through developing a communications position in the department and stewarding the Stakman-Borlaug Center.—Deb
Approachable, resourceful, supportive, creative and always willing to help—Devanshi Khokhani
Jim was always personable and imperturbable even when he was juggling a very conflicting points of view. I also saw him demonstrate real courage and integrity. Jim had the interests of the department; faculty, students, and staff at heart and went out of his way to see that needs of all departmental personnel were considered. I had the greatest respect and admiration for him.—Jim Kurle
There are so many! HIs advocacy for his staff and colleagues. His compassion and creativity. I also loved his mustache and his rock star Twitter presence. —Mary Buschette
DESCRIBE JIM’S LEGACY AND IMPACT ON UMN
His impact and legacy is more than I have words for —Jennifer Flynn
Jim's Headship was the first social media savvy headship in the history of the Department. I realized the importance of that media for both internal and external recognition. It also attracted a different type of student, one that was more aware of the world around us. I'm sure he will do the same in his new position with CSU - Denver.—Richard Zeyen
He fundamentally changed the culture of the department making it more inclusive, diverse and welcoming to all.—Deb Samac
He deeply cared for the department and put efforts to continue representing our department on the global stage!—Devanshi Khokhani
Jim had a very broad understanding of the disciplines that would contribute to and should be included in Plant Pathology. In particular he recognized the need for and potential of the new media, the web, and audio visual resources, for publicity, education, and outreach beyond traditional extension and provided staffing support to make that potential available to the department. On a personal level, he was always positive, always constructive, and always creative in his role as Department Head. He was a great person to work with and for.—Jim Kurle
The Land O'Lakes Collaboration Center aka Borlaug Commons is a visible long lasting legacy. Also the Plant Pathology Living Legacy Project. —Mary Buschette