I immediately flashed to some of the amazing students with whom I’ve had the privilege to work — those with ambition to improve human and environmental conditions are a continuous source of hope to me, so I was ready to write.

Then I heard the news. My dear friend and colleague, Professor of English Carmen Gillespie, passed away suddenly on Aug. 30. My heart broke. People far beyond the scope of campus who knew Carmen were devastated, with people reaching out to me and other friends of hers through social media, emails and phone calls, expressing shock and grief from all parts of the country and globe. Hope had dissipated, and I no longer had anything to say. What could I possibly have to contribute about hope in the shadow of such sadness?

As I came out of a personal fog, and realized the enormous scope of Carmen’s community, I began to see beyond the heaviness of my own heart. I thought of the immense generosity, compassion, motivation and intellect that Carmen embodied and that drew so many to her light. In her 54 short years, Carmen modeled what it is to live a rich and meaningful life, fully engaged with others and turning to those around her as a source of hope. Could it be that she left a roadmap for those of us left behind?