Sadly, I received notification from my alma matta of the death of a beloved young professor, Dr. Gustavo Wensjoe, the head of the International Studies Program there.
I didn't know him. Yet in reading the Face Book posts, he was a sublime educator who pushed when students needed to be pushed, consoled when students needed to be consoled, and taught global students global concepts with such depth and passion so as to make the world a better place. One student quoted him as saying, "Live like you'll die tomorrow. Learn like you'll live forever." This is actually a Mahatma Gandhi quote, but so appropriate to the way Professor Wensjoe modeled his brief life - based on the comments of those who knew him. God bless you and your family, Dr. Wensjoe, for what you brought to the world.
Coincidentally this quote makes me feel as if I knew Dr. Wensjoe as I do live my life this way. I thrive on learning. Learning makes me feel alive. I'm a better person within and without because of learning. I bring the passion generated from learning to my every day living and to the people I cherish. God bless you, Dr. Wensjoe, for connecting with me beyond the limits of conciousness we call life as knowledge knows not the boundaries we call life and death.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
So sad to hear of a young man's life cut short. A life well lived and one we can all model our lives after. And because our communication abilities(Blogs, Wiki's, email) so many more are able to share in the amazing man's life. How exciting to think that we have at our finger tips the ability to communicate with one another with only the effort of logging in and signing-in. The future of education is very exciting as when we truly embrace this form of communication learning with move with the spead of a "post comment". And amazing our conversation started with sharing of this man's life. I think he would like that.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think he would be proud to be thought of so highly by educators who never actually met him.
ReplyDeleteI applaud Dr.Wensjoe's efforts to expand the art of thinking for his students. May the legacy we each leave behind be as poignant.
ReplyDelete