I was very disappointed to learn of John Jenke's dismissal in last Friday's Daily("Assistant IR director departs suddenly"). As the program assistant at the Program in International Relations from 1994 to 1998 I had the opportunity to witness first-hand John's profound impact on Tufts students.
For years, his office in Cabot 605 has been the starting point for first and second year Tufts students considering majoring in International Relations. IR is the largest major at Tufts and at times the line of students spilled out into the hallway. But even those who hadn't met him yet generally hung in because they had heard that he was worth the wait. John would always take the time to actively engage students in taking a strategic view of their time at Tufts.
I have a feeling that there are many Tufts students who can, and hopefully will, tell their own stories about how John shaped their Tufts experience simply through his thoughtful, sometimes tough, conversation. Many immediately rose to the challenge of his style and returned again and again. Students came not only to talk over world events, but also looking for academic advice and, especially, career planning as graduation approached. Why? Students sought John out because he didn't just dispense advice; in fact, he rarely did so. Instead, he engaged students in debate, encouraging and even provoking them into thinking critically about whatever it was that they had come to see him about.
I watched more than one student leave John's office defensive, even affronted, at John's relentless questioning: why study IR, apply for a particular internship, pursue that job opportunity? What did they want to learn or achieve, and how could this major, internship, or job help them to reach those goals? These same students were always back within days, or hours, the questions percolating, eager to resume the discussion with a better understanding and sense of themselves.
How unfortunate that future Tufts students will not have the opportunity to benefit from John's experience and exceptional abilities.
Anne Sauer
Assistant Archivist
