03/04/2020
It is with an especially heavy heart that I want to note the passing of longtime Writing Department faculty member, and frequent Writing Center consultant, Molly Voorheis. My heart goes out to her family and her many friends.
As so many across SU already know, Molly was always kind in her approach to others, generous with her knowledge, and incredibly giving to all of those around her. She was also greatly admired by colleagues and extremely well liked by students in her classes and in the Writing Center.
When I was hired in 2011, she was one of the first people to introduce herself to me, and she was quick to say, “Those of us from the Midwest who find ourselves in CNY need to look out for one another.” Molly was a fount of disciplinary and institutional knowledge, and she was frequently someone I turned to for insight and advice about teaching, course design, and tutoring; her empathy, generosity, and willingness to always help others came to define how I saw her.
You could see those attributes every time she mentored new peer consultants in the WC, every time she shared her knowledge with her colleagues, and in all of her interactions with students. It was those attributes I admired most and always try to exemplify.
She was especially adroit at being brutally honest but kind, and tough but supportive.
She also had a special gift for challenging students while encouraging them; if I knew a student needed to be pushed *and* nurtured, I would invariably send them to her.
She was a consummate teacher who always led by example.
Early in my time at SU, I was once told, “If you don’t know what to do, ask Molly. She’ll know.” I didn’t fully understand this until I started giving the same advice to others.
Molly took on many roles in our department, and in the Center, and I came to rely on her a great deal. If her name was on the staff list come August or January, I knew that the semester would be just a little easier. And more fun.
I will miss her acerbic wit and wry sense of humor.
I will miss her as a colleague I knew I could always trust and rely on.
I will miss her love of teaching and her seemingly innate ability to make those around her better.
I will miss her as an immensely positive presence on this campus.
But mostly I just miss my friend.
