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February 14, 2012
Yanbing Tang
I don't know how to express my grief at hearing this sad news on the page. I couldn't believe and accept it. My heart was overcome by sadness.
Professor Phil McKnight was my former academic advisor during my studying in Georgia Institute of Technology under CSC scholarship. As my supervisor, he gave me a lot of help. He advises books within his field to read and share views with me. To enlarge my scope of knowledge, he introduced colleagues at ML and campus activities for me to participate. He also introduced professors at LCC to facilitate me to adit classes, pursuing the courses offered by professor Carol Colatrella:Literary and Cultural Theory, structuralist and narratological analyses of literary texts. Considering my educational background in ESL and teaching Chinese as a foreign language, Phil also provided me with additional opportunity to teach Chinese at ML.
I m so grateful for all he has done for me. He gave me support when I was under stress because living in a foreign country, and encourage me when I met difficulties in both study and work. (He wrote comments on my study and work and reports to Chinese embassy. For me, he has been a most generous person with a lot of wisdom and benevolent heart. I miss him so much!
Yanking Tang, SH
Dr. Phil was a most benevolent person I have ever met, a man of great wisdom and generosity.
February 14, 2012
Yanbing Tang
October 11, 2011
It was with deep sorrow that we learned of Phil's passing tonight. And of all places we were at a soccer game. Our daughter, Emily, played on his soccer team along with his daughter Urusla. Phil worked tirelessly in helping to get soccer established in Lexington, KY. We have many fond memories of those years. He taught the girls alot about soccer. Our love and prayers go out to his family.
James and Barbara Coleman
Lexington, KY
September 22, 2011
Tiffany Earley-Spadoni
Phil was my boss at the School of Modern Languages in a program coordination position for more than four years. I just learned of his passing today, and I feel devastated. Phil was the best boss that I ever had. I think it would be tough for anyone else to top such a class act. Besides that, I considered him a friend.
He was such a kind and honest person, who gave me encouragement during a period when I really needed it. I came to know him when I had just left a job that I hated and that had shattered my self-confidence. But, after a short time, Phil had given me so many interesting projects to work on and expressed so much confidence in my abilities that I began to believe in myself again. He's a big part of the reason that I was able to work up the nerve to apply to top-tier PhD programs. I never got a chance to thank him properly for that. I hope he knew how much I appreciated his confidence in me and how much it meant. I find it tragic that Phil passed away the week that I sitting for my comprehensive exams to pass to doctoral candidacy. I would have loved to let him know that I passed my exams with flying colors. But, I don't think that he would have been surprised. That's how much he believed in me.
We shared a love of international soccer as well, and spent hours debating the good and bad calls of the 2006 World Cup. He was clearly bummed when his team, Germany, lost in the semis to my team, Italy, but never resorted to any clichéd descriptions of Italian soccer and congratulated me. Phil was a classy guy. I think he may be the only boss in the history of the world who will understand why I would need to take a two-hour long lunch break on any afternoon that Italy was playing. He would greet me on my return with a kind smile, asking how Italy played. To say that I'm going to miss him is a drastic understatement.
I wish I'd known about the memorial--I certainly would have come. I know that this must be a very hard time for everyone else who knew Phil since he was a truly wonderful person and scholar. He was a social and engaging person, and one of the most understanding and decent people I am sure that I will ever meet. He only ever spoke of his wife and children, mother and siblings in glowing terms. I hope that his friends and family may find comfort in these words.
September 15, 2011
Loretta Walker
Phil was my former boss at Georgia Tech School of Modern Languages from 2005-2011. He made a huge impact on all the students he encountered. He was a gifted man with a lot of knowledge to share. He will be missed. My deepest sympathy to his family.
September 15, 2011
Emily Weigel
Dr. McKnight shaped the person I am today. Though I never had him for class, he would regularly go out of his way to give advice and help in many forms. He made my study abroad experience, as he guided me through every step of the way, including standing up for me to receive due scholarships when I was out of the country. Through his help, I was even able to secure a research position that has shaped my doctoral research today. The year I spent at TUM has impacted me in every way, and I owe him dearly for providing me with that opportunity and for helping create the person I am today. Love and sympathy to his family and all of those who lost a great advisor, advocate, teacher, and friend.
September 14, 2011
Wes Phelps
My deepest sympathies to Phil's friends and family. He was an excellent teacher, the reason I know German grammar and structure so well today, and a true inspiration for me to become a German teacher. Today many of the poems, songs or books I teach in my classes were taught to me by Phil. Sincerely, Wes Phelps (Lexington, KY)
September 14, 2011
Ruth Styles
So saddened to hear about Phil's sudden death. His professional dedication and personable nature will continue to inspire those who knew him. I extend my deepest sympathy. Sincerely, Ruth Styles
September 14, 2011
Linda Worley
My deepest sympathies. Phil is remembered at the University of Kentucky as an energetic advocate for students and superb teacher as well as for his keen mind -- a wonderful legacy.
September 14, 2011
Mark Russell
You were an excellent professor of German at the University of Kentucky. My sympathy to the family.
Sincerely,
Mark Russell
September 14, 2011
Bob L.
May God strengthen you during your time of sorrow. Isaiah 12:2.
Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results
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