The Tripod

On July 5, much loved and well-respected faculty member Lisa Nestor passed away due to cancer. Nestor began teaching here at Trinity in 1999 in the chemistry department.

The impact of her loss has been felt throughout the Trinity community, by faculty and students in and out of her department. When Professor of Chemistry Janet Morrison had to take over for Nestor in the spring when she became ill, Morrison was particularly struck by how much she did on a daily basis. Professor of Mathematics David Cruz-Uribe was similarly struck by Nestor's impact on the school, saying that "though chemistry is looking to find another lab coordinator, it is safe to say that she will never be replaced."

In her capacity as a teacher, Nestor stood out in her dedication to her students. Close friend and fellow faculty member Professor Timothy Curran referred to Nestor's ability to make chemistry accessible to students. "Chemistry can be scary to a lot of students, but Lisa had the ability to dissolve that fear. She did it by showing her students that they could succeed in studying chemistry," Curran said. "She had the ability to see things from a student's perspective, and to then construct lessons and experiments that would help her students to learn the topics that gave them trouble." Nathan Sell '10 also praised Nestor's skills as a teacher. "Professor Nestor was one of the most amazing teachers I have ever had," he said. "Her enthusiasm about the subject she taught was infectious and I believe she could make anyone understand chemistry." 

Cruz-Uribe said Nestor "worked very hard to insure that minority students would succeed in introductory chemistry, thereby insuring that they stayed on tract for many majors." Along these lines, Nestor started the Supplemental Instruction program at Trinity, a program aimed towards minority students and designed to improve retention in the sciences and encourage academic achievement. Trinity Alum Chase Anderson '07 served with Nestor as a co-panelist on the Academic Honor Council. In spite of the ease of losing the "human element" during trials with such serious possible outcomes, Anderson said, "That human element was never lost on [Professor] Nestor. In hearings and in personal interactions, caring, compassion and humor were her defining characteristics."

Professor Nestor was particularly appreciated in her capacities as an introductory chemistry teacher. "When she was here," said Curran, "I did not worry about our introductory chemistry sequence, I knew it was in good hands." Nestor had an open door policy towards her students to provide extra help. Morrison said that students considered her as "both a teacher and a friend." Beth Gromisch '09 expressed this sentiment as well, saying, "She wasn't just there to help you with your lab -- she made sure you knew what you were doing, and was always there to help you." Sell added, "She was always helpful and cared about how you were doing both in the class and how you were doing. I only had her for one semester but I will never forget the effect she had on my work, and my academic career."

Curran noted that "she was very close to a lot of faculty, not just in Chemistry." Cruz-Uribe referred to Nestor as "open and friendly, and manifested what can only be described as old-fashioned Southern charm and hospitality." Philosophy Professor Maurice Wade described her as generous, with a good heart, and with the happiness of others always in mind. "Lisa enjoyed people enjoying themselves and enjoyed giving them reason to be happy," he said, adding, "Lisa had a great sense of humor as well. Her appreciation of good humor is a memory that will stay with me for the rest of my life. The excessive seriousness that we academics are all too often guilty of needs the antidote of the kind of sense of humor that Lisa had." Morrison called her selfless. Mathematics Professor Mary Sandoval echoed such sentiments. "I am heartbroken that such a thing could happen to such a wonderful person."

Throughout the Trinity community, Nestor will be missed for more than her contributions as a teacher -- she will also be missed as a friend. Curran taught with Nestor at The College of the Holy Cross before both came to Trinity. "It is strange not to have her here," Curran said. "Her death is a terrible loss." Wade added, "I feel exceedingly fortunate that I got to know Lisa and that I was able to count her among my friends." Trinity will hold a memorial service in Professor Nestor's honor on September 16 at two o'clock in the chapel with a reception to follow.

Additional reporting by Remy Renault contributed to this article.

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