Yesterday I found out some very tragic news. One of the professors of the Communication Studies department passed away yesterday morning after a short illness. I was in shock when I read this, and still somewhat am. Dr. Rebecca Verser leaves behind a husband Gil and a 5-year old daughter, Claudia. I have taken three classes taught by her (Nonverbal communication, Research Methods, and Family Communication) and learned so much from her. She advised me in November 2009 for my last semester as an undergrad student. Less than two months ago, she emailed me back answers to the many questions I had about graduate school, as she was the head of the graduate program for Comm., and she was in the hospital when she did so.
It's strange when you learn that someone you know has passed away, because all of these memories, some seemingly insignificant or small, come flooding back. After I learned of her passing, I cried a short time for her family, and began recounting to myself random things I remember about her. The first day of the first class I had with her two years ago, I remember she began by stating rules and purposes of the class. The last rule she stated was "You MUST have a sense of humor." That's how she was. Never taking class too seriously but providing an environment that the students can thrive and learn in. The second class I was nervous for because it was Research Methods; I had heard scary things about it (but a different professor had taught it previously). I did so well in that class and credit Dr. Verser for teaching it well and helping me and the rest of the class to understand difficult concepts. There was plenty of humor in that class as well. Because my regular adviser was out of the country last semester, Dr. Verser advised me instead, congratulating me and telling me how exciting it was that I would be graduating in May. She was her usual cheerful mood, and she wrote down the classes I needed/wanted to take on an index card and gave it to me. Just a few days ago, before leaving home to come back to Las Cruces, I was vacuuming my car and found that index card, with her writing, and threw it away because I didn't need it anymore. I'm not saying I should have kept it or I necessarily regret throwing it away, it's just disconcerting to think about. Near the beginning of this semester, one of my classes signed a card for her because she had been in the hospital in El Paso. A few weeks later, I thought she was out and that's when I emailed her the questions about grad school. I am pretty sure I saw her not long after in one of the other professor's office talking with him, when I walked by. But I can't remember if that was her.
I am not trying to draw parallels or make these memories and events ironic, but this is what happened when I found out. As stated by the COMM. department, "Dr. Verser was an untiring advocate for our students." She taught me so much and even though I haven't had a class with her for a while, I still feel deeply sad that someone who contributed greatly to my and others' college careers is no longer with us or her family.
RIP Dr. Verser.
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