Guest Book Submission | Karen Laughlin Legacy

37 submissions

Admin Approval	Email Address	Message	User	Created	Completed	Changed	Operations
Yes		Karen was a compelling communicator and great listener. She led with equanimity and humor. She was never small. She had confidence in those of us who worked with her and gave us support and room to grow so we could be the best we could be. Lessons Karen exemplified: Life is richest if balanced. Life is uncertain; embrace people you encounter with passion and kindness. Life is a gift; open it with care and joy every day. I miss her but my aspirations to continue her legacy sustain me in my grief.	Anonymous	Thu, 09/02/2021 - 06:57 PM	Thu, 09/02/2021 - 06:57 PM	Tue, 09/07/2021 - 09:10 AM	View
Yes	jleedds1545@gmail.com	I first met Karen about 10 years ago when she shared all the wonderful things FSU was doing with their Undergraduate Study programs. Her love for the students and FSU were evident just by her smile as she described her work. Research Symposiums, dedication of the Honors and Scholars Building, ballgames in the President's box, meeting with the Presidential Scholars and all our council meetings were filled with her contagious passion. She was a dear friend, forever missed, always a part of my FSU.	Anonymous	Mon, 08/30/2021 - 09:30 PM	Mon, 08/30/2021 - 09:30 PM	Tue, 08/31/2021 - 01:41 PM	View
Yes	dethomas@fsu.edu	While I did not work closely with Karen, I worked under her leadership during her last several years as Dean of Undergraduate Studies. I remember a question she asked me during my first interview with her: "What book are you currently reading?" Out of all the questions I have ever had in a professional interview, I remember this one the most. Karen recognized the potential and power of human growth and development, and made it clear that she was an advocate of this for everyone.	Anonymous	Wed, 08/25/2021 - 09:38 AM	Wed, 08/25/2021 - 09:38 AM	Tue, 08/31/2021 - 01:41 PM	View
Yes	nraimondi@fsu.edu	I had the pleasure of working side-by-side with Karen for almost 20 years. She was so much more than a supervisor....she was a mentor, a friend, and an advocate for all of us. She lit up any room she entered and her laugh was contagious. I always marveled at how easily she could handle the most intense situations with her Zen-inspired calmness and positive outlook. She was warm, caring and genuine to everyone she met. She was a beautiful soul and we are all better for having known her!	Anonymous	Tue, 08/24/2021 - 01:53 PM	Tue, 08/24/2021 - 01:53 PM	Tue, 08/24/2021 - 01:54 PM	View
Yes	tchapin@fsu.edu	Karen was a sometimes steely, but always caring leader. There are some individuals that make things happen through passion, perseverance, and a generous smile. Karen was one of those; a real agent of good at FSU. I had the honor of working with Karen, and learned a great deal from her experience and expertise. We also shared our own personal stories with each other, celebrating life's ups with laughter and shedding tears over life's downs. I still miss her to this day.	Anonymous	Tue, 08/24/2021 - 10:27 AM	Tue, 08/24/2021 - 10:27 AM	Tue, 08/24/2021 - 01:54 PM	View
Yes	dfarr@dedman.fsu.edu	Karen, Thank you for all you have done for our university. Your impact positively affected each of our lives. You have been a blessing to me and every person who had the fortune to spend any time at all with you. You certainly are missed but will be remembered always.	Anonymous	Tue, 08/24/2021 - 09:37 AM	Tue, 08/24/2021 - 09:37 AM	Tue, 08/24/2021 - 01:54 PM	View
Yes	ajtillman@fsu.edu	From my initial interview three years ago, I will never forget Karen's tender heart and warm approach. She was empowering, full of integrity, and I was only bolstered with confidence by simply being in her presence. She will forever be missed by many, and the lives she has touched will always attest to the determination and love she had for our institution, faculty & staff, and our students.	Anonymous	Mon, 08/23/2021 - 03:50 PM	Mon, 08/23/2021 - 03:50 PM	Tue, 08/24/2021 - 01:58 PM	View
Yes	fiberworks@hotmail.com	From the time we met, Karen and I shared ideas and dreams for a program that would provide a unique FSU experience for a to be determined number of students. Many conversations led to the creation of Presidential Scholars. Not only is it Karen’s legacy, the program has attracted a stellar group of students whose leadership has impacted FSU on many levels. What an honor it has been to be involved from the inception of Presidential Scholars, a program that will live on and honor Karen’s memory.	Anonymous	Mon, 08/23/2021 - 01:55 PM	Mon, 08/23/2021 - 01:55 PM	Tue, 08/24/2021 - 01:59 PM	View
