Yale student, professor George Hersey dies at 80
Some students complain at graduation about leaving Yale’s halls for the outside world, but during his half-century at the University, George Hersey GRD ’54 found a solution to this problem: He never left.
It was at the beginning of 2001 when I decided to start corresponding with experts in the field of art history. I was 19 then, a freshman in some European country, and I needed professional advice to develop my knowledge and fill in the gaps. I found Professor Hersey's name on the Yale University website and I simply wrote to him. I had no illusions at the time that a prestigious art historian from a top university would accept to guide me in the field. I probably expected him to ignore my email, as many others from the European continent had. But Professor Hersey was different. He unreservedly accepted to be my long-distance tutor. "I am touched and flattered.", he replied. Imagine how touched I was.
We had exchanged dozens of emails, discussing art, the Renaissance in particular, Michelangelo. His expertise and advice were an invaluable asset to my professional development. At the end of my freshman year, I had a research paper long as a masters dissertation, ready. To me, it was a self-assessment, a starting point. I sent it to him and I humbly waited for his opinion. It was the first time in my life when I heard a professor telling a student "I have learned much from you." It was overwhelming. If you would only had known, dear Professor, how much I have learned from you. You were a truly amazing person. I thank you most heartily.
I was deeply distressed to find out that in 2007, the long-distance became longest-distance. I wish people like him were eternal. I am sure they are. My heart goes with Professor Hersey's family and friends.
Oriana
University College London