I was Shona's graduate teaching assistant for World Civilizations during her very first semester at UMKC. It was also my first semester as a GTA and my second semester in graduate school. Even though we were both pretty green and trying to figure things out at UMKC, we had a great collaboration and the fruits of working with Shona still nourish me to this day. By never hesitating to ask me how I thought things were going in the class and seeking (and taking seriously) my input on various lessons and lesson plans, Shona modeled for me a collaborative approach to teaching that I still use to this day.

I was also a student of Shona's in various graduate seminars. I still have a fascination with the Black Death and her memorable lesson on how not to do research in history is a pedagogical technique I still use.

Granted, Shona's influence on this young historian was formative, but what I really miss is her easy smile. That smile was genuine and contagious.

All my best to Shona's family and friends.