Students pay tribute to beloved professor
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I knew Dr. Packard before she was my professor, so the admiration blossomed long before UHCL. She was a monumental part of my glorious days at this school. She’s the epitome of what I aspire to be professionally. I always told her, up until a few months before she passed away, “I want to be you when I grow up.”
She was a master of her trade, classy and brilliant. Her confidence and love for the field of communication was contagious. Her intriguing lectures sparked in me a hunger for knowledge that will never relent. Her snow storm of red marks on my papers would frighten me but for the greater good. Her notes off to the side were often funny, helpful and inspired me to do better and better with each assignment.
I served as editor of the UHCL newspaper for two terms (2006-2007) and was crazy enough to launch a name-change campaign because I thought the paper deserved a stronger name than UHCLIDIAN. During many of our frequent hallway chitchats, she’d give me advice and hilarious pep talks on public speaking tactics so I wouldn’t be nervous when presenting my arguments in front of groups, including tenured faculty and student government. I’m a writer and editor at NASA-JSC, and I still use her tips when giving presentations at work.
Post-graduation, we remained in touch. As a friend, she was so sweet and supportive. I loved hearing all about her textbook-writing projects. She told me about the ups and downs of potty training her puppy, shared her beautiful daughter’s milestones, and we even shared ghost stories one time. I’ll never forget the message she sent after I got married in 2011 saying, “Congratulations! I think you’ve really chosen a winner because I saw on his facebook page that he’s a ‘Lord of the Rings’ fan.”
I’m glad that I never hesitated to tell her that she was my hero. I’m devastated at losing her, and it will be a long time before my tears dry up. I loved her dearly. But her legacy lives on in all the wonderful memories. Every time I write a story, look up something in my AP Stylebook, win an award or earn a byline in a prestigious publication, I think of her. And just when I thought I’d never see her again, I had a dream of her a few nights ago. In it, I cried at the sight of her radiant, smiling face and told her, “It’s so good to see you. I think of you all the time.” And she said, “And I’m so glad to hear it.”
Contributed by NEESHA HOSEIN
UHCL Alumna, communication major
Technical Writer/Editor, ITAMS
Graphics | Writing and Editing | Document Scanning
NASA Johnson Space Center
When I re-enrolled at my alma mater, the University of Houston-Clear Lake, earlier this year to pursue a teacher certification in secondary social studies, one of the first things I did was go see Dr. Ashley Packard, a former professor of mine.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to because she was on medical leave. A colleague of Dr. Packard’s, another one of my instructors from my undergrad years, later told me Dr. Packard was battling lung cancer much to my shock and disbelief.
Dr. Packard lost her valiant battle on November 13.
I took Dr. Packard for Media Law and Mass Media and Society. She was very serious and passionate about the content she taught. She challenged my classmates and me to be critical thinkers and stewards of ethics rather than let us get our grades and move on, knowing a lot of us will have careers in the media. She was a cherished member of the UHCL family, one we will miss dearly.
I credit Dr. Packard for being one of those who helped me realize my lifelong dream of becoming a journalist. It was fitting that after I walked across the stage during my graduation from UHCL eight years ago, she gave me a hug and words of encouragement. Who would’ve thought that was the last time I saw her?
My condolences to her family, her friends, her peers in academia and her students.
Thank you and goodbye, Dr. Packard. May you rest in paradise.
Contributed by JOHN DAVID SUAYAN
BA, Communication – UHCL
I wish that I had a lot of great stories about Dr. Packard, but the truth is that she passed away far too soon for me to know her the way I had hoped. I thought there would be plenty of time to get to know her better as I neared graduation, graduated and became UHCL alumna. She was my absolute favorite UHCL professor – the only one I ever nominated for the Minnie Stevens Piper Award. She was also my adviser.
I came to UHCL quite by accident. I was just going to get an associate degree and be done, but a professor at community college suggested that I continue and pursue “anything in communication.” I met with a recruiter at UH Main Campus. I use the term “recruiter” very loosely because his attitude was apparent that he wasn’t interested in my recruitment. I was very discouraged and unenthusiastically started Googling “University of Phoenix” and “WGU Texas.”
It was during that quest that I happened upon UHCL’s communication program. I requested more information, and less than one minute later, my phone rang – of course it was Dr. Packard. She told me all about UHCL and the communication program. She seemed very excited for me to enroll and told me how to go about it. What a difference! A few weeks later I was sitting in her media law class.
There was something about her that elicited respect and esteem. I profoundly admired her for her humor and intellect. She was proof that it is not necessary to be tall of stature or mighty of voice to command presence. I did well in her class because I valued her opinion of my work.
When I envisioned confirming my graduation requirements and celebrating graduation, I envisioned her smiling face being proud of me. Unfortunately, she fell ill before I applied for graduation, and I wept during her moment of silence at my graduation.
My deepest, heartfelt condolences go out to her family and friends because I feel only an infinitesimal amount of their pain by missing out on the friendship I envisioned having with her once we were no longer pupil and teacher.
Contributed by ANNA WRIGHT
BA, Communication – UHCL
As a proud Alumni of UHCL, I’m honored to give a tribute for one of the most influential professors of my academic career. Dr. Packard inspired me to excel both in my academic and professional career. Her profound knowledge and the high expectations she had for her students, were a driving force to push the boundaries for quintessential education. Dr. Packard left a legacy at UHCL and for many of us she represents a pillar of strength, intelligence and courage. Ashley will be dearly missed.
Contributed by ANGELA BOLTON
BA, Communication – UHCL
Click here to read about the scholarship created in memory of Ashley Packard.
