Remembering
A Special Publication from the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures • Fall 2006 • Pittsburg State University
One of the hardest things we ever
have to do is say goodbye to a friend.
Brett Carlson was a student, a
friend, a colleague. Brett, another
sponsor, and ten students from
Labette County High School where
he taught arrived in Costa Rica on
June 6, 2006. A week later, the
group was swimming at Palo Seco
Beach near the town of Parrita
about 180 miles south of San José.
When a current suddenly swept
up several students, Brett went in
to save them. He brought one to
safety. He died trying to save two
others who perished with him. Our
student, our friend, our colleague,
lives on in our hearts as a hero. The
Modern Languages and Literatures
Department has established the Brett
Carlson Scholarship in his honor.
Our goal is to raise $10,000 so that
Brett’s name will be memorialized.
With that amount, the interest on
the account will provide a perpetual
scholarship. We ask that you honor
Brett’s life by giving a gift to his
scholarship fund. His scholarship
will make a difference in the lives of
numerous PSU students just as he
would have wished. Gifts of all sizes
will help make this goal a reality.
Enclosed you will find a pledge
card to use to designate your gift
to the Brett Carlson Scholarship.
Brett Carlson
Brett graduated from PSU in May of 2002 with a degree in Spanish Education.
Prior to that, he worked as a student assistant in the Modern Languages and
Literatures office from August of 1999 to May of 2002. We honored Brett’s
achievements at our annual banquet in 2002 by naming him Outstanding
Spanish Student of the Year. Brett enjoyed attending subsequent banquets so
he could reconnect with faculty and friends. He joined us in acknowledging the
accomplishments of our more recent students by attending the banquet in May of
2006. We mourn Brett’s passing but hope that as you read this you will join us in
celebrating the life of an extraordinary young man.
Kathy Dyer, Administrative
Specialist, writes:
Brett worked for our
department as a student
office assistant for nearly
three years. We spent several
hours a day together in the
same office so we had a lot
of time to get to know each
other. He was always in a
good mood and perked up
my day. He shared about
his girlfriend, weekend
plans, and life as a Resident
Assistant for one of the
dorms on campus. He was
very close to his family and
talked about them a lot. He
had a special place in his
heart for his new nephew.
One thing in particular
I remember is when a
Spanish teacher wanted me
to sing Happy Birthday in
Spanish with him. Being
somewhat shy and not
able to speak Spanish, I
felt rather embarrassed.
Brett picked up on it right
away and stepped in and
helped me. Brett was a
very sensitive and caring
young man. After he
graduated, we continued
to email each other and
banter back and forth. His
emails always brought a
smile to my face. During
spring of 2006, Brett
and my daughter started
spending time together.
She enjoyed getting to
know him and they emailed
daily. Sometimes she would
share some of his funny
remarks which always
made me laugh. He had
a great sense of humor.
Brett was a great co-worker
and person. I’m so glad
he was a part of my life
and I’ll never forget him.
John Burns, 1994 graduate
and former Lecturer
of Spanish writes:
Brett Carlson was a
unique friend to me for
seven and a half years.
When I came back to PSU
in 1998 to teach Spanish,
Brett was an undergraduate
working on his BSEd
and was employed by the
Language Department.
We became fast friends,
bonding over Spanish
literature, sports, and
rock and roll music. Brett
showed great promise as
a Spanish scholar during
his years at PSU, and I was
always impressed by his
ability to analyze literature,
express himself in Spanish,
and think outside the box.
We attended a number
of Kansas City Royals
games together since we
are both lifelong fans.
On his first paycheck as a
teacher, September 2002,
he came to town to see
a game with me. Traffic
was barely crawling as
we made our way across
town to the ball field. As
annoying as that was to
me at the time, I look
back on it now as another
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30 minutes I got to spend
visiting with a dear friend.
For the duration of
our acquaintance, I never
witnessed a moment of
negativity in Brett, in any
form. He spoke softly, smiled
freely, and spread warmth
and cheer anywhere he found
himself. Twice I was honored
Pictured (l to r): Brett Carlson, Dr. Paul Smith, John Burns, Dr.
Bert Patrick, and Brett Smith at the 2006 MLL Annual Banquet.
