My father, an NIU alumnus, suggested that I take one of Dr. Bonomo’s classes since I’d decided to become an English major. My Dad took one of Dr. Bonomo’s classes when he was in undergrad, and he had always described working with him fondly. He always told me about how much he learned from that class.
I’ll never forget the first time I met Dr. Bonomo. I was feeling a bit shy because I wasn’t sure how to tell him I’d heard about him from my Dad, so I just sat down and waited for the class to begin. As soon as the class period began, Dr. Bonomo asked us, “Does everyone have the capability to be evil?” My jaw dropped. What was usually a laidback first day in other classes had become a philosophical question that was actually opened to be discussed freely and without judgment in class. The rest is history.
Dr. Bonomo wasn’t afraid to ask the tough questions, and he definitely wasn’t afraid to let students try to answer them in their own unique ways. Bonomo’s conversational teaching style works especially well for students who value creative freedom and expression. In creative writing classes, that is a lifeline. Beyond his extraordinary teaching, Dr. Bonomo is a kind and caring person. He consistently works to nurture each student’s unique mind and writing abilities, and he lets us know he cares.
During my time in ENGL 304, Writing About the Arts, I was struggling with self-doubt about my work. I began to think that maybe no one cared enough to hear what I had to say. I was about to write a critique on my favorite band’s recent branding and image decisions for Bonomo’s class, and I went to him to discuss my doubts about the essay, about it being too much. I was shocked when Bonomo leaned forward with a smile and said, “I can’t wait to read it.” Coming from Bonomo, that shouldn’t be a surprise. But I was so moved that he cared about the topic, the nuance, my work. This is one of those many instances in his classes that still inspires me to make bold decisions in my writing, one of those moments a young artist and student will never forget.
So, as I’m moving towards graduation, I’m looking back on all the people who helped me during this trying time. Dr. Bonomo stands out as extraordinary above the rest. I’ve done my best to write about how he has contributed to my success, but I’m left to recognize that it’s inadequate to just sit here and talk about my memories of him. He’d know that I’d need a hell of a lot more space and time, and I’d hope that he wouldn’t be able to wait to read what I had to say.
So, to Dr. Bonomo: thank you for caring. We students see it, and it might not always be expressed, but your efforts never go unappreciated. What you do touches lives, makes minds grow, lets artists thrive. Thank you for being unique and letting us students use our voices and experiences to guide our education. Thank you for letting us be artists and individuals. Thank you for letting us be worried and find confidence through our writing. Thank you.
