I owe more of my life’s path to John than I can easily put into words. He was not only my undergraduate faculty advisor and mentor at Hendrix College, but the person who first opened the door to my future. It was through his belief in me that I was accepted to Hendrix in the first place, and through his teaching and encouragement that I discovered a lasting passion for the academic study of religion that would ultimately shape my career in higher education.
John embodied the very best of what it means to be an educator. He was warm and generous with his time, brilliant in his thinking, and deeply passionate about ideas, learning, and students. His classes were places of intellectual excitement and genuine connection, where curiosity was nurtured and rigor was paired with joy. He had a rare gift for making people feel both challenged and fully supported.
What I remember most, though, is how human he was. His humor disarmed, his kindness reassured, and his faith in his students often exceeded their faith in themselves. He saw potential before it was visible and offered encouragement that lingered long after conversations ended. His mentorship did not simply shape my academic interests; it shaped my sense of purpose and responsibility within higher education.
John’s legacy lives on in the countless students he guided, inspired, and believed in — myself included. I carry his influence with me every day in my work, my values, and my commitment to students. I am endlessly grateful for his presence in my life, and I honor his memory by striving to offer others the same generosity, wisdom, and care that he so freely gave.
