Jimie Kusel

Dr. Jimie Kusel, (Retired Colonel, USAF), passed away on February 26, 2025. Jimie was born on June 21, 1933, and spent his early years in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He graduated first in his class from the local high school where he served as student body president. After graduation, Jimie was given a full four-year scholarship to Princeton University. The faculty at Princeton named him the most outstanding junior in the Department of Economics and awarded him an additional senior scholarship. He joined Princeton’s Air Force ROTC Unit, graduating with distinction. After graduation, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force. The Air Force required extensive global travel. He graduated with distinction from both the Squadron Office School and the Air Command and Staff College rising to the rank of Colonel. After earning an MBA and LHD from Michigan State University, he went on to become a certified public accountant, a certified internal auditor, and a certified government financial manager. His diverse assignments included a Deans position at the Air Force Institute of Technology and Director of Accounting and Finance for the Military Airlift Command. Jimie was twice awarded the Legion of Merit and was selected to become comptroller for the Strategic Air Command, however, he and his wife Janet decided that twenty-four years of service was enough. Colonel Kusel turned down the assignment and resigned his commission electing to start a new career.

His new career began with acceptance of a tenure track position at the University of Arkansas Little Rock teaching graduate and undergraduate student courses in accounting. Along with teaching, Dr., Kusel did extensive research in the field of internal auditing. During his tenure at UALR, he published more than fifty articles in professional journals and co-authored the text used in graduate level classes. His peers selected him for a number of research and teaching awards. Each Fall and Spring semester for more than twenty years, he was given the highest teacher evaluations in the College of Business. This achievement was noted in his certificate from the faculty in 2011.

At his request, Jimie will be laid to rest in Fort Smith. Arrangements entrusted to Smith Little Rock Funeral Home.