Today, I say goodbye to a teacher who changed the course of my life.

My name is AMINATOU SALI and When I arrived at [American University of Nigeria], I was 100% French-speaking. I could barely put together a sentence in English. Everything felt overwhelming, and among all my professors, Bill was the one I feared the most.

He was demanding. He was tough. At times, I even hated him.

What I didn't understand then was that his high standards came from a place of belief. He saw something in me that I couldn't see in myself. While I doubted my abilities, Bill never seemed to.

He pushed me beyond my comfort zone, challenged every excuse, and refused to let me settle for less than my best. At the time, it felt harsh. Looking back, it was one of the greatest gifts anyone has ever given me.

A year later, Bill assigned me a presentation on the French Revolution in front of my classmates. I was terrified. But when I stood there and spoke, something incredible happened: I realized that I could communicate in English just as well as everyone else.

When I finished, Bill applauded.

Then he said something I have never forgotten: "Even if you were standing in front of Obama today, I know you would make me proud." Barack Obama had just been elected [President of the U.S.] at the time, and those words meant the world to me. For the first time, I truly believed in myself because someone I respected believed in me first.

Over the years, we stayed in touch. His faith in me never wavered. In 2018, he even offered me an opportunity to return to AUN and work there. Although it didn't work out in the end, the gesture spoke volumes about the esteem and confidence he had in me.

Bill was more than a teacher. He was a mentor, a guide, and a man who understood that sometimes the greatest act of kindness is refusing to let someone underestimate themselves.

Many years later, I can still hear his voice pushing me to do better, aim higher, and believe more.

Thank you, Bill, for your patience, your toughness, your confidence in me, and the lessons that extended far beyond the classroom. You helped shape the person I became.

One of the things I will always remember about Bill was how proudly he spoke about you, Doug. Over the years, he shared many stories about you, and it was impossible not to see how much he loved you and how proud he was of the man you had become.

Rest in peace, Bill. You made a difference, and you will never be forgotten.

AMINATOU SALI, June 2026