Remembering an Accessible Mentor

This post is in memory of a good friend and colleague. It reminds us that informal settings—away from one’s office or computer—can promote mentoring.

The friend and colleague was my college classmate Scott, whom I met the start of freshman year. That year we happened to take the same literature course. We also worked in the same dining hall to help pay expenses.

After college, Scott and I lost touch. Then, 15 years later, I visited Texas A&M University to be interviewed for a faculty position. There was Scott, who had recently become a faculty member at Texas A&M!

I was offered—and accepted—the faculty position. Scott and I resumed our friendship. Five years later, when I married a faculty colleague, Scott attended our wedding.

Over the years, Scott and my husband and I met periodically for lunch. We were to dine together December 20. The day before, when Scott hadn’t replied to messages confirming plans, I called his office. A staff member said the department had just learned that Scott had unexpectedly died.

Scott was known as a wonderful teacher and mentor. As well as being an official advisor, he would chat with students when taking a break on a bench on campus. Many students who might not have gone to his office received mentoring that way.

Good mentoring can occur in many settings. Some potential mentees might not go to a professor’s office—or register for AuthorAID mentorship. By being available in informal contexts too, we can provide the most guidance.

Until the next post—

Barbara