Thoughts on John Lovas

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Thoughts on John Lovas topic started 7/27/2005; 12:37:46 PM last post 7/27/2005; 12:37:46 PM

Dan Mitchell - Thoughts on John Lovas   7/27/2005; 11:37:46 AM (reads: 1992, responses: 0) From Sterling Warner. John Lovas stood as a giant in the field of college English, and I count myself fortunate to have known and worked with him in various capacities for over 20 years. Back in 1985 when teaching as an adjunct instructor at De Anza College, I recall Lovas being the first full-time faculty member I ever spent a great deal of time to because he always was accessible and interested in what other English instructors were doing. To his credit, Lovas did his best to nurture new leaders in the profession. For instance, he was personally responsible for getting me involved in ECCTYC (English Council of California Two-Year Colleges)—also known as TYCA Pacific Coast. Quite busy already with my own classes, the YRC Conference, and writing projects, John persuaded me that I was the best person to succeed him as ECCTYC Region III Co-director, a position he had filled for 17 years. Naturally, he comments flattered me, but his sincerity convinced me that serving as an ECCTYC Co-director, and later other national English offices (including when I ran but did not win the CCCC Chair) would be a privilege. I know Lovas has inspired and mentors a multitude of English instructors in one-way or another. As so many others have noted, it will be next to impossible to replace John Lovas as one of the more dominate 21st century voices in college English—particularly his advocacy on the part of two-year colleges. His contributions to local, state, and national college organizations are legion. Knowing John and his tenacious spirit, he’s probably still trying to blog us and reminding one and all of the riches to be had as strategists, practitioners, scholars, and leaders in college English. John also would want us all to embrace change as a positive rather than a negative, for nothing is frozen in time because it would interfere with the sort of innovation that John loved). I would like to conclude my thoughts on John Lovas with a choka poem by Yakamochi Otomo from the Manyoshu. Since that time far off When heaven and earth began, The world has been a place Where nothing goes unchanged— So it has been told Over the ages. And when I look up To scan the fields of heaven, I see the bright moon Waxing and waning, And those treetops there On the foot-wearying mountain— When spring comes, Their blossoms open and shine, But with autumn, Dew and frost will blanket them, The winds worry them Till their yellow leaves have scattered. And we of this world are the same, it seems— The glow of red faces Fading away, Hair black as leopard-flower seeds That loses its color, The morning smile Vanished by evening; Like the buffeting wind That no eye can see, Like flowing water that never rests, Nothing is constant, Everything changes, And seeing it, my tears Fall in sudden showers And I cannot make them stop. Even the trees that speak no word Flower in spring And when fall comes Scatter their yellow leaves— For nothing goes unchanged. Thank-you John for being with us so long. Sterling Warner Evergreen Valley College Discuss