Although its been 30 years, I’ll never forget taking Dr. Angelou’s class in Race, Politics and Literature. Dr. Angelou walked and without saying one word wrote “homo sum humani nihil a me alienum puto” (Terence) on the chalk board. Translated as “I am human therefore nothing human can be alien to me,” what a life-long lesson to learn on day one! Dr. Angelou was an American Hero. Her rich legacy of literature and teachings will live on forever to inspire current and future generations to have the courage to make a positive difference in our world.
Lisa Gelzer
Dr. Angelou was one of the greatest women to grace God’s earth. It was an honor and privilege to learn and study under her wings. Oh, I can’t forget the food. I loved her from the moment I met her, and she helped me to be wiser and to pose important questions about the world and myself. God brought her into my life, and I am thankful to have known her, to have talked with her, to have felt her touch, and to have been the recipient of her smile. Rest in peace, you phenomenal woman!
Lakashanna
Maya has been such an inspiration to me and countless others; providing strength and wisdom that only she could so eloquently instill. I send my condolences to her family. She will truly be missed. Her Legacy lives on forever.
betsy tuttle newhall
Many years ago, I took the first class you taught at Wake Forest. You were unlike any teacher I had had ever had- you challenged my ideas, and my long term opinions. You became an inspiration for life long learning, grace under pressure, and sheer survival. You became my friend. You made the world and wake forest a much better place and taught me about compassion , tolerance, and grace. I carry your wisdom with me every day.
Thank you.
May God bless and keep your family.
btn UG 1984/BGSM 1988
Karen Woodley Thompson
I am so very sad by this news. My payers for peace and comfort at your loss.
Dear Maya, you have saved my life so many times over. As a young teen in Michigan in the 1970’s, I read “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” As a survivor of sexual abuse as a child, this book soothed my soul and made my perspective of the world softer; I was not alone; I just wish I was as brave as you are.
May you rest in peace my dear soul.
“If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities.”-Maya Angelou
Andrew Snorton
Dr. Angelou is the epitome of stewardship, class, care, and concern for the greater good while placing on you the challenge and call to do better and to be better. While I did not have the privilege of taking one of her classes, I did meet and interact with her while a student. Her presence alone is enough to make you want to be the best resource and person you can be.
I feel extremely fortunate to have seen her poetry reading this past October (2013) during Homecoming. Even while getting around in a wheelchair, her sharpness and soundness of mind and spirit is still ever-present.
A number of students, faculty, staff, administration, and alumni will definitely miss her physical presence; even greater is the local, regional, national, and international impact she makes (I speak in the present as spiritually and through her work, her presence is still here) on so many people. Thank you for all you did while here, and thank you for your impact in the days ahead.
Kimberly Lucas
Dr. Angelou you will be greatly missed. My heart is heavy right now but I understand your work is needed somewhere else now. Even though you are not of this world anymore you words of wisdom you shared with so many will longer in our minds forever! A job well done!
-Kimberly Lucas
David Mills
To me Maya Angelou was always the lady in the purple hat at the inauguration. Then I met her and was struck by her sparkling earthy humor, by her play with words. It happened that the day I met her was right after the Boston bombings, and it was national Haiku day. So she immediately challenged me to write her a Haiku. I wrote one about the bombings, and one to her about how I felt on meeting her. She responded with one to me, which I treasure.She was the human being we all should strive to be.
Winnie Dunham
Dear Mother Maya,
I have admired and loved you all my life, and though I never had a chance to meet you, whenever I read your work, or listen to an interview you gave, it always felt like you were speaking directly to me. What wisdom, love and light you have given to humanity. Your passing will leave a tremendous void, but in remembering you we shall strive to fill it. May God lift up your family with lot’s and lot’s of love and light. I look forward to meeting your precious soul someday. Sweet dreams…
Winnie Dunham
Robert David
Maya Angelou has touched my life through her words of true poetry and genuine prose. Her life is a manifestation of triumph. Her life implicates a life that we must fully embrace; a life that is filled with obstacles which we must face head on; a life that is an inspiration of truth, of power and endurance. She is a leader, she is a writer, she is a mother, she is a legacy we must continue following. “When you learn, teach. When you get, give. That my friends is what gives your story purpose and meaning.”-Maya Angelou. Rest In Peace.
Toni Newman
Dr. Angelou inspired me to be myself. She said don’t hide and be authentic. I did become authentic through her words I RISE. She was amazing and I thank her for doing interview with me after my memoir was published. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/toni-newman/dr-maya-angelou_b_1545689.html
I loved her for the kind words and her love for equality.
Toni Newman
Tina Kissell
The loss of such a powerful thinker will impact us all. Her memories and words will teach us forever.
Tate Young
I was an incoming freshman at Wake Forest in the Fall of 1973, and all of us had to read Ms. Angelou’s book “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” for freshman orientation. I had never heard of her before but once I started reading the book, I found her writing and story to be compelling. The world has lost a great person in her.
