Dr. J. has left the building (er, state)
I've posted about her before - Sheri Johnson, one of my favorite professors at UM (here she is - yes, I know it's a lil' creepy that I put her picture here, but I don't care - she rocks so freaking hard!!!)
Anyway, she and I have been in contact since we had lunch a few months back. And while I knew that her move to Berkeley was rapidly approaching, it still feels so sudden. We were corresponding even this week, and with my last response I got an email back saying:
To whom it may concern,
I have moved to the Department of Psychology at the University of California
Berkeley.
Please update your address book to SLJohnson@Berkeley.edu
Address: 3210 Tolman Hall, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720
Anyway, it's just another one of those "hard to believe" moments in my life. She seemed so successful at UM - adjunct faculty for both Psychology and Psychiatry. She had a million dollar grant for her work in bipolar disorder research. She published textbooks with other faculty members. She gave Calvin (the department dog) his treats every day. She was so, so grounded in her work here. I guess I just never imagined she'd leave - I always felt like she'd be here when I was ready for grad school. Ready to accept me, ready to re-engage me, ready to make me her apprentice all over again.
I know it's for the best or she wouldn't have gone - I'm sure Berkeley is an incredible place and that she has an amazing opportunity out there. I'm just so sad to see her go. And it's made a little more difficult by the fact that I just found out that Dr. Durel suddenly retired and moved to Virginia (she was my other favorite professor in my major). She had a HUGE impact on my life and I learned so much from her as well. I never got to say goodbye, and couldn't seem to get any contact info either. When I saw her last year, she said that she had a "few years left" in her. It's unsettling that she left so quickly and makes me wonder if she's okay. Finally, there's Kerry Coppin... my primary photography professor. If you know me well, you know the story behind our rough parting (after a riveting, unbelievable, challenging and overall amazing learning experience that took place over the course of almost 3 years). I've sent correspondence to his Brown email, and he doesn't even respond. It definitely hurts.
And somehow, the fact that they're all gone now makes me feel even more disconnected from my college experience. I really can't just reach out and touch any of it anymore.
Yes, I know things change, people change, opportunities arise and individuals move on. I know all of this! But from the person who has visited her elementary school, middle school and high school teachers once a year (every year since leaving them), it's just hard to accept.
Anyway, she and I have been in contact since we had lunch a few months back. And while I knew that her move to Berkeley was rapidly approaching, it still feels so sudden. We were corresponding even this week, and with my last response I got an email back saying:
To whom it may concern,
I have moved to the Department of Psychology at the University of California
Berkeley.
Please update your address book to SLJohnson@Berkeley.edu
Address: 3210 Tolman Hall, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720
Anyway, it's just another one of those "hard to believe" moments in my life. She seemed so successful at UM - adjunct faculty for both Psychology and Psychiatry. She had a million dollar grant for her work in bipolar disorder research. She published textbooks with other faculty members. She gave Calvin (the department dog) his treats every day. She was so, so grounded in her work here. I guess I just never imagined she'd leave - I always felt like she'd be here when I was ready for grad school. Ready to accept me, ready to re-engage me, ready to make me her apprentice all over again.
I know it's for the best or she wouldn't have gone - I'm sure Berkeley is an incredible place and that she has an amazing opportunity out there. I'm just so sad to see her go. And it's made a little more difficult by the fact that I just found out that Dr. Durel suddenly retired and moved to Virginia (she was my other favorite professor in my major). She had a HUGE impact on my life and I learned so much from her as well. I never got to say goodbye, and couldn't seem to get any contact info either. When I saw her last year, she said that she had a "few years left" in her. It's unsettling that she left so quickly and makes me wonder if she's okay. Finally, there's Kerry Coppin... my primary photography professor. If you know me well, you know the story behind our rough parting (after a riveting, unbelievable, challenging and overall amazing learning experience that took place over the course of almost 3 years). I've sent correspondence to his Brown email, and he doesn't even respond. It definitely hurts.
And somehow, the fact that they're all gone now makes me feel even more disconnected from my college experience. I really can't just reach out and touch any of it anymore.
Yes, I know things change, people change, opportunities arise and individuals move on. I know all of this! But from the person who has visited her elementary school, middle school and high school teachers once a year (every year since leaving them), it's just hard to accept.