My name is Alicia De Leon. I am currently a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Utah. My journey into higher education was ignited, bridged, critically enhanced/supported by my Mentor/Friend/Academic Family which is Morris F. Johnson III. TODAY I FIND OUT HE HAS PASSED (August 12, 2015) and I my tears, colored by laughter overflow tonight. Morris has been nudging at me in my dreams...I know he's visited and tonight was critical because after reading a chapter in the book titled Subversive Dialogues I turned on the TV. Jimmy Fallon had a special musical guest: Yolanda Adams. Her performance began at the time I turned on the TV and my memory went directly to Morris. He recorded a cassette tape with gospel music that was empowering, loving, inspirational. Morris recorded the song titled, "Open My Heart" by Yolanda Adams. After her performance tonight I googled Morris's whereabouts---thinking I would be unsuccessful as I had been in the last 3years. Yet tonight I immediately found his whereabouts, In Spirit...VISITING ME in my dreams, thoughts, and now thru music DURING THE MOST CRITICAL MOMENTS OF MY DOCTORAL PROGRAM---cheering me on, giving love, making me laugh via the spiritual realm. Wow. I am so grateful to have engaged with him on a personal and professional level for 2years while I went to Pheonix College and obtained my AA degree. Ive never forgotten him and searched for him during my doctoral program to tell him where I am in my journey. We lost touch a few months before I obtained my MA at UCLA in 2008. My heart is heavy as well. When I read his sister's, Karen Johnson, remarks of his words--"I still got dip in my hip, pep in my step, and glide in my stride" I lauged aloud because that's his swagger I experienced when he was the Dean and Interim President at Phoenix College. He brightened my days and lightened up my load by listening how I experienced racism/microaggressions in higher ed. I am very thankful and blessed to have had him in my life journey. Sending peace and love to his family.
Morris Quotes:
"MacDaddy Mo"
"You want a Koolaid Life or a Champagne Life?"