Saying Goodbye to a Mentor
Today, I came home from an amazing day out in the snowy mountains with friends and family and checked my mail to find my Department of Journalism at Western Washington University alumni newsletter. On the front cover was the news that my mentor, Pete Steffens, had passed away.
I immediately teared up, thinking of the moment this beloved journalism professor of mine stopped me in the middle of campus one foggy morning in Bellingham, Washington, after I’d taken a quarter away from writing and decided to pursue science and biology (I know, this still makes no sense to me). Pete, ran into me in front of the science building and he said something like, “Sarah, where have you been? We’ve missed you!”
We walked together for a while, and I didn’t have a good explanation for why I forsake my lifelong dream of being a writer. Truthfully, I felt lost. Maybe I was scared that I didn’t have what it took. I don’t know. But Pete saw through me that day. He asked me to come back. He told me I had great potential.
He believed in me. He made me feel special.
And because of this, I changed the trajectory of my career.
That’s the power of someone who cares. Someone who stops and takes an interest in someone else.
Pete Steffens did this for me.
It is not an understatement to say that because of Pete, I went on to write thousands of articles for magazines, more than 5,000 blog posts for various publications, and nearly six books. In the back of my mind, there has always been Pete’s voice telling me that I can do it, telling me that I am talented, important … able to succeed.
In remembering Pete’s legacy, I hope you will take the opportunity to recognize the talent and potential in someone. I hope you’ll cheer for her and give her a little nudge along her journey.
You’ll never know how very valuable that nudge may be.
Thank you, Pete. I am forever grateful.
Glemda
I thank Pete too!!! I would not have had the pleasure of reading your amazing novels!!!
Keep writing!!!!
tr4velgeek
Hi Sarah, I understand about how you wrote that he shaped your life. I have someone like Pete too. Someone who cares and supports me. I started writing because this person encouraged me to do it and yes, like you, i am very grateful to have him in my life.
Renee Taylor
Sarah, what an encouragement your story is for me. I only pray that I can encourage someone to reach their potential. Perhaps I will never know, but with your story it gives me encouragement to go with my heart from now on with those I meet in the future. So glad Pete did this for you, we are so blessed with your talent in writing!! Love ya Sarah
Jody Johnson
Lovely tribute. Lovely campus pics. Few things are more rewarding than helping someone find their calling. And sometimes. . . the one that needs a little nudge is your own soul.
Just read The Violets of March over the weekend. Bliss. Please keep writing! I can wait to read the rest of your books.
Jody
Valerie Alia
Hi Sarah,
I just saw your beautiful comments about Pete Steffens. They moved me deeply, because I know how true they are. I am the lucky person who shared Pete’s last sixteen years. We met in Bellingham, when I was hired by Western. We married on Connie Faulkner’s back porch (I’m assuming that you knew Connie), and began an adventure that continued until his age and wonky heart gave out. Pete was the love of my life. We treasured every minute of those wonderful years together. He changed my life (he said I changed his, too).
I case you haven’t seen it, Pete’s legacy of mentoring and inspiring students, and of nurturing First Nations/Native American journalists, continues. I endowed a scholarship in his name. It’s called the Pete Steffens Native American Scholarship. You can learn more (and contribute) from Angie Vandenhaak in the WWU development office. The first recipient is finishing her first year of journalism studies, and they are currently selecting the second recipient.
Please say hello if you are so inclined. My email address is included here. I moved to Toronto last year, to be closer to my sons and granddaughter. If you’d like to know more about me, Google will send you to my books and bio. If you’re ever in Toronto, say hello! -Valerie