Yongama Njisane
When I think of Maya Angelou (and many other inspiring leaders like her) I am reminded of living a life full of purpose. You fulfilled your purpose mama and in that you served humanity excellently. We were and continue to be enriched by your words, life experiences, wisdom and courage.
The news of your passing caught us offguard in South Africa. While still nursing the wound inflicted upon us by the passing of that courageous soldier we all loved and called ‘tata Madiba’, we find ourselves yet again engulfed by the stench of death. However, in all of that, we sing with gratitude because had it not been for you and many others, we wouldn’t be where we are today.
We salute you then for a life well-lived and a purpose-fulfilled. We say soar you bird of the skies and return to the world of your forefathers. May the heavens open their doors and receive you with a hero’s welcome, like the hero that you are. Whilst you may no longer be with us in body, we carry the presence of your words in our hearts and are grateful that our lives were touched by yours.
Rest in Peace mama.
Yongama Njisane, South Africa.
Shane Harris
A piece of advice Maya Angelou gave me years ago, which has served me well and often ever since–and in so many contexts: “When people show you who they are, believe them.”
Betsy Chapman
On behalf of the Office of Parent Programs, we mourn the passing of Dr. Angelou and celebrate her life. She was a remarkable woman, larger than life. We are eternally grateful that she gave her time and talents to Wake Forest. All of us are the richer for it.
James E Canada
May the peace that only God can give be with you.
Joyce Taylor Shepherd
How heavy the hurt and heartache I feel at the news of this beloved giant of a woman’s passing. I was in my twenties when I stumbled upon her great autobiography “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings”. It was deeply moving and inspirIng Some forty years later I proudly say I’ve read all of her books and articles by her that I could find. To her personal family, university family, friends and fans around the world, “great is the loss of this treasured lady….yet will she live FOREVER. I know she will be welcomed to Paradise to Rest in Peace!
Diane E James
Maya Angelou was a ray of sunshine…May she rest in peace!
Rev. Diana F. (Furniss) Scholl
I was at Wake before Maya Angelou became a professor there but I was always so proud that she had come to be part of our wonderful school.
I encountered her later when I was in Chapel Hill and doing a women’s studies class in literature. She opened my eyes to the unique stories that black women had to tell about their lives, and our shared lives in the south, and it changed my life. As I finished my seminary training at Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA, I had the privilege of being taught by the Rev. Dr. Katie Cannon–first black woman ordained in the Presbyterian church and the first black woman to be a tenured professor in any US seminary. Katie was my mentor and her theological writing from the stories of black women was critical to hundreds of future faith leaders.
For me, Katie stood on Maya’s shoulders as do we all: black and white, male and female, and all others. Thank you Maya for all you have given; thank you Wake Forest for giving her an academic home; and thank you God for the gift of Maya’s life.
Although its been 30 years, I’ll never forget taking Dr. Angelou’s class in Race, Politics and Literature. Dr. Angelou walked and without saying one word wrote “homo sum humani nihil a me alienum puto” (Terence) on the chalk board. Translated as “I am human therefore nothing human can be alien to me,” what a life-long lesson to learn on day one! Dr. Angelou was an American Hero. Her rich legacy of literature and teachings will live on forever to inspire current and future generations to have the courage to make a positive difference in our world.
Dr. Angelou was one of the greatest women to grace God’s earth. It was an honor and privilege to learn and study under her wings. Oh, I can’t forget the food. I loved her from the moment I met her, and she helped me to be wiser and to pose important questions about the world and myself. God brought her into my life, and I am thankful to have known her, to have talked with her, to have felt her touch, and to have been the recipient of her smile. Rest in peace, you phenomenal woman!
Maya has been such an inspiration to me and countless others; providing strength and wisdom that only she could so eloquently instill. I send my condolences to her family. She will truly be missed. Her Legacy lives on forever.
Many years ago, I took the first class you taught at Wake Forest. You were unlike any teacher I had had ever had- you challenged my ideas, and my long term opinions. You became an inspiration for life long learning, grace under pressure, and sheer survival. You became my friend. You made the world and wake forest a much better place and taught me about compassion , tolerance, and grace. I carry your wisdom with me every day.
Thank you.
May God bless and keep your family.
btn UG 1984/BGSM 1988
I am so very sad by this news. My payers for peace and comfort at your loss.
Dear Maya, you have saved my life so many times over. As a young teen in Michigan in the 1970’s, I read “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” As a survivor of sexual abuse as a child, this book soothed my soul and made my perspective of the world softer; I was not alone; I just wish I was as brave as you are.
May you rest in peace my dear soul.
“If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities.”-Maya Angelou
Dr. Angelou is the epitome of stewardship, class, care, and concern for the greater good while placing on you the challenge and call to do better and to be better. While I did not have the privilege of taking one of her classes, I did meet and interact with her while a student. Her presence alone is enough to make you want to be the best resource and person you can be.
I feel extremely fortunate to have seen her poetry reading this past October (2013) during Homecoming. Even while getting around in a wheelchair, her sharpness and soundness of mind and spirit is still ever-present.
