Emails from Dan
Memories
Hallie Hottle
It's hard to believe it's been 14 years since I met Dr. Lehn, and it's hard to believe news of his death startled me as it did. All these years later, Dr. Lehn continues to be a bright spot in my memories of Coe College.
14 years ago I entered Coe College as a wide-eyed freshman, the first in my family to go to college, ready to start a work-study position with Dr. Lehn. I could not have known my luck at the time, having been connected with a professor who would be a great teacher and advisor my next 4 years, and beyond.
When I felt the call to seminary my last year at Coe, it was Dr. Lehn I first went to. I worried he would be disappointed in my decision of seminary, already having begun the process of application for psychology graduate programs. Instead, he was encouraging and enthusiastic. That conversation remains in my memory one of the most important I had in my discernment process that year. I point to it often in my story of how I got to where I am. I will be forever grateful for his affirmation.
I wrote to Dr. Lehn after my first year at Princeton Seminary, thanking him for what I realized was a unique undergrad learning experience. It was only then, when professors weren't as willing to sit and talk about all my musings, that I realized how unusual Dr. Lehn's incredible patience and his passion were, both for his subject matter but also for his students. I am glad I sent that note.
I will forever be indebted to Dr. Lehn, and am so grateful to have been one of the many students touched by his teaching. I will continue to try to emulate his patience and his passion in all I do. Many prayers to his family, friends, colleagues (who I also remember fondly!), and students.
Lindsay Meade
I loved having Dr. Lehn as a professor, but I think even more I loved how amazing and encouraging he was out of the classroom. He always managed to be walking into Stuart Hall each morning as I was running down First Avenue, less than half a mile left of my 5k for the day. He always had encouraging words to help me push through that last half mile, and I think that's something I'll remember more readily than the things he actually taught me in the classroom.
Serena (Wells) Meyer
When I arrived at Coe I had no idea what my major would be. Taking classes with Dr. Lehn made it quite easy to decide where I should focus my time at Coe. Dr. Lehn was a professor who challenged me and believed in me. He was kind and took time to explain when I struggled with concepts. I loved being in his classes and am forever grateful for his instruction. His memory lives on in all of his students and he is missed.
Serena (Wells) Meyer
Class of 1999
Ethan Wykert
On the first day of classes during the spring of my Junior year, Dr. Lehn stopped me in the hallway just as I was heading into class. He had spotted me from a distance and wanted to chat about my Advanced Experimental Psychology course. That class hadn’t met yet, but I was enrolled and planning to do research with him and he asked me if I was excited.
I said “Oh yeah,” and planned to keep walking, thinking that was the end of our exchange. But he promptly launched into a description of several ongoing studies and their surprising findings. The hallway was quickly emptying and I was stuck in the odd position of needing to get to class to avoid angering one professor while needing to stay put to avoid offending another. So I held my ground and listened to his animated explanations for several minutes, and he showed no sign of slowing down.
Finally, Dr. Marrs came out of the classroom I was supposed to be in and yelled over to Dr. Lehn. He said something to the effect of me being his student right now and comically telling Dr. Lehn to go “find his own students.” Never one to turn away from a sarcastic exchange, Dr. Lehn told me “Oh, you’re in one of Bob’s classes right now? Well in that case, I’ll keep talking.” The three of us had a nice laugh, and then Dr. Lehn was off with a pat on my shoulder. Dr. Marrs seemed completely unsurprised by the exchange, and I probably shouldn’t have been either.
Amy Swanson
About a week ago, I woke up to news I never thought I'd hear. A friend texted me asking how I was doing. Thinking he meant my health (I'd been sick for two weeks), I texted him I was pretty good. He told me to check my email. I started getting a sinking feeling in my stomach. I received an email with the subject "Tragic News". With shaky hands and breath, I opened it and read. Dan Lehn, a psychology professor at my college, had passed away due to a bicycle accident. He died close to his home and doing something he loved.
The psychology department took a blow, but all of campus felt his loss. He was a friendly face around campus. Those that knew Dan knew him for his wit, bad jokes, friendly personality, and passion for teaching. I only had him for one class, and I didn't do too well, but Dan was part of the reason I decided to switch my major to psychology. His passion for teaching came through in class and his face would light up when a topic excited him. He also had a passion and determination for all his students. Dan went the extra mile and met with students for homework help or to catch up and check in. I would run into him on campus and no matter what he was doing or where he was going, he'd stop me and ask how things were and what psychology classes I'd be taking the next semester.
Even though I was only his student in one class freshman year, and he wasn't my adviser, Dan would still meet with me and give me advice. He cared about all students, not just his. Dan liked to talk to people around campus and get to know everyone better. I may have received a C in his intro class, but he taught me a lot. From his class, I learned that sometimes when you try your hardest, you still fall short, and that's fine. A little humor and bad cheesy jokes make lectures worth listening to, but can only be handled in small doses. And lastly, I learned from Dan that if you're struggling, let a professor know and they will be more than willing and happy to help.
On the same day he died, a campus gathering was held. After crying in my dorm room for a few hours, I went. Many faculty and students gathered to remember Dan and share some funny stories. Dan still made us laugh, though he wasn't the one telling the jokes this time. Seeing all the people in the room made me realize how many people Dan touched. He made an impact on everyone that knew him. His memory will live on with his family and all those that talked to him.
