The English program and the entire University of California Merced community mourns the passing of our colleague, teacher, and friend Dr. Jan Goggans. At a memorial event on March 2, 2022, several colleagues, students, and former students paid tribute:
Student Kaylin Insyarath:
"As I prepare to graduate and leave this place that I have become so accustomed to, I will carry with me, her unshakable confidence, the hope that she had for the future of literature, and her passionate nature. She held my hand as I walked through some of the most difficult realms of education and so, the success that’ll follow my college career will be, in-part, because of her. And for that, and for everything else that she has given me these past three years, I will be forever grateful."
Former student Jennifer Zamora:
"It's true what they say about people coming into your life for a reason. Jan came into my life to teach me the importance of believing in myself. Not only did she take me under her wing, she taught me how to fly.
Jan, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I will forever cherish and remember your guidance, compassion, and support"
Colleague Katie Brokaw:
"To know Jan was to know you had someone who was in your corner, who wasn’t going to judge you, but was always going to root for you.
The two great loves of Jan’s life were Ellen and her students. We talk about student-centered teaching: Jan lived it."
Former student Cris Gomez:
"I think her way of teaching and ways of seeing the world were a perfect match for UC Merced, and as a former student of hers, I know we are so grateful and fortunate to have had her as a professor.
The only consolation I can offer is that we will continue the work. As her book states, we will 'make it work.''"
Former student Lynsday Teegarden:
"I don’t know how to express just how awesome I thought Jan was. She just was. She was kind, sweet, patient, understanding, and generous. She was my friend, too. And that’s why I will miss her, so very much.”
Colleague Sean Malloy:
"And I can’t think of a more fitting tribute than for than those of us who are left behind to continue the joyful struggle to make this the kind of university, the kind of state, and the kind of world that Jan believed that it could be."
Not only did she take me under her wing, she taught me how to fly.
