On January 1, 2025, Dr. Robert James “Jim” Sacouman passed away at the age of 76.

In 1975, Jim joined the Sociology department at Acadia, where for 38 years he taught countless courses through a lens of revolutionary thought and transformation. “Demonstrating his interpretation of (and commitment to) the Marxist tradition as one not of theory alone,” shared Dr. James J. Brittain (Sociology), “Jim personified – through his daily, yearly, and decades of service – that the point to life was not to passively contemplate but engage in efforts that enact consequential change.”

He was, as noted in his letter to receive Emeritus status, “instrumental in the genesis of the Acadia University Faculty Association (AUFA)”. As chief negotiator for AUFA, Jim played a “monumental role in the governance of, and negotiating on behalf, of AUFA,” and all its members, which always illuminated “his keen sense of fairness and social justice.”

“We owe Jim a debt of gratitude for laying the groundwork for the working conditions we have today,” says Dr. Karmen Bleile (Psychology). “He was a vital part of the team that negotiated Acadia’s first collective agreement, and throughout his long and distinguished career, he never stopped fighting for workers’ rights both at Acadia and more broadly. I will miss his wisdom, his warmth, his sense of humour, and his lobster tie.”

A celebration of life will be held in the spring. We invite you to read Jim’s full obituary and to publicly share your condolences.