The opportunity to be a student
in Dr. Allen Hoey’s creative
writing class completely
changed the way I look at the
world. He dedicated his life to
educating young adults, and in
the end, he left a lasting
impact.
My very first day in class, I
walked away with a valuable
lesson: look deeper than just
the words on the paper; search
for a meaning hidden behind
the message. I understood that
once I learned to do that, I
would have learned poetry and
the concept of writing.
Allen made students feel at
home in the classroom. He
made himself easily approachable.
Allen was not just a professor
– he treated his students
as friends.
Going into my third year as a
college student, I learned that
many professors consider
teaching simply a job, and their
concern for their students ends
as soon as the class is over.
With Allen, it was different. He
took time to invite his students
to book readings outside of
class, was there for us whenever
we needed him, and never
turned us away when we asked
for advice.
Every morning he started
class by giving a writing exercise,
where the topics were
rather simple. Once, he asked
us to describe the table at
which we were sitting. We
were supposed to go into detail
that showed the object in a different,
original light. I began
generating creative thoughts I
never knew I was capable of.
Allen was a phenomenal
writer and did not hesitate to
pass down his secrets to his
students. He was the true definition
of an educator: I walked
away from every single class
having learned something new.
I fell in love with the writing
of Ernest Hemingway because
of the way Allen taught me to
read his work. Now, with
everything I do and everything
I observe, I’m constantly
searching for the hidden meaning.
Life has become so much
more meaningful, and my surroundings
have become so
much more beautiful.
After taking Allen’s class I
learned to appreciate the simple
things in life, and I understand
that there is a reason
behind everything that happens
and everything that is. To be
given the opportunity to meet
such a beautiful, caring person,
who gives off such an amazing
vibe, is truly a blessing.
I was anticipating Allen’s
upcoming reading of his new
novel, which was about to be
published, when I received
news of his passing. I began
wiping tears from my face in
complete shock. I was used to
waking up every day and reading
his opinions about politics
and such. His death did not hit
me until the posts stopped.
Anyone who had the opportunity
to ever meet Allen knew,
from the starting gate, the type
of person he was. A fiveminute
conversation with him
could impact a person’s view
of the world.
I can honestly say that Bucks
is not been the same without
his presence, and anyone who
had the blessing of having him
as a teacher can understand
why.