Sometimes the most qualified person to teach a history class about the Vietnam War is someone who was there.
After studying at University of Miami, Columbia University and Stanford University, Lehtinen obtained degrees in political science and business administration as well as a Juris Doctorate. Throughout those years he has been a United States attorney, Florida State senator and Vietnam War veteran.
During fall 2011 he is teaching a history class called United States and Vietnam in the Cold War, a course that “explains the cultural differences between the U.S. and Vietnam and examines how and why they got involved in Vietnam and ended up fighting a major war in southeast Asia.”
Along with Professor Anthony Atwood, a doctoral candidate who is working on his dissertation on World War II, the two hope to provide a unique experience and perspective for their students.
“Professor Lehtinen has a great insight. He was there. We get a whole picture of the Cold War,” said Ethan Thomas, a senior history major.
During the Vietnam War, Lehtinen worked his way up to first lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Lehtinen had to retire from the Army when he was injured in action and retired with a Purple Heart.
Lehtinen sustained injuries to his face and his discharge from the army did not deter him. Instead, they became his reasoning for entering the teaching profession.
“I got shot in a war. I couldn’t see well enough to fly. When that happened I had enough education to do something else. I came away from the army with the belief that the more a person knows about history the better,” said Lehtinen.
His favorite part about teaching is the students.
“Students that are interested in the subject keep me around,” he said.
The students feel the same way.
“He makes the class interesting. We learn the true story of the Vietnam War. Vietnam War is not the war of pop culture, he shows us that,” said senior Aquiles Consugra, a history major.
Lehtinen’s long history with the University has allowed him to see the impact his teaching has had on his students. His wife, U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, is a University alumna who recently paid a visit to the University on Oct. 28.
His former student includes Florida Representative David Rivera who took a constitutional law class with Lehtinen.
He continues having an impact on his students.
“You can’t understand Vietnam unless you know the facts and the context. We pay more attention to the atrocities and My Lai Massacre,” said Lehtinen. “If this class learns anything it is that people have it worse.”
Lehtinen continues to grow and learn with his classes. He wants his students to be able to look and process information in different contexts.
“It is a tool for thinking,” he said. “Students should be able to look at history and imagine what it was like back then and now.”
The only conflicting aspect about the job for him is the time restraint.
“My wife Ileana would like me in Washington more.”
As long as he is able to, Lehtinen plans to continue being a professor.
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