A bench was dedicated last week in memory of Melody van Lidth de Jeude, a faculty member in the School of Communications whose death over the summer came as a surprise to the Elon community. Van Lidth de Jeude taught approximately one-fifth of the current student body through her many sections of public speaking and other courses, according to Paul Parsons, dean of the School of Communications.
"We remember Melody always wearing a smile," Parsons said. "She was a wonderful teacher, and we miss her."
Janet Fuller, university chaplain, gave an opening statement and a closing prayer at the dedication. Philip van Lidth de Jeude, her husband, and a former student both spoke of her positive impact. Parsons read quotes from members of the Elon community who submitted memories of Melody, and her genuine happiness and care for others were common themes.
"'I never heard her say 'hate' in any context,'" said Parsons, quoting Anthony Hatcher, professor of communications. "'Even to say, innocuously, 'I hate Mondays.'"
Sophomore Jordan Only, who took public speaking with van Lidth de Jeude, said she and other students referred to her as "Hey Melody." She had the power to get students excited for class, even sections at 8 a.m., and took the time to connect with every student, according to Only.
"Hey Melody was willing to enforce the stereotype that at Elon, you're not just a number," Only said.
The dedicated bench is outside the McEwen School of Communications. Philip van Lidth de Jeude said his son told him a bench was a very fitting way to keep his mother's spirit in the minds of others.
"'Mom always loved to sit on a bench outside, watch the people go by, think about what she was doing, say hello to whoever stopped to say hello,'" Philip van Lidth de Jeude quoted his son. "I think I can truly say that even when she didn't know it yet, Melody was all about communication and she was all about teaching."
Van Lidth de Jeude's family often joked she had "B positive" blood, Philip van Lidth de Jeude said, because it was challenging to get her to be negative about anyone or anything.
"She always wanted to remain upbeat, even right to the end," he said. "I'll tell you, the last couple of months, she just wanted to make sure she finished the semester, she wanted to make sure she finished what she was doing with her students. But she didn't want anybody to know what was happening."
Van Lidth de Jeude's passion for Elon and her students was always amazing, Philip van Lidth de Jeude said, and he thanked the Elon community for providing meaning to her life and offering their support in recent months.
"She passed away feeling that she had accomplished what she had set out to do," he said. "And let's face it, guys, that is perhaps the best thing that anybody can feel."