Schnur, pictured, was described in his USF St. Petersburg alumni portfolio as an “archivist, author, faculty [and] public speaker.” Courtesy of USF St. Petersburg
By Amy Diaz
A longtime university librarian and Pinellas County historian who became one of USF St. Petersburg’s most popular figures has been convicted of possessing child pornography and sentenced to two years in state prison.
James Anthony Schnur, 53, was sentenced in Pinellas County Circuit Court Aug. 1 and surrendered to state prison authorities Aug. 7, according to the Florida Department of Corrections website.
He is scheduled for release June 17, 2020.
For a quarter century as a student, teacher and librarian at USF St. Petersburg, Schnur was a respected researcher, beloved colleague and mentor to countless students. When the university observed its 50th anniversary in 2015, it saluted him as one of its exceptional “Green and Gold alumni” who were making a difference “in not just the community, but world over.”
His arrest on April 12, 2017, sent waves of shock and heartbreak through the university community. He was placed on unpaid leave and resigned three months later.
“Obviously, we are deeply saddened and devastated by the turn of events in Jim’s life,” said J.M. “Sudsy” Tschiderer, a retired member of the divisions of Student Affairs and External Affairs and longtime friend of Schnur’s. “But Jim, like each of us, is multi-dimensional. His academic prowess, commitment to student success, and dedicated volunteerism, for example, are legendary. These aspects of Jim are not forgotten.”
Schnur’s arrest and resignation constituted a stunning fall from grace for a man who seemed to grow up just as the campus did.
He arrived as an undergraduate student in 1986 and earned his bachelor’s in history in 1988.
Schnur became a student leader, winning the USF Golden Signet Service Award for student leadership twice. He went on to earn master’s degrees in history in 1995 and library science in 1996. He taught courses at Eckerd College and USF Tampa, and worked as the special collections librarian at the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library.
Schnur also became the university’s unofficial historian, speaking and writing about USF St. Petersburg’s growth since its inception in 1965. He served as president of the Pinellas County Historical Society and wrote several books about the county’s history.
The year before his arrest, Schnur received a proclamation from the city of Seminole recognizing his contributions to local history.
As a graduate student and historian, Schnur became an expert on the Johns Committee, a notorious investigative panel of the Florida Legislature between 1956 and 1965.
The secretive committee crusaded against what it called the “homosexual menace” in Florida schools, including the newly created USF in Tampa.
Schnur’s alumni profile on the USF St. Petersburg webpage stated that “few have rendered with such vigor, talent and consistency the stellar, selfless service that Jim Schnur has given to USF St. Petersburg.”
His profile and photo were removed from the webpage on Aug. 30, three days after this story appeared in print.
“Multidimensional” but one of those dimensions was a pedophile. Why not call it what it is?
Several years ago, while writing a paper for my senior year Constitutional Law II class, I remember meeting Jim. He really went the extra mile to help me gather worthwhile sources and assist with its formatting. It’s very sad that such a professional and polite man ended up going down such a dark path. I can only hope that Jim survives prison, gets rehabilitation, and manages to repair his life.
I agree with Mike. I looked up to Jim as THE authoritarian for answering my questions regarding Pinellas County history. I felt a bond with him. I told fellow history lovers he was the guy to go to for questions about the history of Pinellas Co. I have so many questions. Do I not judge people correctly? What a terrible waste! What happened? How can someone be such a genius at one thing and end up having this kind of thing revealed about him? I was in shock when I found out and still can’t bring my mind to think he could do something like this? I keep wanting to think it was a “technical” error. Sad, sad, sad.
Jim and I have been friends since 1985. He went the extra mile to make sure that this adult student survived writing papers. He got me a study room when necessary, and brought me extra books, journals and articles.
I am 80 years old and I graduated from Eckerd College with high honors at the age of 64. I lost contact with Jim since then but I never forgot how much he helped me and my fellow students. He was a great historian, writer and academics advisor. I just learned of Jim’s conviction and I was devastated. Jim, wherever you are, I shall never forget the good that you did for so many of us.God Go With You and anyone that you injured.