Novelist James Jones and World War II literature may soon have a permanent place at Eastern.

The James Jones Literary Society and members of the College of Arts and Humanities are working together to establish the James Jones Chair in World War II Studies at Eastern.

The chair will alternate between the English and history departments to bring in guest lecturers, novelists and historians, and will help students get an in-depth look at the time and culture of World War II.

“James Jones is one of the most significant American literary voices of his generation who wrote on subjects of such importance, they were defined that very generation,” said James K. Johnson, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, in the summer 2007 edition of the JJLS newsletter.

“Both our English department and history department are committed to hosting the very best young scholars in literary and historical studies of World War II,” Johnson said.

Jones is best known for his unofficial trilogy of novels “From Here to Eternity,” “The Thin Red Line” and “Whistle.”

Helen Howe, wife of Jones’ childhood friend Tink Howe, started the JJLS in the 1990s in Robinson, Jones’ hometown.

“(The society’s goal is) to promote the legacy of Jim Jones and his work, as well as assisting young authors,” said Doug Lawhead, journalism professor and executive board member of the society.

“Jim was a very generous man when it came to helping out the young authors. We try to continue that,” Lawhead said.

The tradition of helping up-and-coming authors stems from Jones’ work at the Handy Writers Colony in Marshall in the 1940s and 1950s.

The society has grown since then.

The JJLS is internationally recognized with members from Australia, Japan and England and sponsors writing contests with awards for grade-school level students trying to publish their first novel.

Yearly symposiums are held throughout the country. The society’s bylaws say the symposiums must be held in Robinson every three years.

The society has other esteemed members like Norman Mailer, Winston Groom,author of “Forrest Gump” and the late Kurt Vonnegut, author of “Slaughterhouse 5.”

JJLS also sponsors novelists and their ideas on Jones’ work, but the society members felt they could do more.

“A lot of people on board, 27 people all together, and a lot of them college professors, helped out getting endowed chairs at other universities. We had so many awards for writing that we were also considering sponsoring an endowed chair,” said Ray Elliott, committee member.

“We talked to Dean Johnson because we felt Eastern is so appropriate; it’s near Robinson,” Elliott said.

To officially instate the chair, the university needs a $1.5 million endowment.

So far, the JJLS has donated $10,000. At a fundraising dinner Sept. 7, businessman Jack Chamblin contributed $25,000 towards the fund.

Until the necessary money is raised, the JJLS and Eastern will be sponsoring guest speakers who have a connection to either Jones or his work.

Novelist Jon Shirota will come Nov. 7 to talk about his work “Lucky Come Hawaii,” which focuses on his experiences being a Japanese-American during Pearl Harbor. Shirota’s wife, Barbara, will speak on her time in the Japanese internment camps.

Barbara’s testimony will help audiences understand what Jones’ experience was like as it appeared in “From Here to Eternity.”

Jones witnessed Pearl Harbor with his own eyes, Elliott said.

“It’s very clear to me how it affected our lives dramatically, escalating the significance. Students benefit from these works because of what happened on September 11. It changed our lives significantly there as well,” Elliott said.

The English and history departments anticipate changing how students see the World War II time period.

“We, and not just students, should know as much as we can about this period,” Dana Ringuette, chair of the English department, said. “The best literary works, and historical works, for that matter, provide not just a description or illustration of the events of the period, but also an imaginative sense of how the events affected individuals, families and friends and institutions. Literary works put a human face on the facts, on the loss, trauma and success of the period.”

Anita Shelton, chair of the history department, said students already have an interest in World War II, and this chair can help students pursue their interests further.

“I think students will identify with Jones as a “hometown boy” from the small town of Robinson who confronts the wider world. It’s a different time than their world now, but many of the issues remain the same,” Shelton said.

Both departments look forward to working together in the future.

“It would be good to see it inspire other projects of collaboration and/or interdisciplinary teaching,” Shelton said.

“The two disciplines complement one another methodologically and in their subject matters. It is a collaboration that can yield very rich results,” Shelton said.