Honoring Dr. Jim Kirkland: A Champion of Writing at ECU

Dr. Jim Kirkland

If you’ve ever taken a class with Dr. Jim Kirkland, you know why he’s one of ECU’s most beloved professors. Since joining the English Department in 1969 under ECU President Leo Jenkins, he has shaped the academic journeys of thousands of Pirates, mentored countless graduate students, and served in multiple administrative roles. While his doctorate from the University of Tennessee focused on American literature, his passion for writing instruction quickly became a defining aspect of his career.

From the start, Jim recognized the transformative power of one-on-one writing support. Given the choice between teaching a three-hour course or working in Tennessee’s writing center, he eagerly chose the latter. “I grabbed the writing center job because I really love working with students individually,” he recalls. At the time, faculty could refer students to the center, where they revised and submitted three consecutive drafts. “The great thing about it was that we could actually sit down and work through not just one draft, but multiple drafts. That’s where I really got interested in working with students.”

That dedication to writing instruction has remained at the heart of Jim’s teaching, whether in first-year composition, literature courses, or folklore studies. One-on-one and small-group writing conferences have long been a hallmark of his approach. “In my folklore classes, I always build in at least three conferences during the semester. Same thing with English 2000. And with first-year composition, I typically have four or five conferences with each student,” he explains. “Having the opportunity to work through drafts and encourage revision—the kinds of things we know are important—that’s really rewarding.” While many faculty struggle to get students to attend office hours, Jim has never had that problem. “I have people stacked up in the hallway in Bate,” he says with a smile.

Jim’s students seem to appreciate him just as much as he appreciates them. Out of 60 student ratings since 2014, all are positive, averaging a 4.7 overall quality score, with 100% of students saying they would take a class with him again. Students consistently praise his kindness, transparency in grading, and individualized support. One student writes, “Very genuine guy who really cares for his students. Always available to discuss essays and how you can improve. Highly recommend taking this professor.” Another reflects, “This class changed my perspective on culture and folklore. You’ll watch videos, read about campus legends, ghosts, and folk medicine, and discuss digital folklore. Side note: I turned my final project into an article for my job and now I’m thinking of basing a novel on it.”

When asked about the most rewarding aspects of working with student writers, Jim hesitates to generalize. “There are so many different situations,” he says. “A lot of students come to the university without having had much support. Rather than working with

students in general, I always try to figure out where they are and what they need the most.” He treasures each student’s journey, recalling one in particular: “I had a student who had been told all through school that he wasn’t a good student and probably wouldn’t get accepted anywhere. He ended up being the best writer in my honors class.” Jim also values the long-term relationships he has built with students. “I got an email from a graduate student I taught back in 1978. We had a great conversation and even ended up collaborating on folklore research. That’s the personal side of it. Writing isn’t just about coursework—it’s about engaging in research and contributing to knowledge. Writing is valuable.”

But Jim’s impact on writing at ECU extends far beyond his own classroom. Alongside Dr. Patrick Bizarro, he played a pivotal role in establishing the Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) program and the University Writing Center. “Pat had done a lot of groundwork—visiting departments, promoting WAC, and listening to what faculty across disciplines valued in student writing,” Jim recalls. “There was a lot of resistance at first. Not everyone wanted a Writing Across the Curriculum program. But when the Faculty Senate voted unanimously in favor of it, that was a very positive sign.” Jim took on the title as Assistant Director of the University Writing Program for several years and went on to also be Director for two years.

In addition to this foundational work, Jim served as Director of Composition for 15 years, mentoring graduate instructors and collaborating with faculty to strengthen writing instruction across the university. “I spent a lot of time visiting faculty offices, talking about writing, and gathering feedback on what they saw as important,” he says. Through these efforts, Jim not only shaped the teaching of writing at ECU but also fostered a culture that values writing as a tool for learning, research, and engagement—an enduring legacy that continues to benefit students and faculty alike.

Kerri Flinchbaugh (flinchbaughk@ecu.edu)