Aku nulis karangan iki kanggo bu Collins. Kanca-kanca alumni Ohio University uga padha nulis. Kabeh karangan kuwi mau dijilid dadi buku lan dihadiahke kagem bu Collins ngepasi penerbitan bukune "Indonesia Betrayed" utawa "Indonesia Dikhianati" Senin, 15 Desember wingi.
Dr. Elizabeth F. Collins has left a deep impression in me. She, probably without her knowing it, taught me to be generous and to belief myself.
During my four-year stay in Athens, Ohio (1997 – 2001), I saw Dr. Collins give. Her home was always open for meetings and entertaining, including her refrigerator and pantry, even when she wasn’t home. I can’t count how many times I attended meetings with important and influential guests from all corners of the world with the backdrop being Dr. Collins’s living room. Seldom were joyful gatherings--a welcoming for new students, graduation celebrations, halal bihalal, birthday parties, and just get-togethers (girls’ cooking out)--not enjoyed in the place Dr. Collins created. She gave us a sanctuary, which means a lot when you are far from home.
Spring Break 1998, Dr. Collins was to attend a conference in Washington, DC. She invited Mila and me to go with her. She drove us all and pointed out interesting things along the way. In DC she let us stay with her and suggested that we see the city instead of attending her talk. For me, a poor student from Salatiga, the time was magic. Now that I work in DC, I remember what I saw then--I see the city in a different way. I see things in the light of Dr. Collins’s generosity.
The summer of the same year, Mila and I travelled to San Francisco. We were again welcomed by Dr. Collins, this time to, her home in Berkley. We started our excursion every morning ready for a long exciting day, and arrived home in the evening exhausted; but what I remember most vividly is Dr. Collins showing us how to make apple sauce.
When I married my husband, who had himself attended several events in Dr. Collins’s home, I told him that I wanted our home to be like hers. Paul could not agree more.
Other than her generosity, Dr. Collins saw the potential in a student and helped her to fulfill it. She believed that everyone was capable of cultivating her talenta, and to subsequently work for the betterment of others. I have seen how Dr. Collins helped numbers of students achieve dreams either for academic life or otherwise. She provided help and encouragement.
In 1999 I applied to the masters’ program in the Southeast Asian Studies. For personal reasons, I applied quite late. I talked to Dr. Collins, who was the director of the program at the time, about the possibility of late entry. She said that she could not promise anything but that she would see what was possible. I was accepted into the program. I could not thank her enough. Anyone who has dealt with university bureaucracy will understand from this story the human quality Dr. Collins brought to Southeast Asian Studies program.
July 2001, while I was preparing a thesis proposal, I received an offer to teach Indonesian in Johns Hopkins University. I was thrilled and worried at the same time. I did want to finish my thesis, but university job offer was too precious to pass up. Dr. Collins told me to take my comprehensive exams right away. In August 2001, I was moved to Washington, DC.
There have been a lot of people I have crossed paths with. Some pass just within notice. Some are memorable. And some play a part in what you become. Dr. Elizabeth F. Collins is one of those in the last category. I know that I can’t really repay her; however, I can hope to follow her example of generosity--of opinion, of what I give, and whom I take to heart.
Dr. Collins, kindly accept my deepest gratitude. Also, congratulations for your new book.
Best wishes,
Nona Kurniani Norris
Coordinator of Southeast Asian Languages Program, Lecturer of Indonesian Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies Johns Hopkins University Washington, DC
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