Memories of Joe Kling

Joe was a great friend and mentor to me and a truly wonderful colleague. He made the Government Department and St. Lawrence better, more supportive, kinder places. He helped so many young faculty to feel they had found a home, and to grow and thrive in their work. He was a gifted teacher and scholar who was loved by generations of SLU students. His intellectual passion and integrity, warmth, good humor, and deep concern for those around him shined through everything he did. I will never forget all he did for me, and he will always have a place in my heart. Karl Schonberg, Professor of Government
A wonderful colleague. He listened thoughtfully and advised carefully. We could disagree with respect, a quality we should all value. More than anything, Joe was a friend. Brian Chezum, Professor of Economics
Joe was one of the first faculty members I met at SLU when I arrived. He was a wonderful mentor to me in the First Year Program. I also found him to be a remarkable balance of intellectual curiosity and deep compassion. I benefitted enormously from his advice on how to be an advisor and teacher of first year students, and he was instrumental in inspiring me to become the Associate Dean of the First Year. Best wishes to your family, Joe. You will be missed. Jennifer Hansen, Professor of Philosophy
Thanks Joe for all the great discussions and debates we had about the challenges facing this country and the world. You had an enormous influence on me and SLU. Won't ever forget the incredible dance party at your home when we literally rolled up the rug in the living room of your home. David T. Lloyd, Professor Emeritus, History Department
Dr. Kling taught me how to write. I remember getting an email during his intro class after our first assignments were turned in, asking me to come in and he spent over an hour walking me through the assignment and teaching me how to write. I was ever so grateful and he was such an amazing professor to have, especially so early on during my college years. I hope you rest in peace, thank you ever so much. Ahyoung, Class of 2018
Joe Kling went out of his way to help junior colleagues. His mentorship made all the difference to a friend of mine who had taught in my department and in the First Year Program in the early 1990’s. While I never got to work with Joe on committees or in collaborative teaching, he readily stepped in to manage my case for promotion to full professor. And as was clear in conversations with him, Joe brought a broad and sophisticated perspective to this rural campus. I am still reacting to the news of Joe's passing. He has left us too soon, and I’m sorry he didn’t have more time with his family and his many interests. My sincere condolences to Prue and to their daughters and grandchildren. Dorothy Limouze, Professor, Art & Art History
Away from Canton out here in Colorado, I only recently learned the sad news of Joe’s passing. He and I came together in the early years of the FYP, during the time of its making and shaping, the time when those of us engaged in that work—and it really was work—knew always that we were transforming the shape and substance of a St. Lawrence education. We were making powerful change. Often, too, we saw that opposition from colleagues was heated—I recall more than one faculty meeting involving Joe when tempers really flared. I would still hold nonetheless that even those who disputed with Joe over the FYP never doubted, and always respected, his unwavering commitment to St. Lawrence. It was my pleasure, my joy, and my honor to teach with multiple partners in the FYP. That said, the two years I taught with Joe in a three-person team were the very best teaching experiences, and the most effective ones too, that I had during my time in the FYP. This was wholly because of Joe: his interests, his deep commitments, his caring for what we were about with our students. Each and every day. He was entirely a joyful teaching partner, and it was among my greatest pleasures (of a very many there) to have taught with and learned from him. Joe Kling embodied the very best of St. Lawrence—he was a singular soul. Bob Thacker, Retired Professor Canadian Studies and English
Joe was one of the most important people in my life. My thoughts go out to Prue and his children. Even after he retired, he kept in touch, always curious about the department and university and always rooting for me to thrive. I have many precious memories of Joe as teacher, mentor, and friend. He was all at once generous, rigorous, kind, trustworthy, and an excellent listener. I miss him very much. Grace Huang, Professor of Political Science