Dr. Karl Stockhausen Memorial

Dr. Karl Stockhausen Memorial Student Award, AUC

Dear Bill and Carole Jean,

I hope that this brief email finds you both well enjoying the gift and promise of a new year.  I begin each work day looking at a framed photo that I have of Karl and three of his colleagues as they greeted new students to the island and offered them hope, support and encouragement.  He remains with all of us who were touched by his passion, courage, wisdom and good humor through the passage of time

I am pleased to report that the current student members  of the Van Wormer Student Judiciary committee have named an award after Karl which will honor a student selected each semester, through a process of peer review, who best exemplifies the spirit of professionalism and service to others.  Karl was a member of the Van Wormer Judiciary Committee during his time with us on island so I find it particularly heart-warming that the students who learned of his passing sought to honor the important lessons that he taught all of us.

The first award will be presented on Friday, January 15, 2010 during our White Coat Ceremony.  At White Coat, we will be officially welcoming 94 new first semester students who have joined us during January 2010, and honoring the 38 members of our soon departing 5^th Semester class who will be inducted into our Honor and Service Society (Alpha Omega Phi).  Karl was also a member of Alpha Omega Phi and joined us if memory serves during a January class many years ago so it seems somehow very fitting that the first Karl Stockhausen Memorial Student Award will be presented this Friday.

Karl remains very much with us at AUC; please know I think of you both often and wish you continued healing.

Best,
Ron

Ronald J. Testa, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Student Affairs
Professor of Behavioral Sciences
American University of the Caribbean
School of Medicine
Sint Maarten, Netherlands, Antilles

The Dr. Dale Van Wormer Student Judiciary Committee (VWJC) is a student run organization that deals with student-to-student conflicts and infractions of the AUC Honor Code.  Their goal is to promote an environment at AUC that is not only conducive to learning, but is trustworthy, respectable, and is in accordance with the ethics and values set forth by the medical community.  Members consist of students in the second to fifth semesters.

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Mercyhurst College  Erie, PA

In Karl’s memory a new single-man rowing shell was dedicated at Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA, on October 2, 2009.  Karl was an avid rower during his undergraduate years at Clemson University in Clemson, SC.  Ted Nagorsen, Karl’s good buddy from grade school days in Northville, is coach of the men’s and women’s rowing team at Mercyhurst.  Mercyhurst is a small Catholic liberal arts college that has had recent success at the Henley Royal Regatta in Henley, (London) England.  The team beat much bigger crews from Ireland, Germany and Great Britain in the Visitor’s Challenge Cup.  This boat will be used by students with dreams of competing in future Olympic events – very fitting for the young doctor with comparably lofty dreams.

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Red River Gorge, Kentucky

In Karl’s memory a group of climbers cruised down to the Red River Gorge climbing area from September 20-22, and left a set of scribed quick-draws and a chalk mural, dedicated to Karl, on Creepshow.  Karl was an avid climber and Creepshow was his last project and nemesis route that he had never finished red-pointing (climbing to the top without falling). Over the three days a few routes were put away, and LOTS of Miguel’s pizza (the local climber hangout and best pizza and beta spot in the world).  We told lots of climbers of Karl’s passing, filled in a few details about his life, and recounted plenty of wonderful memories, definitely a trip that Karl would have enjoyed.

In the spring we are planning on possibly putting up permanent draws and a small plaque memorializing Karl. Stay tuned.