Tull PROMISE Comments for July 16
PROMISE:
Some of Jessica’s last minutes were spent in my office after a PROMISE public speaking seminar. She was telling me about her experience at the Howard University-University of Texas El Paso AGEP conference on Preparing Future Faculty. Jessica was UMBC’s representative, attending with Lemuel Russell from the University of Maryland Baltimore and Aisha Sexton from College Park… the picture of the three of them together remains an ICON of PROMISE Maryland’s AGEP. It is the picture on the cover of our brochure, it is the picture that you saw on the stand when you walked in the door. PROMISE is an alliance for graduate education and the professoriate, an AGEP. There are 27 AGEPs around the US and Puerto Rico. With Maryland’s AGEP, the alliance is between UMBC, UMCP, and UMB, PROMISE members from all three of these schools are here today. On that day outside of my office, I gave Jessica a hug and a kiss goodbye, genuinely expecting to see her the next day and let her know that I had followed through with asking Mary Ellen Jackson if she could attend the Advance Faculty Horizons program in August. That day makes me sad, but to cheer myself, I remember happy times like being able to say YES to Jessica’s request for finances to present at a conference, like talking with her about her family, and those social moments like having lunch in the Skylight room after 2004 Commencement where she had been a volunteer. UMBC PROMISE Peer mentor Robert Alexander discussed that day in a personal tribute, he speaks for all of use with these words: “Jessica, was a highlight of every PROMISE gathering. She had a spirit and an energy that was mesmerizing. Whether it was the 10AM, Wednesday morning UMBC peer-mentor meetings or getting together after a PROMISE function in College Park, Jessica had this way to make you enjoy whatever you were doing. I miss my friend. I am thankful to the Lord for blessing me (and us) with such a beautiful and wonderful person. I love you Jessica and I miss you.”
On behalf of the National Science Foundation, I would like to express sincere condolences to the family and friends of Jessica Soto Perez.
Words are rarely sufficient to convey the full sense of loss that follows a tragedy.
As we celebrate Jessica’s life, I think we should remember her spirit, determination, energy, positive attitude, and unselfishness.
In that remembrance, we should rededicate ourselves to the values, principles, and goals that Jessica so dynamically exemplified.
In that remembrance, we should fully embrace those things that make life so worthwhile… especially loving and caring for one another.
I commend Jessica’s mentors and fellow scholars for coming together as a community in support of Jessica’s family and in support of each other. In doing so, you have given lasting honor to Jessica’s memory.
Jessica was a part of a National community of scholars. That community will mourn her loss yet rejoice in having had the opportunity to know her, to respect her, and to love her.
Roosevelt Johnson, Ph.D.
Program Director
National Science Foundation