FARMINGTON – SpongeBob SquarePants has nothing on Dr. James Melcher. The political science professor at the University of Maine Farmington has not just students but fans.

The animated, fast-moving professor zips around his lecture hall at a dizzying pace, frequently sporting a chalk line on his pants from leaning on a blackboard during a rare still moment, according to one of his students.

“It’s like watching cartoons,” said junior Addie Qualey.

During a recent exercise in civil liberties, Melcher split his class in two groups, giving each descriptions of U.S. Supreme Court cases, and asked each group to rule on it after discussion.

In the expansive Lincoln Auditorium, Melcher dashed up and down aisles to check on students’ discussions.

One student, trying a case on pre-game prayer at a high school stadium, asked about the Lemon rule, which set a precedent to determine whether government involved itself unconstitutionally with religion. Melcher took his cue, singing the ever-popular “Lemon Tree” song, replete with Jamaican accent and swaying hips – never mind that most of his students were too young to recognize the tune.

Qualey said she remembers her first class with the popular prof.

“He was really serious but then he broke into his Melcherisms,” she said describing Melcherisms as voices, gesticulations and pacing.

“He’s very animated and keeps everyone in class engaged,” she said.

Melcher is well-known for his impersonations of politicians from Roosevelt to President Bush. He easily moves in and out of voices of Presidents George W. Bush, Ronald Regan and Bill Clinton and random pop-culture icons such as Bob Dylan and Gramps Simpson. He also imitates local politicos, including Governor John Baldacci. He recently perfected recent Farmington legislative candidate Lance Harvell.

Harvell, also a Melcher student, said he asked his professor for advice on assisting on a campaign. Melcher asked him, instead, if he had considered running himself.

“He put the bug in my ear to run,” said Harvell, who lost by a close margin against incumbent Janet Mills in November.

Harvell said Melcher is very encouraging to his students. Indeed, he has inspired many to pursue careers in the political realm.

Matt Prindiville, outreach coordinator for the Natural Resources Council of Maine and a Melcher alumnus, said his former professor makes it so much fun that his students get hooked.

“I think the reason UMF has so many political science majors is because they get Melcher for American Government in their first year,” he said.

The 41-year-old professor from the politically active city of Madison, Wis., said he got into politics early. At 13, he worked on his first campaign, that of President Jimmy Carter.

He said he tries to be as open as possible and demands civility and respect for everyone’s opinions in his classes.

Qualey described Melcher as objective, and said she didn’t know the professor’s political leanings until he wore his Kerry button this year.

“He’s good at playing devil’s advocate and does a really good job of showing us both sides,” she said.

His teaching philosophy, appropriately enough, is the same as Highlights magazine for children.

“Fun with a purpose,” he said. “I use sugar to help the medicine go down,” he said of his teaching style in what many might consider boring subjects.

Although it may seem all fun and games, his students are obviously learning.

“He knows the material so well, he can throw his class notes out the window,” said Qualey, who is considering law school when she graduates. “I really respect him because he can do that. He may not always cover the outline for the day, but what he does cover is always relevant,” she added.