Yes		I am forever grateful I had the opportunity to meet, know, and work for Karen. Her trust, sincere care, leadership, and humor are some of the many things I miss the most. I also miss our discussions regarding athletics and our battle of being fellow introverted extroverts. She was one of a kind and made us all feel special. Her ability to connect with everyone she met, was an incredible gift. Karen always put students first, and that is something we can all strive to do daily in our work.	Anonymous	Mon, 08/23/2021 - 12:40 PM	Mon, 08/23/2021 - 12:40 PM	Mon, 08/23/2021 - 01:56 PM	View
Yes	kestrel.strickland@fsu.edu	Karen was one of the first people I had the privilege of meeting in Undergraduate Studies. I quickly noticed how calm, down-to-earth, and sincere she was. The conversations that we shared were uplifting and reassuring. As others have mentioned, she made sure to let us all know just how much we are appreciated and that we belong here. I was deeply saddened to hear of her loss, although I am grateful to have experienced her warm, gracious leadership during my first year in my current position.	Anonymous	Mon, 08/23/2021 - 12:36 PM	Mon, 08/23/2021 - 12:36 PM	Mon, 08/23/2021 - 01:55 PM	View
Yes	shockin@fsu.edu	My wife worked for Karen for a number of years, and she was always so nice to me when I stopped by. When I started working for Undergraduate Studies myself, I was always impressed by how much she clearly cared about Florida State University and its student population. My own personal memory of her is just one time she was passing through WJB and saw me, and we sat under the stairs on the ground floor and chatted about work and life. She was incredibly insightful and personable.	Anonymous	Mon, 08/23/2021 - 12:18 PM	Mon, 08/23/2021 - 12:18 PM	Mon, 08/23/2021 - 12:19 PM	View
Yes	almyers@fsu.edu	The day I met Karen changed my life. She added years to my life and brightness to my outlook. She was so erudite, calm, confident and nice. We hit it off immediately. I have a million things to say about her but have to watch out for my mental health when it comes to Karen. Her death devastated me. I miss her terribly.	Anonymous	Mon, 08/23/2021 - 11:38 AM	Mon, 08/23/2021 - 11:38 AM	Mon, 08/23/2021 - 11:38 AM	View
Yes	scontente@fsu.edu	Karen was an amazing dean and leader, but one thing I valued most was her belief in people and her encouragement of all of us to grow into ourselves. She often spoke about Imposter Syndrome with students and colleagues alike. She reminded us that we belonged at FSU, that we were capable and our contribution valuable. Bearing witness to Karen’s accomplishments, her strength, and her kindness, it was clear that she was no imposter. I miss her and feel lucky to have known her and been her friend.	Anonymous	Mon, 08/23/2021 - 11:20 AM	Mon, 08/23/2021 - 11:20 AM	Mon, 08/23/2021 - 11:22 AM	View
Yes	shamon@fsu.edu	Karen was my boss, mentor, and friend for many years. She was smart, gracious, funny, kind, had a great laugh and a ready smile -- she made everyone feel heard and appreciated. She valued differences of opinion to further her understanding and inform her perspective. She had a lovely way with words and carried herself with elegance. I miss her dearly but carry her spirit forward serving the undergraduates she loved so well.	Anonymous	Mon, 08/23/2021 - 09:43 AM	Mon, 08/23/2021 - 09:43 AM	Tue, 08/24/2021 - 01:23 PM	View
Yes	lhogan@fsu.edu	In life, there are a few people who glow when they talk about their lives and beliefs. Karen Laughln was one of those people. I had the pleasure of working with her for many years in many capacities. She had an innate ability to identify how your strengths could contribute to the University success and could very persuasive in getting you to meet that challenge. I appreciate the lessons I learned from her and miss the opportunity to talk with her. I especially miss her laugh. Thanks, Karen.	Anonymous	Sat, 08/21/2021 - 10:43 PM	Sat, 08/21/2021 - 10:43 PM	Sun, 08/22/2021 - 01:52 PM	View
No	almuers@fsu.edu	This must be 25 characters long or it doesn’t work	Anonymous	Sat, 08/21/2021 - 04:01 PM	Sat, 08/21/2021 - 04:01 PM	Sat, 08/21/2021 - 04:01 PM	View
Yes		I had the pleasure of meeting her on several occasions. She was always calm and respectful. She always gave me her full attention and made me feel appreciated as a member of FSU staff. She will be missed by everyone who was fortunate to know her.	jg11z	Thu, 07/22/2021 - 11:39 AM	Thu, 07/22/2021 - 11:39 AM	Thu, 07/22/2021 - 11:41 AM	View