USA remembers history professor of 40 years

University of South Alabama remembers its history professor of over 40 years, Dr. Joseph A. Nigota, who died in Mobile Feb. 20. "Dr. Nigota's entire professional life was associated with this University," History Department Chair Dr. Clarence L. Mohr said. "He had seen all its changes from when it first started to now, and he was very much a part of the history of the school." Born in Manhattan in 1940, Nigota attended Regis High School in New York City in the '50s and went on to Georgetown University where he completed his bachelor's degree in foreign service. While highly skilled in his field, Nigota opted not to pursue foreign services and continued with his education at Emory University where he graduated with a masters followed by a Ph.D. in medieval history. His area of research at the time concentrated on 15th century English diplomatic history. In September of 1966, Nigota joined the University of South Alabama and taught courses in medieval history, English history and the renaissance and reformation. Nigota spent 43 years, his entire career, teaching at the University. "I guess I'd just like to say that Dr. Nigota was an excellent teacher. You could see from a mile away that he had a genuine love and interest for what he taught," former student Genny Roman said. "Also, I was really touched when he thanked me, along with a few other students, for being in his class last semester after handing in the final. Hopefully we gave back in that way, because that was what Dr. Nigota really deserved." History department colleague and friend, Dr. Leonard Macaluso, remembers Nigota as an extremely dedicated and gifted teacher. "Many, if they work hard, become good craftsmen at teaching. Very few are like Joe. He was an artist," Macaluso said. "He knew perhaps instinctively that ideas and historical processes were best explained to students, especially at the introductory level, if they were translated into concrete images. That is to say, he knew that history could be understood by students if it was explained through the lives and actions of individuals." During his last semester, Nigota taught two western civilization classes and a medieval England course. "I know that Nigota understood history is a rather old discipline and best taught down close to the Earth," Macaluso said. "I think this allowed Joe to bring the past alive for his students and convey to them a sense of his own excitement in studying history and his own passion for the discipline." Overall, Macaluso recalls that Nigota brought to his teaching the same qualities that he brought to his life in general. Macaluso also stresses great importance of Nigota's heart and that he cared about people he came in contact with everyday. "I think his students felt his care," Macaluso said. "Joe taught a lot of people, and they will all miss him." When asked how he would describe Nigota as a teacher, Mohr proudly shows off a plaque with Nigota's name appearing on it five separate times. "I used to tell him we'd have to create a whole new award just for him," Mohr remembers fondly. "He received the Outstanding Professor of History Award, which is strictly a student vote, so many times. That tells you a lot." "Most people know Joe was deeply admired and respected by his students and one who students responded to enthusiastically," Mohr continued. "I know that whatever he did was certainly magic." In memory of their beloved teacher, many students are writing notes of the moments they shared with Nigota. Notes may be dropped off in a box located in the history department office on the third floor of the Humanities Building. "He was as good a friend as anyone can expect," Macaluso said. "Ultimately, I think back now and see how lucky I am to have had Dr. Nigota as a friend."