James Hedtke, PhD, began teaching at Cabrini in 1973. Over his 45 years of teaching, he has had the opportunity to teach more than 25 different courses in history and political science. He has also taught courses in the honors and seminar programs and has served as a faculty fellow in the Academic and
Career Exploration Living and Learning Community. Currently, Hedtke is writing two books. With the working title Facts and Fiction about the American Civil War, his next book is expected to be published in December of 2018. The other, which he hopes to complete by 2020, is on World War II letters of Brad McManus, a former member of the Cabrini Board of Trustees and World War II fighter pilot.
Do you have a favorite subject matter
—or lesson—that you teach?
My favorite courses to teach are the American Civil War, the American Presidency, Terrorism, and Baseball and the American Tradition. My daughters always say if you talk to my father the conversation will always include a discussion on the Civil War, baseball, or both.
What is your go-to advice for Cabrini students?
Go to class, hand in your assignments on time, take good notes, show interest in the course, and get to know your teacher. If you do these things, you will be a success.
What is your favorite item in your office and why?
I have a lot of cool and unusual items in my office but my most treasured items are the photographs of my wife, family, athletes who played for me, and friends. Life is about relationships and the photographs constantly remind me how fortunate I have been in life to be surrounded by people I care for and who care for me.
What is your favorite quote and why?
"A father's legacy is not riches, possessions, or worldly goods of any kind—it is the way he lived, the lives he touched, the promises he kept... It is the kind of man he was." This is the legacy my father left me and I have endeavored to follow his example.
Where is your favorite place in the world?
Bermuda. I love this beautiful and majestic island and the people who live there. It is where I go in my mind when things get cluttered and hectic. Also, the rum swizzles are the best in the world.