Jennifer Schuberth

Julie was the ED of College Possible when I met her. When I explained that I was part of a group of educators trying to start a new kind of college, she said, “We need this. How can I help?” And then she not only helped but was one of our champions. She introduced us to all her people, but most importantly, she trusted us enough to connect us with her students in College Possible. And when we ran a summer college course at David Douglas high school, she came to the graduation and celebrated with the students and their families. She believed in them, and us, and in me. It seemed that in her eyes, there was no doubt that you would do the things you were talking about– you just had to go out and do them.

And when I told her I had cancer, she said, “Fuck cancer.” And then she checked in on me, and when I was able, we went out to lunch.

Our last exchange was about potassium and steroids and the Supreme Court and my teenager. We didn’t get to go out to lunch, but I sent her part of a poem:

We have twelve clocks in the house

still it strikes me there’s not enough time

you go out to the kitchen 

get chocolate milk for your spindly son

but when you get back

he has grown too old for chocolate milk

demands beer girls revolution

And she texted back: “What a wonderful text. Thank you.”

Thank you Julie. There wasn’t enough time, but when we meet again, lunch is on me.