In the last few weeks, the English department has been collecting reminisces from alumni about Carolyn Soule. Since her passing, Carolyn has been deeply missed, especially by her former students.
“I was one of Carolyn’s minions in the English department. I loved working there with her, listening to the hubbub around me as I worked the old mimeograph machine” – Neysa Jensen (’84)
“Carolyn was such a wonderful person, an enduring figure in the halls of the English department! Rarely did I pass by the department office without her asking me to fetch some book down from some shelf. 🙂 George was my advisor and the two were a remarkable duo. I remember Carolyn (dearly) chastising George for speaking gruffly toward me after I caused a printing mishap. Lovely people and I miss them both.” – Matt Borland (’95)
“Carleton was not an easy place for me. Internally, I struggled to adapt to the academic environment and felt like an imposter among peers who came from very privileged backgrounds while I made weekend trips home to help my parents run our small motel–a place that felt like a world away from chocolate chip cookies at Sayles and frisbee on the bald spot. My work study job landed me in an office with Carolyn three days a week. I made copies and coffee as I soaked up her warmth, wit and wisdom. Sharing a space with her made me feel rooted and gave me so much comfort during a challenging time. She was sharp but had no ego, she was kind but certainly not a pushover and most interestingly to me, she was a woman who had really lived. She also rocked a neckerchief like nobody’s business.” – Roma Patel (’10)
“Carolyn is always included whenever I think back on my fondest memories of several years spent in Laird. I was lucky enough to work with her in the office as part of my work-study program, making copies, running errands, typing up any number of Word documents for the English Department. … I loved being able to stop by the office whenever I was at Laird, even years later on sporadic returns to campus after graduation, and be welcomed with kindness, warmth, and always enjoyable conversation.” – Robert K. Brown (’91)
“My first few trimesters at Carleton I didn’t know what I wanted to do when it came to choosing a major for myself, but by what appeared to be happenstance, I kept taking classes in the English department. It was such a welcoming place, full of bright, friendly people, like Carolyn Soule. Ultimately, I declared for English, and that resulted in me working for the department on several occasions, and, consequently, with Carolyn. She was welcoming, friendly, kind, and cared deeply for the community. We talked about her garden and spending precious days in the summer sunshine. And while our shared time together was short, I will always remember it fondly. May she rest in peace knowing she was loved by our community.” – Henry Southwick (’15)
“I remember when I passed my Comps project, she was the first person to congratulate me!” – Gordon Lipton (’06)
“I’m glad I got to work with Carolyn. She was lovely and funny–all that her other “minions” say about her feels so true to my own experience.” –– Aditya Menon (’13)
“She was always a cheery, bright and warm presence in the English office, especially on cold grey days. I often stopped in just to chat with her–sometimes both she and Barb Jenkins would be in at the same time, which was double the fun. Even after graduation, I often saw her when I climbed up to second Laird during reunions, and she would catch me up on various faculty and on departmental news. I remember telling her in 1993 that I had, just by chance, seen George when he was on Jeopardy a couple of years earlier, and her delight in knowing that another department alum had seen it. My heart goes out to her family on her loss.” – Kara Keeling (’83)
“Such fond memories of hanging out with her while making photocopies in Laird in 2009-10. Towards the end of each day she’s say ‘ok, time to head home and watch Jeopardy! with my husband!’ Such a good person.” – Alex Gibson (’10)
It’s hard for me to imagine Laird and the whole Carleton English Department without Carolyn. She was unfailingly kind, supportive, and witty. I valued the chance to work with her in the department office, and she was such an institution — I loved her stories about former professors and thrilling seniors-vs-the-world softball games. I even wrote a profile about her in my Creative Nonfiction class senior year. Recently, I looked back on some emails we exchanged after I graduated. She wrote to me in 2011: “I’m well and happy to be still working for the Department. When George’s health wasn’t the best, a good friend said, ‘Don’t quit your job. You’ll appreciate it even more.’ That’s been good advice.” She loved being part of it — and we were all lucky to have her in our lives. – Allie Morgan (’09)
“Carolyn’s energy, wit, enthusiasm for new things (managing the English department’s website with verve and care, as well as contributing her own fun photos!), and genuine enjoyment at working with others made her a real delight to have as a colleague and client. She is really missed.” – Matt Ryan (’96)
“I find it impossible to think of my time at Carleton as an English major and not think of Carolyn… Carolyn embodied everything I loved about our department; a constant twinkle in her eye, a love for books and literature and a desire to see everyone succeed. I am so grateful I got to know her during my time as a student and as a 5th year intern during the 2013-14 academic year. My love and condolences to her family during this time.” – Shavera Seneviratne (’13)
“I worked a few times as Carolyn’s minion over breaks. She gave me an aspiration to end my career as she did, with a life full of laughter, gardening, travel, family that loved her, and a sunlit office where she helped provide a center of gravity for the entire English department. My sincere condolences on her loss.” – Katie Jumbe (’04)
“I got to know Carolyn when I was a Carleton student, and then enjoyed her friendship during the time I was on the faculty. During my third year teaching, I rented the Soules’ house while they were off in London, so I have always sort of thought of myself as family. Carolyn had a great sense of humor, and was a great welcoming presence from her desk in the English Department. I remember laughing a lot with her. I also remember some good times with Kate, and I send my best wishes to her and prayers for her good health and happiness.” – Linda Clader (’68)
“Carolyn was a joy to be around, and a great hostess! She and George welcomed me into their home many times and were particularly gracious during our trip to London in 1974. I’ll never forget the favor they did me or Yorkshire pudding in Muswell Hill. A toast to their reunion!” – Doug Warren (’75)
“I was lucky enough to work for Carolyn, and she set the bar for every boss I’ve had since. And, frankly, for the person I hope to one day be. Carolyn was kind, sharp, humble, opinionated, good-natured, devoted, pragmatic, imaginative, and just an all-around good egg (a compliment I know she would appreciate). From her attendance at Carleton to her work at Carleton, to her partnership with George… she *was* Carleton to me. I remember falling asleep while “studying” in the English office (which was greeted with a gentle cough behind me), dinners at her house (the secret to a good Bolognese is milk!), and helping her put her garden to bed. I treasure every one of those memories. My heart goes out to her daughter, of whom she was immensely proud, as well as her extended family, friends, neighbors, and the Carleton community who loved her as I did.” – Ann Marson (’97)
