Supporting the Next Generation of Veterans

Alumnus James Impara And The Jim Impara Endowed Scholarship For Veterans

By Joshua Duke

After a successful career, James C. (Jim) Impara (B.S. Mathematics Education ’64, M.S. Educational Research and Testing ’66, Ph.D. Educational Research and Testing ’72) is enjoying life. He takes time to enjoy fly fishing, enjoying the serenity of nature and the peaceful repetition of casting his line. He travels far and wide to enjoy the sport, from Nebraska and Colorado to as far away as New Zealand. With the tranquility that can only be found next to the banks of a river, it might be surprising to learn that one of the major turning points in Impara’s life sharply contrasted the idyllic moments he now spends fishing.

When Impara was 18 while living at home with his parents, he got into an argument with his father about finding a job. His family lived in Miami at the time, and after this argument, he decided to do something about his employment status. He marched down to the post office where military recruiters had set up. “I went first to the Marines and asked when they could take me, and they said three months,” Impara explained. “I went to the Navy, and they said three months. I went to the Air Force, and they said three months. I went to the Army, and they said this afternoon, so I joined the Army,” he said with a laugh.

That decision saw him start a three-year stint in the Army. As he wrapped up his time, America had just entered the Vietnam War, and when Impara returned to civilian life, he saw the populace’s general disapproval of the war and disappointing reception to veterans returning from one of America’s most divisive wars. “I really resented a lot of the attitudes towards the veterans of Vietnam, who weren’t there voluntarily,” said Impara.

Watching the reaction to veterans solidified Impara’s resolve to do everything he could to support fellow veterans. Years and years later, he read about FSU’s renowned Student Veterans Center and decided to support the university that gave him his three degrees. He started the Jim Impara Endowed Scholarship for Veterans as a way of giving back and supporting those who have served their country.

The Jim Impara Endowed Scholarship for Veterans was committed in 2022 and specifically looks to help veterans interested in the Measurement and Statistics program, as well as FSU-Teach. The endowed fund is made possible by Dr. Impara and his wife, Dr. Barbara S. Plake. On top of a desire to improve assistance for veterans, Impara cites the support he received as an impetus for the creation of the scholarship. After his time in the Army, Congress passed the Vietnam Era G.I. Bill which helped veterans like Impara go to school. It was this support that helped him finish his dissertation and earn his Ph.D.

An Unexpected Career

Despite an influential career in the field of educational measurement, Impara wasn’t thinking about a career in the area after the Army. Instead, he started his post-Army career as a math teacher. During his undergraduate days, a neighbor told him about educational measurement, and the idea took root. After a brief teaching experience, he returned to FSU earning his master’s degree. He thought he had enough opportunities and did not plan on going back for more education.

While working at the Florida Department of Education, after earning his MS, he started thinking more seriously about other career options. Impara decided he wanted to earn his doctorate. His supervisor at the time fought to provide support, and eventually Impara received a rare approval to work half-time at the department, which would ultimately give him the time to finish his doctoral studies. Impara credits his supervisor for “really going to bat for me” and helping him launch his illustrious career in educational measurement.

Several years after earning his Ph.D., he left the Florida Department of Education and joined the Oregon Department of Education where he designed and managed that state’s first student assessment program. After a threeyear stint in Oregon, he took a faculty position at Virginia Tech. Eventually, he became an associate professor, then full professor in the Oscar and Luella Buros Center for Testing in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. He remained at the university until 2006, when he retired and now holds the title of professor emeritus.

Jim Impara frequently enjoys fly fishing. Pictured above holding a rainbow trout

Building A Legacy

Looking back on his career, he appreciates all the mentors he has had throughout his life, including his major professor at FSU, Dr. Howard Stoker, and his wife, Barbara Plake. “I’ve had a lot of luck in my career and in my life.”

Impara and Plake both had impressive careers in educational measurement. One of the high points of Impara’s career was a body of published work of strategies to determine passing scores on tests with Plake. One such strategy became so popular that it became known as the Impara-Plake Method, solidifying his legacy in the field.

Impara also served as the president of the National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME), one of the leading professional organizations for his field. He is proud of some of the changes made to the organization during his tenure, many of which have been sustained to this day.

But his most recent legacy is the endowed scholarship. The scholarship is already helping veterans at FSU receive a great education and open up career possibilities, much in the same way Impara experienced at the beginning of his professional career. It is this legacy of charitable giving and supporting veterans that might end up being Impara’s greatest contribution of all.