Students, friends and family mourn the loss of Elon professor as the community comes together

More than 100 members of the Elon community gathered in tears, laughter and hugs at Numen Lumen on May 8 at 4:30 p.m. to mourn the loss of Jennifer Fish, associate director of Elon’s Teaching Fellows Program. Vis died unexpectedly on the morning of May 7 due to illness.

Fish was known to greet everyone with a smile and drop everything to see who walked into her office. Junior teacher Lindsey Hefty said the program won’t be the same without Fish’s presence.

“She was always there for me, laughing with me, getting me excited for a test or celebrating a life update with me,” Hefty said at the event. “She believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself, and she extended her kindness to everyone who came into her office.”

Hefty said she hopes to honor Fish’s memory by being just like her: by having unconditional love for everyone — even strangers.

Retired director of the Teaching Fellows Program Glenda Crawford said Fish helped her through tough times and left a distinct legacy on campus.

“She was the most cheerful and happy person I have known. She enjoyed life, loved her family and loved Elon – and loved all of you,” Crawford said.

Ben Rogers, a 2019 Elon Teaching Fellows alumnus, attended the meeting and said he wouldn’t be standing in front of the crowd without Fish.

“She kept me close to Elon, she was my rock, she was my Elon mother,” Rogers said. “There was no one on this campus that had the warmth and smile that she had.”

Rogers also echoed other speakers in the crowd in saying that Fish talked about her daughter Samantha all the time.

“I’ve kept in touch with her since I graduated, and she still talked about you all the time, even though she only had three conversations with her,” Rogers said. “She was incredibly proud of all the great things you are doing, and this community here is excited to see all your achievements as you move forward.”

Second-year teacher Leann Beckham is an office assistant in the Teaching Fellow Office. She said Fish was the reason she went to study abroad and was someone who was very supportive.

“She was always your No. 1 cheerleader,” Beckham said. “She wanted to know what was going on with you, and she wanted to encourage you.”

Beckham said the office and trips to BJ’s for snacks won’t be the same.

Lisa Thompson, a previous colleague of Fish, worked with her in the 1990s. They were both young teachers at Smith Elementary School. But just five years ago they came back to Elon within the School of Education.

“She had a reputation as a nice, young teacher,” Thompson said. “Her humor, her laughter and her love for students have carried over into her position at Elon. She has made the Teaching Fellows space a place for all new teachers.”