(On November 24, 2005, Professor Janet Andersen of the Hope College Mathematics Department was killed in an automobile accident. This tribute is adapted from remarks made at her memorial service.)

There are so many wonderful things that I could say about my close friend and colleague, Janet Andersen, that it’s hard to know where to begin. I simply cannot sum up Janet’s academic life and what she meant to the Mathematics Department and to Hope College—not to mention her roles as wife, mother, and church member—in a few paragraphs. Janet was one of those rare individuals who could carry out many different responsibilities simultaneously with the highest levels of excellence, while at the same time maintaining a sense of vitality, enthusiasm, and fun. She was known locally for her dedication to students and to scholarship, and nationally for being a leader in mathematics education and mathematical biology.

Janet’s long list of academic accomplishments—including publishing three books (two co-authored with Todd Swanson and Bob Keeley and the other with Todd Swanson), writing numerous research and expository articles, being Principal Investigator on three NSF grants and co-PI on several more, giving invited lectures, serving on panels, and organizing conferences—gives the clear impression that Janet was an extremely hard working person. This is true. What I would rather focus on, however, is who Janet was as a person, and what motivated her to work so incredibly hard. Janet, quite simply, had a deep and profound concern for the people around her—in particular, for her students and fellow faculty members.

Janet had a boundless love and concern for students. She was willing to go to any lengths necessary to challenge students with difficult ideas, motivate them to learn, and offer them encouragement and support along the way. Late last fall, a student shared that the week before her death, Janet had sat with him for over two hours during an evening, helping him to work through a difficult part of an independent project. He and Janet hadn’t been able to resolve the issue completely, so Janet had spent another hour working on the problem that night, and had brought him information leading to a solution the next day. Janet had that kind of commitment to each individual student—multiply that by 60 or 70 students each semester, and you’ll begin to realize not only the huge amount of time Janet was willing to invest in her students, but also the enormity of Janet’s impact on her students’ lives. Janet showed a special concern for those students who struggled academically, lacked confidence, or might be less inclined to seek necessary support—students who, as she put it, would “fall through the cracks” if someone didn’t take the time to get to know them and their unique gifts and challenges. Janet was willing to invest the time to teach these students how to do the hard work of learning – how to question, explore, analyze, assess, and then be willing to start the entire process over again until deeper understanding was achieved. Most importantly, she stood beside the students during that difficult process, and offered support when students were frustrated or doubtful of their own abilities.

In our department and among faculty across the campus, Janet was known as a builder of community. She had a unique ability to get people of differing opinions or backgrounds together and encourage them to talk. She was good at helping people to address controversial issues and build consensus, while at the same time respecting one another and even having fun. Janet was fond of hallway conversations and inviting others for trips to the coffee shop, during which important relationships developed and flourished. On a personal level, I remember that she was willing to work closely with me and support me, but also to tell me honestly and directly when she thought I was wrong. She challenged me to analyze and often rethink my assumptions. My view of education and of other people is fundamentally changed because of Janet’s role in my life. I’ve adapted my teaching techniques because of my interactions with Janet more than for any other reason. Most of what I’ve learned about being a department chairperson, I learned from Janet’s example.

The thing I’ll remember most about Janet is that, despite being such a hard working, innovative teacher and scholar, she really knew how to have fun. Her distinctive laugh echoed down the halls of our department on a daily basis—we didn’t have to wonder whether Janet was in her office on any given day. We would know. Janet also didn’t like to wear shoes, and she was well known for teaching and going to meetings barefoot – so much so that she was given about 20 pairs of shoes along with her Hope College Provost’s Teaching Award last year. (This yearly award has recently been renamed the “Janet L. Andersen Memorial Teaching Award” in her honor.) Janet started the traditions of our department having lunch together once a week and a faculty and staff Christmas party each year. Janet also loved to play games, whether it was “convincing” us at the yearly Christmas party that we really wanted to play Pictionary or playing board games in the department at lunchtime in the summer. She did so many of the things that made work days fun, and she played a major role in making the department a wonderful place to work.

The loss of Janet will be hard to bear on so many levels. I’ve lost one of my closest friends, as have many of you. The mathematics department has lost an outstanding teacher and educator, as well as a person who was instrumental in building and sustaining community within the department. The college has lost a well-known and respected scholar and one of its most caring and effective teachers. The mathematical community has lost a dedicated servant, an outstanding researcher, and a tireless advocate for students and student learning. The world has lost a bright light – someone who lived out the grace and love of her Lord Jesus Christ in tangible and sacrificial ways each day.

Most of all, we will miss Janet’s personality: her laugh, her smile, her contagious enthusiasm. Our continued love and prayers go out to Janet’s husband, Jim, and their children and extended family. In the coming months, we will rest in the steadfast hope of glory that Janet shared, and be assured that she is now somewhere better, doing things even greater, in the presence of the One who made her and who gave her life. And I am willing to bet that she is not wearing shoes.

Darin Stephenson, Hope C