Professor Charles Hancock was a friend and a colleague who made a difference in the lives of thousands of people. An internationally known advocate for language teaching, he served as officer for a number of professional associations, including president of the American Council of the Teaching of Foreign Languages. During the period that he was a professor of foreign and second language education (FSLED) in the College of Education at the Ohio State University, he was the advisor to more than 60 PhD students from countries around the world. Dr. Hancock was himself a gifted teacher of French and Spanish and expanded the number of teacher education credential programs to 11, including languages such as Swahili and Arabic. As associate dean in the College of Education and Human Development and director of the Young Scholars Program, he was committed to increase educational opportunities to communities that have historically been excluded from or underrepresented in higher education. He believed like Dr. Martin Luther King in the Beloved Community and his life exemplified “walking the talk.”

As a teacher educator and trainer of trainers, he had a deep and lasting impact on so many of us. As his colleagues and students, we would pass on what we learned from him to our students. He was my mentor, introducing me to the Zambian proverb “Start where you are, but don’t stay there.” Over the years, I have repeated that saying countless times. Even when we encounter the systemic nature and depth of oppression and exploitation, we are encouraged by Dr. Hancock’s example and his life. For those of us who are involved in critical social analysis, this Zambian proverb has shown us that there is hope, despite what we may see and feel. Social change does not proceed in a straight line, but in zig-zags. It is not easy, given the magnitude of inhumanity to work for social transformation. Dr. Hancock’s Zambian proverb is a reminder to us as educators that oppression can be overcome, if we continue to persevere and work for peace with justice. I will truly miss his friendship, counsel, and intuitive insight and advice. His life shows the difference one educator can make in the lives of so many people.

Dr. Charles Hancock (1940-2012), OSU

References

Charles R. Hancock: Obituary. (2012, November 4). The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved from http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dispatch/obituary.aspx?pid=160790618#fbLoggedOut

Dr. Shelley Wong is an Associate Professor in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) and CISA Faculty Fellow with the Center for International Student Access at George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia U.S.A.