R.I.P. Dan Lehn
It's hard to believe it's been 14 years since I met Dr. Lehn, and it's hard to believe news of his death startled me as it did. All these years later, Dr. Lehn continues to be a bright spot in my memories of Coe College.
14 years ago I entered Coe College as a wide-eyed freshman, the first in my family to go to college, ready to start a work-study position with Dr. Lehn. I could not have known my luck at the time, having been connected with a professor who would be a great teacher and advisor my next 4 years, and beyond.
When I felt the call to seminary my last year at Coe, it was Dr. Lehn I first went to. I worried he would be disappointed in my decision of seminary, already having begun the process of application for psychology graduate programs. Instead, he was encouraging and enthusiastic. That conversation remains in my memory one of the most important I had in my discernment process that year. I point to it often in my story of how I got to where I am. I will be forever grateful for his affirmation.
I wrote to Dr. Lehn after my first year at Princeton Seminary, thanking him for what I realized was a unique undergrad learning experience. It was only then, when professors weren't as willing to sit and talk about all my musings, that I realized how unusual Dr. Lehn's incredible patience and his passion were, both for his subject matter but also for his students. I am glad I sent that note.
I will forever be indebted to Dr. Lehn, and am so grateful to have been one of the many students touched by his teaching. I will continue to try to emulate his patience and his passion in all I do. Many prayers to his family, friends, colleagues (who I also remember fondly!), and students.
Lindsay Meade
I loved having Dr. Lehn as a professor, but I think even more I loved how amazing and encouraging he was out of the classroom. He always managed to be walking into Stuart Hall each morning as I was running down First Avenue, less than half a mile left of my 5k for the day. He always had encouraging words to help me push through that last half mile, and I think that's something I'll remember more readily than the things he actually taught me in the classroom.
Serena (Wells) Meyer
When I arrived at Coe I had no idea what my major would be. Taking classes with Dr. Lehn made it quite easy to decide where I should focus my time at Coe. Dr. Lehn was a professor who challenged me and believed in me. He was kind and took time to explain when I struggled with concepts. I loved being in his classes and am forever grateful for his instruction. His memory lives on in all of his students and he is missed.
Serena (Wells) Meyer
Class of 1999
Ethan Wykert
On the first day of classes during the spring of my Junior year, Dr. Lehn stopped me in the hallway just as I was heading into class. He had spotted me from a distance and wanted to chat about my Advanced Experimental Psychology course. That class hadn’t met yet, but I was enrolled and planning to do research with him and he asked me if I was excited.
I said “Oh yeah,” and planned to keep walking, thinking that was the end of our exchange. But he promptly launched into a description of several ongoing studies and their surprising findings. The hallway was quickly emptying and I was stuck in the odd position of needing to get to class to avoid angering one professor while needing to stay put to avoid offending another. So I held my ground and listened to his animated explanations for several minutes, and he showed no sign of slowing down.
Finally, Dr. Marrs came out of the classroom I was supposed to be in and yelled over to Dr. Lehn. He said something to the effect of me being his student right now and comically telling Dr. Lehn to go “find his own students.” Never one to turn away from a sarcastic exchange, Dr. Lehn told me “Oh, you’re in one of Bob’s classes right now? Well in that case, I’ll keep talking.” The three of us had a nice laugh, and then Dr. Lehn was off with a pat on my shoulder. Dr. Marrs seemed completely unsurprised by the exchange, and I probably shouldn’t have been either.
Amy Swanson
About a week ago, I woke up to news I never thought I'd hear. A friend texted me asking how I was doing. Thinking he meant my health (I'd been sick for two weeks), I texted him I was pretty good. He told me to check my email. I started getting a sinking feeling in my stomach. I received an email with the subject "Tragic News". With shaky hands and breath, I opened it and read. Dan Lehn, a psychology professor at my college, had passed away due to a bicycle accident. He died close to his home and doing something he loved.
The psychology department took a blow, but all of campus felt his loss. He was a friendly face around campus. Those that knew Dan knew him for his wit, bad jokes, friendly personality, and passion for teaching. I only had him for one class, and I didn't do too well, but Dan was part of the reason I decided to switch my major to psychology. His passion for teaching came through in class and his face would light up when a topic excited him. He also had a passion and determination for all his students. Dan went the extra mile and met with students for homework help or to catch up and check in. I would run into him on campus and no matter what he was doing or where he was going, he'd stop me and ask how things were and what psychology classes I'd be taking the next semester.
Even though I was only his student in one class freshman year, and he wasn't my adviser, Dan would still meet with me and give me advice. He cared about all students, not just his. Dan liked to talk to people around campus and get to know everyone better. I may have received a C in his intro class, but he taught me a lot. From his class, I learned that sometimes when you try your hardest, you still fall short, and that's fine. A little humor and bad cheesy jokes make lectures worth listening to, but can only be handled in small doses. And lastly, I learned from Dan that if you're struggling, let a professor know and they will be more than willing and happy to help.
On the same day he died, a campus gathering was held. After crying in my dorm room for a few hours, I went. Many faculty and students gathered to remember Dan and share some funny stories. Dan still made us laugh, though he wasn't the one telling the jokes this time. Seeing all the people in the room made me realize how many people Dan touched. He made an impact on everyone that knew him. His memory will live on with his family and all those that talked to him.
R.I.P. Dan Lehn