To Dr. Chris Hokanson, Mentor, Professor, Friend: As I continue to work through my grief over your untimely death, I have been reminded of how blessed I was to have known you. You were my Academic Adviser, the professor with whom I have had the most classes at Judson, a role model, mentor, counselor, friend, and brother in Christ. You were the reason that I finally decided to become an English major during the later course of my freshman year. You helped me to create my second major, an interdisciplinary degree program, for which you also became my main Academic Adviser. You helped me to publish my first book, written along with three other students and another professor. You sponsored our student literary magazine, the English Club, Sigma Tau Delta, and assisted with countless other organizations. You always listened to all of my crazy ideas when I would come barging into your office with yet another idea for the English Club or Department. You inspired me to pursue my dreams. There are so many things I wish I could tell you, Dr. Hokanson. First, I would like to say thank you. Thank you for everything. I am so glad that you convinced me to become an English major. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Thank you for being so instrumental in the formation of my second major. Thank you for being a wonderful adviser and mentor. Your enthusiasm for my academic plans as well as your assistance with my (many) school projects has been a source of constant encouragement. Perhaps the most important thing that I want to say, though, is that I will miss you. I will miss the way you made reading and studying literature the activities that I most looked forward to every single day. I will miss the little black statue of the Maltese Falcon that sat in your office windowsill every day, so aptly named for your favorite movie. I will miss the hundreds of books that you kept in your office piled upon your bookshelves that could barely hold the weight of that many books. I will miss your unwavering support and your genuine encouragement. I will miss you terribly, and your absence will never be forgotten. I wish you were here, but I am glad that your suffering has ended. Rest in God’s unfaltering peace, Dr. Hokanson. -Rachel Ray, Judson College
