Sandi was the reason I became a college science professor. One day when I was in a program at Mizzou doing surgeries on rats and research that was not so fun for me, I wondered over to her office in Science Education and told her what I dreamed of doing one way. She listened, described the program that she had created there, and how our goals might fit together. It was a perfect match. Thus, I moved programs half-way through my time there and finished my degree with her. I've never had a mentor in my academic career that invested so much, cared so much, and was so patient with me while being confident in me. That's a rare thing to find. She never gave away her secrets or the "right answers" to things, but instead taught me how to figure it out on my own. She was truly a talented, unique individual that played a significant role in bringing up her students. We were part of her family, spending many evenings eating pizza and playing pool in her basement as we talked about topics in the field.
When we attended conferences with her, she was like a celebrity among her peers. We would follow her around like little ducklings while she introduced us to people. I remember my first national conference, there were 7 of us walking around with her, and she would introduce us to people like a proud mom, saying, "and this is Meredith from Canada, and Enrique from Peru, and Chia-Yu from Taiwan, and Kadir from Turkey, and Kristen from Arkansas." I always loved that part. =) It got a smile every time. She loved being able to show us off, even though we were all newbies.
After my defense meeting last summer for my dissertation, it meant the world to me that she was so proud of me. Like a parent being proud of their kid. And that she came with her family and celebrated with me afterwards. She hugged me and whispered, "that was one of the best defenses I've ever been a part of." And my jaw just dropped, because I knew how many she had done in her career. It makes me so sad to think that toward the end of these last 4 years as she's been fighting this horrible disease of cancer, that the other students in the program didn't get to experience her as we did. They didn't have her in class where she could so skillfully make a point about something that stuck with you forever. They didn't spend that time at her house, feeling like part of her family.
Last week we had faculty meetings where they asked us about people that made a significant impact in our lives, and Sandi is definitely one of those is mine. Her influence on my life will always be there, and I'm just heartbroken to know that she's not here anymore. And heartbroken for her precious husband and her son who is a senior in high school now. I can't even imagine how difficult this must be for them.
So I look forward to going back to Columbia and being with my old friends and with Sandi's family to remember her, and cry together, and just be together.
I'll miss you, Sandi.
This picture is from my defense after-party. I had just woken Blake up from his nap because I so wanted Sandi to meet him. Poor guy was still sleepy so he wouldn't let anyone else hold him. I'm so glad to have this picture, and I love the expression on both of their faces. =) So funny.
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