A number of students, faculty, staff, administration, and alumni will definitely miss her physical presence; even greater is the local, regional, national, and international impact she makes (I speak in the present as spiritually and through her work, her presence is still here) on so many people. Thank you for all you did while here, and thank you for your impact in the days ahead.
Dr. Angelou you will be greatly missed. My heart is heavy right now but I understand your work is needed somewhere else now. Even though you are not of this world anymore you words of wisdom you shared with so many will longer in our minds forever! A job well done!
-Kimberly Lucas
To me Maya Angelou was always the lady in the purple hat at the inauguration. Then I met her and was struck by her sparkling earthy humor, by her play with words. It happened that the day I met her was right after the Boston bombings, and it was national Haiku day. So she immediately challenged me to write her a Haiku. I wrote one about the bombings, and one to her about how I felt on meeting her. She responded with one to me, which I treasure.She was the human being we all should strive to be.
Dear Mother Maya,
I have admired and loved you all my life, and though I never had a chance to meet you, whenever I read your work, or listen to an interview you gave, it always felt like you were speaking directly to me. What wisdom, love and light you have given to humanity. Your passing will leave a tremendous void, but in remembering you we shall strive to fill it. May God lift up your family with lot’s and lot’s of love and light. I look forward to meeting your precious soul someday. Sweet dreams…
Winnie Dunham
Maya Angelou has touched my life through her words of true poetry and genuine prose. Her life is a manifestation of triumph. Her life implicates a life that we must fully embrace; a life that is filled with obstacles which we must face head on; a life that is an inspiration of truth, of power and endurance. She is a leader, she is a writer, she is a mother, she is a legacy we must continue following. “When you learn, teach. When you get, give. That my friends is what gives your story purpose and meaning.”-Maya Angelou. Rest In Peace.
Dr. Angelou inspired me to be myself. She said don’t hide and be authentic. I did become authentic through her words I RISE. She was amazing and I thank her for doing interview with me after my memoir was published.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/toni-newman/dr-maya-angelou_b_1545689.html
I loved her for the kind words and her love for equality.
Toni Newman
The loss of such a powerful thinker will impact us all. Her memories and words will teach us forever.
I was an incoming freshman at Wake Forest in the Fall of 1973, and all of us had to read Ms. Angelou’s book “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” for freshman orientation. I had never heard of her before but once I started reading the book, I found her writing and story to be compelling. The world has lost a great person in her.
When I think of Maya Angelou (and many other inspiring leaders like her) I am reminded of living a life full of purpose. You fulfilled your purpose mama and in that you served humanity excellently. We were and continue to be enriched by your words, life experiences, wisdom and courage.
The news of your passing caught us offguard in South Africa. While still nursing the wound inflicted upon us by the passing of that courageous soldier we all loved and called ‘tata Madiba’, we find ourselves yet again engulfed by the stench of death. However, in all of that, we sing with gratitude because had it not been for you and many others, we wouldn’t be where we are today.
We salute you then for a life well-lived and a purpose-fulfilled. We say soar you bird of the skies and return to the world of your forefathers. May the heavens open their doors and receive you with a hero’s welcome, like the hero that you are. Whilst you may no longer be with us in body, we carry the presence of your words in our hearts and are grateful that our lives were touched by yours.
Rest in Peace mama.
Yongama Njisane, South Africa.
A piece of advice Maya Angelou gave me years ago, which has served me well and often ever since–and in so many contexts: “When people show you who they are, believe them.”
On behalf of the Office of Parent Programs, we mourn the passing of Dr. Angelou and celebrate her life. She was a remarkable woman, larger than life. We are eternally grateful that she gave her time and talents to Wake Forest. All of us are the richer for it.
May the peace that only God can give be with you.
How heavy the hurt and heartache I feel at the news of this beloved giant of a woman’s passing. I was in my twenties when I stumbled upon her great autobiography “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings”. It was deeply moving and inspirIng Some forty years later I proudly say I’ve read all of her books and articles by her that I could find. To her personal family, university family, friends and fans around the world, “great is the loss of this treasured lady….yet will she live FOREVER. I know she will be welcomed to Paradise to Rest in Peace!
Maya Angelou was a ray of sunshine…May she rest in peace!
I was at Wake before Maya Angelou became a professor there but I was always so proud that she had come to be part of our wonderful school.
I encountered her later when I was in Chapel Hill and doing a women’s studies class in literature. She opened my eyes to the unique stories that black women had to tell about their lives, and our shared lives in the south, and it changed my life. As I finished my seminary training at Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA, I had the privilege of being taught by the Rev. Dr. Katie Cannon–first black woman ordained in the Presbyterian church and the first black woman to be a tenured professor in any US seminary. Katie was my mentor and her theological writing from the stories of black women was critical to hundreds of future faith leaders.
For me, Katie stood on Maya’s shoulders as do we all: black and white, male and female, and all others. Thank you Maya for all you have given; thank you Wake Forest for giving her an academic home; and thank you God for the gift of Maya’s life.
Diana