Submitted by Shannon Galbraith Kent ’98, Thomas More faculty

• “She was an amazing teacher… I still tell her jokes from O. Chem.” 
• “Dr. Hicks certainly contributed to my learning and provided me the chemistry foundation that still supports me in my profession!” 
• “Loved, loved, loved her… amazing teacher and person” 
• “Dr. Hicks was such a wonderful educator…. She made an unenthusiastic chemistry student like me truly understand and care about the subject”. 
• “A stellar human being and superb educator. So very grateful for her skills as a teacher and chemist, and even more grateful for her kind heart. Rest in peace, dear Dr. Hicks” 

These were just some of the comments that were shared online this week by fellow friends and alumni, who – like myself – had the very great fortune of being taught by Dr. Ann Hicks as a student at Thomas More. 

Now, as a biology professor at Thomas More, I take great honor in doing my best to help continue the tradition of care and craft for educating – that was shown early to me by the example of Dr. Hicks. In fact, in talking this week with another alum and TMU professor, Dr. Joe Qualls – he said that it was Ann’s ability to take really complex organic chemistry content and explain it in accessible ways, that made the greatest impact on him…. so much so, that he has also modeled a lot of his own teaching style based on the example Dr. Hicks showed us. 

It was this balanced combination of brilliance and intelligence, with kindness and compassion, coupled with a very perceptive ability in how to reach students, and also having a real interest in having FUN and – while expecting her students to work hard – also having the humility to realize her chemistry students were also young adults just trying their best to figure out their path in life. Ann loved her students and wanted them to excel – she especially wanted them to enjoy life and find their passion. 

And to me and many other Thomas More women majoring in the sciences, she served as a tangible representative that roles in science did exist for us – that not all scientists were men and, if Dr. Hicks could achieve this, then… there…. Just…. Might… be a way for us, too. In the 1990s, it still was not common to see many female scientists – Ann showed all of us that path did actually exist. 

Ann’s ability to engage, support, and encourage students did not end in the classroom or in the lab. In fact, there is a whole group of alumni who knew Dr. Hicks – not because of her teaching and research excellence – but because of her loyal and vocal support for the Thomas More Women’s Basketball Team. As a former member of the team, I had the distinct honor of seeing “The Three Musketeers” in action – this included Ann, Maria McLean, and Judy Harris. They not only attended all of our home games, but they traveled to many away games – including to VIRGINIA! And, these were not the “sit on your hands” type of quiet fans – they were up, they were cheering loudly, and they knew their basketball – so much so, that if one of us had gotten fouled hard or a bad call had been made, they would not be shy in letting the referees know that they just… might… have… missed… that call. 

As I was going over some photos, I came across one that especially resonated with how Ann loved her students. The photo is of Ann, Maria, and Judy in the Thomas More gym… and there is a long paper banner with hand-painted player names and well wishes… the sign was for senior day, which was the last home game for several of us on the team. 

So, let’s put the full picture together… you have a full professor… having received multiple teaching and research awards … who earned a doctorate from Vanderbilt University… in the sciences… in the 1960s… as a woman. She had some serious professional credentials. 

And yet – here she was taking several hours to hand-paint signs for students – this had nothing to do with her own courses, or her research projects, or anything directly related to her own work. She did it because she loved us… and she loved our college community. And, how much we thanked her then – and thank her now. 

After I graduated from Thomas More and completed a master’s program, I had taken a year off and was reviewing some possible PhD programs. I had come to campus and saw Ann and other professors and was just catching up and seeking some advice…. 

I mentioned to Ann that I was interested in a graduate program at Rutgers University in New Jersey and without skipping a beat, she said, “Well, I know a student in that program – let me connect you with her!” So, without knowing anyone in the program, Ann gave me my one personal connection… I was SO incredibly grateful for that – and it was that one connection that led me to staying with her and her roommate during my initial campus visit. … And, during that visit, the student made sure I met a variety of people, got to check out the town, and really got a sense of what it was like to be a student and live there… and it was that wonderful blend of community, care, and scientific curiosity of the students and faculty that was familiar from my Thomas More days – and a big reason why I ultimately chose to enroll in that program. 

…. And given what we know about Ann and the entire Hicks family, is it any surprise that the student that she matched me with… was indeed Polly Hicks – Ann and Vern’s daughter and Don’s sister. 

Dr. Ann Hicks showed us how to support our communities whenever possible, how to live with purpose, how to teach and help others with humility and fun, how to be confident when we doubted ourselves in challenging course content, how to prepare for careers and lives that utilized the content she was an expert in… and in all this, she gave us the gift of believing in ourselves… 

What she did looked so effortless… but as many of us know now… the care, the preparation, and love she gave was full of effort and intentionality… and we were the lucky recipients and continue to carry those gifts with us today. 

So, in Ann’s memory, how can we best honor her life? 

• I suggest that we all laugh and love deeply, 
• That we are kind – and smile as much as we can 
• That we look for ways to help someone feel more confident in a task in which they could really use some reassurance, 
• That we go and cheer on the Thomas More University women’s basketball team
• … and maybe we even surprise a friend or a young person with a hand-painted sign that shows them just how much they are valued. 

On behalf of the students who Ann taught, we share the most sincere and deepest gratitude for the beautiful life she lived…. we will love you forever, Dr. Ann Hicks.

In memory of Dr. Hicks, please click on the link for additional information and the opportunity to contribute to the Dr. Ann Hicks Memorial Scholarship.