Chons Da, Our Dear Amy!
This January we say see you soon and we will miss you dearly to one of the most memorable and sweetest persons in our community, the amazing Amy Lillwall. She’s moving on to make the world fantastic for those at the University of Lincoln, but we couldn’t let her go without recognizing her unique contribution to Falmouth and to FalWriting. If you want to know more about the latter, don’t miss her portrait of the academic as a student, this interview with the author of The Biggerers, her first letter for the Nest collaborative project or the letter from her grandfather which she shared in this post.
Two years ago, when I first joined Falmouth Uni, Amy was the first person of the staff team I met. She went out of her way to meet me before I even started the job. We would be teaching together and I wanted to get settled into the role as soon as possible. Ever since then, through her support as friend and colleague, as co-editor of FalWriting, as fellow researcher, as principal writer for my adventure with On The Hill, as author and leader, Amy has been an invaluable source of cheer, advice and support. The utmost hardworking professional with ever the kindest word and with an unwavering commitment to her writing and supporting that of others, Amy has been a light for us all here in Falmouth.
You see, I couldn’t let this moment go without marking it.
So a few weeks ago I asked around for messages from our students and staff about our dear Amy. As we settle to a new pace with her friendship supporting out community, we wanted to make sure she knew how much we value her. This is a collection of those.
– Sherezade Garcia Rangel
“Dear Amy, you light up every room you walk into. Lucky Lincoln! Stay in touch’.”
“The lovely Amy. The happiest person on Woodlane campus with a smile that will not be forgotten. We’ll miss you. ”
“I’m gutted that Amy’s leaving! I started in the department on the same day that she arrived, and we got on straight away. She has tremendous energy, positivity and generosity of spirit, is one of the most genuine and decent people I’ve met, and I will miss her. ”
“Amy was my lecturer for two modules during Year 1. She made my first year enjoyable and helped make me feel at ease with being in a new, scary place. She’s an incredible lecturer, she’s excited to teach and have debates with us. She is one of the nicest people I have ever met. I’ll always be slightly sad I only had her as my lecturer during first year. I wish her all the best in her future endeavours and I hope we can interact again in the future.”
“I am so going to miss Amy’s positivity and sense of humour at Falmouth, she is such a hardworking team member and warm presence, and it’s going to be very hard to replace her. At the same time, I’m happy she has found a post that takes her closer to her family, and know she is going to be just as beloved there. Good luck Amy, and come back to see us soon!
See you shortly!”
“Amy you have been such a great colleague - we love you, you have been a source of enthusiasm, energy and good humour, good luck in your next adventure, you will have a marvellous time XXX.”
“Really, what to say about the superstar that is our Amy? Is it praise enough to say that she’s as good a lecturer as she is a writer? (i.e. amazing!).
Amy is without doubt one of the best educators I’ve ever had the privilege of studying under. Helpful, hilarious, and highly knowledgeable in every area of her craft. Amy has helped me and my peers build our confidence and sharpen our skills and she’s never once shied away from going the extra mile to support us and help us realise our potential. So many of us wouldn’t be where we are without her. Though she’ll be sorely missed, she’s left an indelible mark on the school of writing and journalism and on the lives of all the students who’ve passed through it during her tenure. The Lilwall legacy will live on. Amy is an inspiration and a legend. Just don’t expect her not to do a sarcastic slow-clap when you turn up late and hungover to a seminar – she’s only human.”
“Amy is the kind of person you hope will be in the office when you pop your head in. She’s warm-hearted, funny, driven, super smart, a brilliant teacher and a beast of a writer, but you can’t hate her for it because she’s so bloody lovely. Lincoln don’t know how lucky they are! All the best lovely Amy, I know you’re just going to keep making the world a brighter place. ”
“The Bluetones sang that ’no challenge should be faced without a little charm and a lot of style.’ Amy brings both charm and style to the party and it’s been my pleasure to see her address each challenge that arrives at her desk with a great deal of both. We’ll miss her greatly!”
“Amy was the first person to make me feel really comfortable at this uni. She has encouraged me so much to be more confident in my writing and in myself, I think she’s brilliant and I can’t wait to see what she does next!”
“Hi Amy,
Good luck in Lincoln. I so enjoyed working with you on Craft of Writing, and writing short prose together. I know you will wow them at Lincoln, just like you wowed all of us and the students. We will miss you. Best wishes.”
“My six year old said of Amy – ‘the moment I saw her face I knew she was the kindest person you work with.’
Not to disparage my other colleagues in the slightest, but Amy is one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. We will miss her warmth so much, but I’m so pleased she’ll be staying in touch with us! We’ll see her again!”
“Good luck Amy I will miss you! But you can be our Lincoln correspondent. Lots of love.”
for our dear Amy, from all of us at FalWriting