![]() When I applied for a job, she wrote personalized and targeted letters of recommendation. When there was a thought-provoking but expensive conference opportunity for a student, she supported me to attend and learn. She was an extraordinary mentor who wholeheartedly supported her students. At every moment I worked with her, I was impressed by her tireless pursuit of knowledge, strong academic integrity, and genuine care for others. Although she was a highly respected scholar, she was willing to listen to a student’s opinion and always open to discussion. She was delighted when I asked her if I could refine and expand her theory. ![]() I was truly fortunate to have an opportunity to take up her work and further develop her theory of Radical Change. Since I first met her in 2005, she has shaped me as a scholar and educator. Eliza Dresang was my master’s and doctoral advisor at Florida State University. I am grateful for the time I spent with her and hope to do honor to her wonderful legacy.ĭr. I miss not only her expertise but also her gracious manner of sharing it. As I move forward with my dissertation work on adolescent learning in public libraries, the loss of Eliza is keenly felt. ![]() She graciously agreed to serve on my doctoral committee and provided a much-needed perspective to my work during the exam process. I was delighted to participate in the VIEWS2 project and learn from her research work up close. When I became a Learning Sciences student in the College of Education, she was very supportive and always interested in what I was up to. It was joyful to trade ideas about the classes we both taught in this area and what we felt was important for future librarians to know. I was delighted when Eliza joined the faculty because she represented all the things I love too youth, literature, and libraries. I feel very privileged to have worked with Eliza and benefited from her mentorship. This excerpt from the Richard Wilbur poem, “Some Opposites,” from the collection, Opposites, More Opposites, and a Few Differences (Sandpiper, 2000) sums up my feelings: That was clear from the May 14 memorial where so many spoke so eloquently of Eliza’s importance in their lives. I am cheered, though, by how the iSchool has embraced her vision, and I know that this community will continue to be imbued with her spirit. There was (I still want to say “is”) only one Eliza, and I miss her every day. I am grateful for the privilege of having had as my mentor a professor who put respect for youth at the center of everything she did. Her energy, intellect, generosity, and kindness knew no bounds. Through Eliza I saw first-hand how research can influence the lives of children and teens and the libraries that serve them. We worked together very closely at the iSchool, often teaching different sections of the same courses. She recruited me into the FSU doctoral program, guided me as a scholar, formed me as a teacher, hooked me on research, and reminded me (by example) to have fun. "As we spend Time grieving before the inevitable loss that lingers and creeps closer every second.There is so much I want to say about Eliza: she was my major professor at Florida State, my teacher, colleague, friend, and advisor. "I want to thank and genuinely recognize the majority of Eliza's followers who have given our family space as we spend Time with Eliza and with family," she added. "That doesn't mean I don't break down into tears before deleting said comments or blocking Eliza's 'followers.'"īut she also acknowledged the fans that had treated her family with respect during such a difficult time. Most of the time I have the strength," she wrote. "I wish I could unsee the ignorant, idiotic comments. Last Friday, Hudson became emotional on her social media as she slammed followers who were spreading a false rumor that Eliza had passed away. With over 5 million followers, the TikTok chronicled the family's experiences dealing with Eliza's diagnosis, which was determined when she was only 10 months old, according to her GoFundMe page. She concluded the heartfelt message by writing, "I want to believe I will wake up from this nightmare and you will be there holding our hands. Dancing in meadows or swinging on trees or walking alongside a beach somewhere with ocean salt water washing over your toes." "I want to believe you are somewhere with my dad and my sister. "I don't know where your soul went when it left your little body," she said. Hudson went on to say she woke up and reached for Eliza's hand in the morning, forgetting that her baby girl was taken away the night before, adding, "I don't think I ever will be ready to move on." ![]() "I thought that because we knew you were dying, that your death would not feel so sudden," she continued.
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