Faculty, mentor, and friend: UT remembers former theater professor

After over a year of battling cancer, former University of Toledo professor Jennifer Rockwood died on the morning of Tuesday Oct. 6.

Rockwood worked in the UT community for nearly 30 years. In her time here, she served first as a professor in the theater department, then as the associate dean of the College of Innovative Learning and finally as the director of First Year Experience.

After working both at UT and within the surrounding community, Rockwood retired in May 2014. Even then, she still taught part-time, only withdrawing after she became ill.

“She gave so much to UT, it’s unbelievable,” said Jeanne Kusina, a lecturer in the department of Women’s and Gender Studies. “She was a dear colleague and friend. She really gave her all to the University of Toledo.”

Kusina believes Rockwood’s greatest accomplishment during her time at UT was in her work as the director of First Year Experience.

“She helped so many students adjust to life at college and find their way,” Kusina said. “She took these at-risk students who otherwise may have dropped out if they hadn’t made a connection at UT. I think that was probably her greatest legacy.”

Rockwood’s student-centeredness was a trait recognized by many who got the chance to interact with her. During her time at the university, she tended to push students outside of their comfort zones and when it came to the theater, she always gave it her all to push the envelope.

“I would say, she liked to push the boundaries,” wrote Kate Abu-Absi, outreach and retention specialist for the College of Communication and the Arts, in an email interview. “She always wanted to do new and edgy plays and if she wanted to do a play, she made it happen. No question. And she always packed the house.”

Tammy Kinsey, a professor in the Department of Theater and Film, agreed and said Rockwood was always busy working with her students and actors.

“She was really student focused,” Kinsey said. “She was always busy, but she was always working with students. When she was working with theatrical students, she was really interested in connecting with them and trying to get them to make that next step toward greater development.”

Rockwood was not only an employee of UT, but also a member of the community and close to family for many of its members. Abu-Absi wrote that Rockwood became like family to her over time. She met Rockwood in 1989 when she was a student in theater and heard from other members of the department about her.

“Jennifer has been my mentor and director, but more than anything she has been one of my best friends,” Abu-Absi wrote. “I don’t have an older sister, but had one in her. There aren’t enough words to tell you what she meant to me.”

Natalie Gray, a second-year communication major, and her family were close friends with Rockwood. Gray said she was “like a part of her family” her whole life due to how close her mother was with Rockwood.

Gray also said Rockwood was a prominent figure at UT and in the art community because of her creativeness.

“Jennifer made unforgettable contributions to the university and the Toledo community,” Gray said. “If you knew her, you were fortunate enough to come upon one of the most powerful women I have ever met.”

With Rockwood’s passing, Kusina said she is leaving a huge hole in the community that no one else will be able to fill. Specifically, Kusina said a “star-shaped void” would be more fitting to describe the absence of Rockwood’s fabulous personality.

Rockwood had a strong presence that emitted both confidence and leadership, according to Gray.

“Jennifer was a leader and you’ll not likely meet anyone else like her,” Gray said. “Just her presence, and what Jenny says goes.”

In Rockwood’s absence, Abu-Absi believes no matter how or where or when someone met her, they will always remember her.

“If you met Jennifer Rockwood, you would always remember her,” Abu-Absi wrote. “If you were one of her students, I guarantee you she was one of their favorite teachers ever. If you were one of her actors, she made you feel like a star and you would forever drop anything to work with her again. If you were her colleague, you saw someone [who] truly put students first. And if you were her friend, you were blessed.”