Signed with a Smile
I feel compelled, even though I'm truly and absolutely busy. I feel that I need to write something special about someone special we recently lost. Sir Dennis, our beloved Program Director for the School of Information Technology passed away on December 4th peacefully in his sleep. Whilst I believe that he has gone much to soon, I'm thankful to God for not making his passing painful in any way.
Three years ago, I was a novice, I had no idea how being a college student worked. He was one of my professors during my first term as a colegiala. His subject was fairly simple, IT Concepts... But it was where we'd base our whole careers as Information Technology students. The course required you study hard, because you had this long-ass quizzes. But once you see your grade, you go; "Ahhh.. So this is how your reap the prize." He also spoke about how everyone else could be successful, it was never about just a few could succeed, but always about EVERYONE CAN. I could feel how passionate he was about caring for us, his students... And only wanted what was the best for us.
I remember an incident almost exactly three years ago where half of our Algebra class failed our finals (HALF! No one should fail half a class!). I talked to my mom about the situation, and she in turn talked to Sir Dennis about the issue. I could remember how my mom told me we were in the clear and we could move on to our next math class. I owe my being a regular student to him. My friend, along with some other classmates weren't as fortunate and they still had the 'R' mark, also they had trouble finding a slot for themselves to enroll in Algebra again. From what I heard, Sir Dennis could have snapped his hands and they'd be enrolled asap. This isn't about him boasting his powers or lording over his subordinates, this is about Sir Dennis caring genuinely and deeply for his students.
He was passionate about Volkswagen cars, he had a beetle car we fondly called Herbie, because it was designed the same exact way as Herbie The Race Car. Herbie had the number 53 stamped in the middle of her hood... Sir Dennis was 53 when he passed away.
I usually see him at school early in the morning, at the parking lot smoking a cigarette or we'd chance upon each other in the elevator. He's always smiling! Greet him with a; "Good morning Sir!" and he'd just say, "Sup?'" In that really groovy way that makes you smile too. He's a cool man, no fuss, no drama, just work, fun and genuine care. Up to now, I can barely believe he's gone, I'm almost always expecting to see him and greet him my usual "Good morning.", but when you realize it could never happen again, it's like a kick to the stomach. I'm sure everyone's looking forward to shaking his hand when we graduate, we can't do that now... But the least we could do is make sure his efforts for the school and the IT Department never goes to waste.
The little and big things he did for the school, for the students, for his family and for everyone else will never be forgotten. His contribution to the school can never be measured, he will surely be missed. IT WILL NEVER BE THE SAME WITH OUT HIM AGAIN. This will never be enough to express how grateful I am to him, but it's the only way I could think of to honor his legacy, memory and how he helped me as well as many others.