The Aquinas

For 10 years, Northeastern Pennsylvania has seen a flicker of light soar across the sky. With the blink of an eye, the light disappears through the clouds and mysteriously shows its face again moments later. The light ascends, dips and gracefully glides to the command of one man’s mind; a mind that has seen its very own highs and lows. The light proves to be a Cirrus SR20 — a small, privately owned and operated airplane. The mind responsible for its direction, however, is Kurt Eisele. The plane descends and comes to a full stop as the 17-year Army veteran steps out of the cockpit. And, to think, people said a one-time quadriplegic couldn’t fly a plane.
Born and raised in Honesdale, life didn’t always spread its wings and fly elegantly for Eisele. After realizing that his interests were somewhere else other than school, he decided to ditch his education and drop out of college. A series of dead-end jobs and pessimism followed.
“Failing out of college was, at the time, something I thought was the best thing to do for my life. I wasn’t happy with where I was at, so I took another route and ended up in the military,” Eisele said.
Eisele spent the next 17 years in the United States Army. He was positioned in several states, including New Jersey, Texas and Florida, while also serving overseas in Germany. The move into the military proved to be somewhat successful for him, but tragedy would soon strike.
While serving, he was severely injured in a car crash in 1988. The crash resulted in a broken neck and left him paralyzed.
“I was told I was never going to walk again,” Eisele said.
The odds were against him, but Eisele was able to make a full recovery through physical therapy.
“The accident got me thinking, ‘where do I wish I was in my life right now,’ and I answered, ‘in the sky,’” Eisele said.
After he was told that he would never walk again by his physicians, Eisele wanted to prove that he could do more than just stand on his own two feet again.
The accident sent him back north and landed him in an officiating position in The University’s military science department in 1990. While teaching there for three years, he was able to take classes and receive his Bachelor of Arts degree from The University. He later earned his master’s degree in mathematics and his Ph.D. in human development from Marywood University.
“I realized that my biggest failure was also my biggest accomplishment. Failing out of college in my youth was the best thing that could have happened to me,” Eisele said.
“When you’re up against the odds, you have to keep a positive attitude. Great people exceed others expectations,” Eisele said.
That very attitude has allowed him the role of certified pilot for the last 10 years. When he is not busy in the classroom or at home with his wife of 37 years, he takes to the air to paint the sky.
“It’s very exciting to fly. The feeling of being in the air is just indescribable,” Eisele said.
Today, Eisele is a full-time mathematics professor at The University. Before his employment at The University, he served as principal of Wayne Highlands Middle School in Honesdale for nine years.
“Teaching is an enjoyable experience for me. I just have a smile on my face all the time,” Eisele said.
Eisele also has roots within the Scranton community. Both he and his wife are graduates of The University.
“My wife loved her experience here and I’m grateful to have a position at such a great school,” Eisele said.
Eisele and his wife met in high school. More than three decades later, they are proud parents of three children – the youngest being 31-years-old.
“It’s a true love story. We were high school sweethearts and my heart has never wandered anywhere else,” Eisele said.
When asked to say some closing words to his students and all those who faced difficulties of their own, he simply giggles and keeps a smile on his face.
“Maintain that positive attitude. It’s a critical part of anyone’s life. It’s that positive energy that takes us a long way,” Eisele said.
By Tim Dolan
News Correspondent