Wednesday, June 30, 2021

DR. C HAS DIED

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

My favorite professor has died. I called him Dr. C. He was a critical part of my life during the '90s.

When I married, I had about a year's worth of college credits. It took me another 20 years to get my BA as we moved around for my ex-husband's education and career. I was of no importance to my husband and allowed myself to be treated as such.

When we settled in one spot in Maryland, I found a college to attend, and I was off to the races to get my degree in English. I came to know Dr. C during my second semester when I took his survey of American literature class. I found him intimidating, but realized quickly that his demands expanded my ability to write a critical essay. 

At the end of the semester, he asked me to be one of his graders when classes resumed in the fall. It was the beginning of four semesters working for him. We became closer each semester. My respect for him grew.

I took every class he taught with the exception of English 101, for which I graded quizzes and essays.  I'll try here to remember them all: Survey of American Lit, Greek Mythology, American Poetry, 19th Century American Lit, Shakespeare, Milton . . . could there have been something else? I can't remember now.

Dr. C expected his students to use "a close, textual" analysis when writing our essays. It was New Criticism. It served me well. I used the same approach as a newspaper reporter, leaning heavily on quotations in my work with analysis of my own and from experts.

I received my first A+ from Dr. C in the Shakespeare class when I wrote about appearance v. reality in As You Like It. He said I had taught him something. I didn't need my car to get home that day. I floated.

Dr. C praised my clear style and said I had grown as a grader. Sometimes we gossiped a little in his office, chatting about the other professors. He let me into his world––the world of literature and writing and education. We had the kind of relationship I've never had with another man, because it was based on love and respect and learning from each other with no suspicions or agendas.

When I graduated, I planned on continuing my education with a master's degree, but my husband was unemployed and the master's never happened. But I emailed Dr. C to let him know I was a journalist. He replied: I knew you'd find your niche.

Yes, Dr. C has died, but 35 years of teaching provide a legacy of learning by thousands of students. I'll always miss him and our time together.

He was important to me, and I was important to him.


Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug


48 comments:

  1. What a wonderful reflection on your professor and the mutual admiration and respect you had for each other. Life is so much richer for these relationships, and it's sad to lose them, no matter how recent or not they were. Saluting Dr. C and sending you a warm hug, Janie.

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  2. What wonderful memories, and a fine tribute. Vale Dr C.

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    1. That was probably the happiest time in my life.

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  3. Hi Janie - you were lucky to have been able to learn from and spend time with Dr C ... with thoughts - Hilary

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    1. I was very fortunate and was always shocked when a student expressed dislike for him.

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  4. This is a lovely commentary on a man who obviously was a very significant influence in your life. It's a shame that we don't all have a Dr. C to remember in this way.

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  5. Isn't it funny how much teachers influence us, that we remember them years later.
    I had a handful of teachers whose names I will never forget, nor what they taught me, both in school and in life.
    Nice tribute to Mr. C.
    xoxo

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    1. Another favorite for me was Mrs. Breitweiser, who taught high school math. She made algebra and geometry so clear.

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  6. I'm very sorry to hear this, Janie. My condolences.

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    1. Thank you, Jennifer. He had such an impact on my life that I still can't use "impact" as a verb because it was unacceptable to him.

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  7. What a wonderful tribute to a beloved professor! It was a pleasure to read it, Janie.

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  8. What a lovely eulogy. I hope you find a way to get it into the hands of any loved ones he leave behind. I am sorry for your loss, sweetie.

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    1. I found the obituary on a funeral home site, which allowed me to send a card to his son on which I wrote pretty much what I said here.

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  9. What a touching homage to your professor! I'll bet it meant the world to him to have been such a positive influence in your life. I'm so sorry for your loss.

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    1. He wrote on one of my essays that a student such as I was a reward for his teaching. He was very much aware of the impact he had on my writing.

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  10. What a treasured relationship! Sorry to hear he has passed, but his influence has been with you for all these years. hugs

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    1. And will stay with me for the rest of my life.

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  11. What a lovely tribute to someone who made your life better.

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  12. Hugs. It's obvious by your skills that he taught you well.

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    1. He was nice, but he was demanding and he had high expectations.

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  14. A great tribute to an important person. I would also point out the specialness of being selected to grade papers.

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    1. It was an honor to work for him and become his representative with the students.

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  15. What a wonderful memory to share with us. Beautiful. I think he would give you an A+ for this one too...

    Peace...

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    1. Thank you, dear heart. I'm sure I'm not the only student who remembers him and he'd be touched by tributes to him.

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  16. He sounds like the perfect teacher - though sadly today I don't think many reporters do close analysis!

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    1. I worked in small town journalism. Maybe we had more time to analyze.

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  17. I hope you consider yourself of importance now! You have reminded me of my 9th grade English teacher who was a great influence on me. When I re-wrote "Romeo and Juliet"-in a Southern country Georgia way, he liked it so much, he asked if he could keep it. 😊Of course, I let him. No copiers in those days.

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  18. Wow. How wonderful to have such a close relationship with a mentor. I hope he came to know not just his impact on your writing but also your life! Mentors are hard to acquire at the undergrad level. It is also a tribute to you and what he saw in you that this relationship developed.

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    1. Becoming his grader made the difference in our relationship because we spent more time together.

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  19. Condolences, Janie. And what a wonderful life experience and friendship.

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  20. What a wonderful tribute to someone who really touched your life. Sending you lots of love and my heartfelt sympathy. xo

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  21. Oh, I'm sorry to hear it. It's wonderful to have a mentor, someone who can help guide and inspire.

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    1. If he had taught any other classes, I would have taken them even after I had my degree.

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  22. What a touching tribute, Janie. So many people seem to have died or be dying "on me" that I have to remember it isn't me or about me. But the sadness and gratitude we feel is personal.

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    1. As I age, I learn of the passing of friends and it breaks my heart.

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