Ken Ito
Back in 1966 a lot of Veterans ( Vietnam War and other global conflicts around the world )
returned home and attended school on the GI Bill. I was 22 years old and the oldest student in the English 101 class and was having a very hard time. Mr. Connor took the time to tutor me in his office during his office hours and gave me extra credit for work outside of class. I passed with a C and was relived I did not flunk and the VA cut off my
GI Bill tuition. Mr. Connor told me to take World Lit. 151 in the Spring semester and I enjoyed his classes. Again, he gave me extra credit for attending Mr. Yasunari Kawabata (Nobel Prize for translating the Tale of Genji) classes, 2 times a week for 3 months. As a former student in Mr. Kawabata classes it made a difference later in my career working with the Japanese government. I think Mr. Connor gave me a B and I finally completed my 2 required courses. Hooray!!
Looking back, Mr. Connor gave me the knowledge, motivation and confidence to be successful in college and in life. He also used literature as a vehicle to bring me back to the human condition. After graduation, I got engaged and invited Mr. and Mrs. Connor to our wedding. He asked if his visiting sister could attend and it was a pleasure to see her. I was also happy Mr. Connor could attend the Imperial ceremony at the Japanese Consulate where I received the "Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette" and we both enjoyed the special sake from Niigata, Japan.
I will never forget Mr. Connor and he will be greatly missed. Mahalo.
Ken Ito