IU professor's devotion not forgotten

So many professors are forgotten as many people pass through the giant that is IU, but to Kipchoge Kirkland's friends and colleagues, he will not be. Kirkland, assistant professor since 2002 in the School of Education, died of natural causes Friday, according the education school's Web site. He was 35.\nDirector of Recruitment and Retention at the School of Education Ghangis Carter said Kirkland will be extremely missed.\n"It's difficult to deal with his death from a couple angles. First, he was a young African American male and he was a friend. Those things come to mind," Carter said. "In a short period of time at Indiana University, he touched a lot of lives on campus and beyond; that's what we're dealing with."\nKirkland was born in 1970 and had pursued a life that was dedicated to helping others. After he received a degree in biology from Washington State University in 1992, he went back to school in 1996 and received a degree in secondary education and later became a high school biology teacher. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Washington in 2001 and joined IU in 2002, where he became an assistant professor in curriculum studies and social studies.\nProfessor Paulette Dilworth spoke of Kirkland's gift with his students and his high spirits.\n"The power of his influence, caring commitment to excellence and wanting to see his students do the very best that they could, both at IU and in their chosen career paths, was immense," Dilworth said. "He had a very interesting and unique perspective because he was very well traveled and a culturist. He had a deep appreciation for all cultures and people, he always tried to find ways to share that with young people. That will be very hard to replace."\nCarter also said he had an instant connection with Kirkland, mainly because Kirkland was mentored by a good friend of Carter's while Kirkland was attending University of Washington to receive his Ph.D.\n"He was a real genuine individual, and I believe that's why the loss is felt deeply, not only by colleagues but also by students," Carter said. "You got a person who was real. We had an immediate connection and then a friendship so for that I'm extremely grateful."\nDilworth said Kirkland was very involved in the spoken word and was very devoted to his students. \n"He was committed to students and teachers, and I think that came through in his work and the work he was involved in both in Indianapolis and in South Africa," Dilworth said. "He was one of those people -- once you met him you always wanted to feel embraced by him; he had that presence about him. He had a common interest in youth and hip-hop culture. He was known around (the) country for his poems and spoken word. Much of the work he's shared with us over time communicated how much he loved life and being able to impact and influence other people. One of legacies he will leave is the relationship with other people."\nExecutive Associate Dean for the School of Education Peter Kloosterman said faculty will be helping to take over the classes Kirkland was teaching and also added that counseling will be available and a memorial service will be held.\n"For the rest of the semester the faculty will cover his classes," Kloosterman said. "It's really too soon to make other decisions."\nKloosterman said the mood at the School of Education is solemn, and faculty and students are still grieving over the loss.\n"There is a very somber mood, this was a big shock for everybody. Kirkland was very well liked and well respected," Kloosterman said. "He was a wonderful teacher, he did use a lot of poetry in his classes. He just went beyond normal instruction to get students involved in his classes. He was a real spark and a wonderful person."\nKirkland's desire to help others and make a difference in other people's lives is evident in his own words. His profile on the School of Education's Web site reveals Kirkland's devotion noted by his colleagues. \n"It is because of this reality that I've chosen a career in education," he explained. "Along the way, I have met students, teachers, mentors, elders, and families in diverse communities that have helped me to make this decision to do academic research in the areas of multicultural education, civic education and curriculum and instruction. It is my hope that I will touch the minds and hearts of future teachers and students with my passion and commitment to education, freedom and social justice. I do it because others have done it for me."\nKirkland's funeral will take place at 10 a.m. Friday in Sacramento, Calif. Members of the School of Education plan to attend. A memorial service to honor Kirkland will be held at 4 p.m. April 8 in the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.\n-- Contact Senior Writer Lindsay Jancek at lmjancek@indiana.edu.