One part mentor. One part motivator. One part friend till the end.
Arun Elhance was all that — and then some — to Dawn Hopkins (BA ’91, MA ’93).
“I had him as a professor when I was an undergraduate. He enabled me to become a teaching assistant and a research assistant so that I could obtain a master’s degree in economic geography and regional science,” Hopkins says from Tempe, Ariz., where she’s founding president of Inspiritus Yoga Wholisitic Wellness & Training.
“I had the honor and privilege of assisting him with his research on the automotive industry, but more importantly, he was an incredible mentor and friend to me during my graduate years. I am forever grateful for the impact he had on me.
“I must also mention Ben Cox in the Education Department. I obtained my secondary teaching degree in social studies under his thoughtful and encouraging leadership, completing the program while I was in graduate school.
“He taught me how to think, question, be creative and teach from a space of service to others. He taught me how to recognize people’s innate abilities, and bring them forth as a teacher.”
