When people around campus hear the name “Lee Herrick”, many think of their composition or poetry instructor. Some think of an author of the poetry book, “This Many Miles from Desire” (2007) and “Gardening secrets of the dead” (soon to be published).
Lee Herrick was born in South Korea, soon to be adopted at 10 months old. His comes from a family of educators. After being raised in the bay area and having many inspiring teachers, he majored in English. “English and writing always came naturally to me,” said Herrick. He began teaching at Fresno City College in 1997.
Currently, Lee Herrick was nominated for the Bill F. Stewart Achievement of Excellence Award. This award is within our the State Center of Community Colleges District, of which any college staff member can be nominated. Each nominee must show strong character in their life, such as leadership, innovation, vision, and hard work. This year, Herrick was not just nominated, but he was also honored with the award. Herrick was surprised at the honor. “It was a true honor to be nominated. There are a lot of amazing people in this district and on this campus…I am very grateful for the award.”
Not only has he shown such excellence to the district, but to his students. Carleigh Takemoto, a student of Herrick’s in 2007 and 2009 (now at Fresno State as an English major minoring in Creative Writing with an emphasis in poetry) agrees saying, “Mr. Herrick is absolutely one of the finest educators and the most talented poet I have ever had the pleasure of knowing…if I could become an instructor and a poet with half the presence and gift that he has, I would consider myself very lucky.”
Herrick’s favorite part of teaching is seeing students thrive. “Being a small part of student’s lives as they are heading in new good directions. And I mean that. It’s a small part, my involvement in their lives, as they take one class from me,” said Herrick. “Just being a part of watching students going where they want to go and being a part of that.”
Throughout the years Herrick has been influencing student’s lives. He may never know how many he has affected with his great gift of teaching and strong morals and character. Takemoto shares, “I can say with complete honesty that Lee Herrick has changed the course of my life. After I turned in my first poem for the poetry class I took from him, he invited me into his office and told me to become an English major. And I did…I cannot thank Lee Herrick enough for helping me find my passion. He has no idea what an impact he has made on my life.”
What’s in Herrick’s future? “…to keep experiencing life as fully and gratefully I can. For me that is important and teaching is an important part of that,” stated Herrick. “I want to keep writing. Keep teaching. Keep growing.”
