Page 26 - 2018 August Voices

and inspired me; he was that good. Professor

Leddusire loved teaching and learning; he
infected his students with his passion. I went on
to take 2.5 years of Russian language (and was
planning a Russian language minor) based on

how much he inspired me. I was going to speak
Russian fluently, work in the Department of
State, and be a diplomat.
Well . . . it didn’t quite work out that way,

I dropped out after 2.5 years. Six years after
taking my first class I decided to visit my former
professor. It was 1995, I was traveling, and the
school was close by. I was so excited!

I entered the school of foreign languages – an
old Victorian style house that was converted to
offices. It smelled the same: musty books, dusty I opened the door to the office that I had
carpets, and fusty professors. I stared at the spent years of classes in – the advanced Russian

stairway leading to his office. Suddenly, I didn’t classes had between 8-10 students, so we met in
want to do it. What if he wasn’t there? his wonderful, book lined office.
“James? James Wantz?” a female voice said “Hello,” he said, “May I help you?” He looked
to my right. the same: tweed jacket, sweater vest, rumpled

I turned and saw one of my first friends at slacks and big glasses.
college—she had hardly changed. “Mel? Wow, “Hi . . . ” I was going to introduce myself in
it’s great to see you!” We’d lost touch over the Russian but couldn’t remember the right words.
years. “You still here?” I didn’t want to get it wrong. “I was one of your

“Yeah, I’m finishing a makeup final, but I had students three years ago.”
to take a break. It’s for my latest degree. Yeah, I “Oh, you were,” he smiled. “Eastern European
keep collecting them. What are you doing here?” Literature?”
“I’m here to see Professor Leddusire. I was in “No, Russian. I was here for almost 3 years.”

town and popped over to visit the school.” “Oh—I don’t remember you. Did you just
We talked for a few minutes before she had take the one class?”
to return to the test. Talking to her gave me the My heart was sinking. “No, I took many of
strength to climb the stairs to say hello. She said your classes.”

he was in and that this was his office hour. I was As important as he was to me, he didn’t
fortunate. remember me. We talked only a minute more.
18 steps later I was at his door. I knocked. I was crushed. I went back to my car and drove
“Come in.” away.

VOICES! | AUGUST 2018 27