Dr. Bert Patrick, Professor of Spanish, writes:
When I think of Brett Carlson, I always see his
mischievous smile and twinkling eyes. Brett had the
ability to find humor in virtually everything and to
lighten any situation. During his first trip to Costa Rica,
I had to scramble to find transportation to get students
to a Fourth of July celebration which had been moved
from the grounds of the U.S. Embassy to another site. I
opted to use taxis, negotiating with the drivers, getting
the students loaded and sending three groups of them
on their way. Brett and I were in the fourth and final
taxi, overloaded illegally with too many big hulking boys
and their teacher. All the way there, Brett’s wit kept us
laughing, distracting us from our crushed limbs and the
sardine can conditions. Brett’s humor set the tone for
all other group activities throughout the rest of our stay.
Last summer I ran into him at a collector’s show
at the local mall and discovered that he and I shared
another similar interest: baseball cards. In between
glances at cards so expensive we could only dream of
owning them, he and I chatted about his teaching
experiences and his growth in the profession.
Brett maintained close connections with the
Department long after his graduation. He and John
Burns, another of our graduates, were always in
attendance at our annual banquet. It was such a
joy to look out at the many faces and to always see
those two familiar ones. As a result, we established
a tradition of taking several photographs of Los
Cuatro Amigos: Brett, John, Paul Smith and me. Next
spring, we will carry on the tradition, saving a place
for you, Brett, as you will always be nuestro amigo!
to be a guest speaker in
his classroom at Labette
County High School, in
May 2003 and May 2006.
On these occasions I got
to witness the greatness of
the program he had built
at that school, the amazing
rapport and connection he
had with his students, and
a man who had truly found
his element. He was born
to teach, and Heaven only
knows the career he would
have realized. Knowing Brett
like I do, he would welcome
the parallel I see between
him and the immortal
guitarist Jimi Hendrix: Both
lived roughly 27 years, both
were prominent in their
professions for four years,
both passed away on foreign
soil, both had a vision of
peace and harmony, both
were incomparable to anyone
else, and each has left a
legacy that will never fade.
Thanks, Brett, for all the fun,
laughter, good times, and
professional growth that we
enjoyed together. Love, John.
Dr. Paul Smith, Professorial
Lecturer of Spanish, writes:
I knew Brett Carlson as
a student, as a coworker, as
a colleague, and as a friend.
As a student, he was
always thorough and
well-prepared, that is, he
was “professional” in the
classroom. He was serious,
yet he was also fun. I believe
all these qualities were to
prove important to his
success in his profession.
When I was department
chair, he worked in our
office. He was reliable,
thoughtful and respectful
as he worked with students,
faculty and others. He took
his job seriously, but we had
fun in that environment also.
“He spoke softly,
smiled freely, and
spread warmth and
cheer anywhere he
found himself.”
Brett would tease me about
those funny Latin American
shirts I would wear, and I
would tease him right back
about how he might wear
such attire too some day—and
he did—as part of his “teacher
identity” at Labette County
High School. I especially
appreciated his wit and sense
of humor. One of his clever
post-it notes from his days in
the office has been helping
me enjoy a fulfilling and
rewarding retirement. That
note has been prominently
positioned on my
refrigerator for seven years.
Our friendship continued
and deepened over the
years, and one form of his
thoughtfulness was the
annual celebration of my
birthday with our mutual
friend John Burns, another
PSU graduate in Spanish.
At Brett’s memorial service,
attended by many from
Labette County and his
home town, Arkansas City,
I was particularly impressed
by his many students and
their love and appreciation
for him. I assured his parents
that we would continue
to celebrate the life of
such a fine, young, serious
professional, and of our fine,
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fun friend. Our most heartfelt
thoughts are with his family.
Dr. Judy Berry-Bravo, Professor
of Spanish and Portuguese
and Chairperson, writes:
Brett was working as a
student office assistant in the
department when I arrived at
PSU in the year 2000. For his
easy smile and love of learning,
he reminded me of my own
sons. When I asked him to
search for magazine photos to
cut out and mount for all of
the faculty to use in classes,
he immediately took to the
idea. I encouraged him to take
some to start his own picture
file so he would be ready for
his first teaching assignment.
One day, as I left my
office to teach Portuguese,
he said he had been told that
Portuguese and Spanish were
so much alike that there was
no reason to study Portuguese.
A few days later, when my
class took a vocabulary quiz,
I gave Brett a copy and asked
him to try out the language.
He gave me that broad smile
he always shared with friends
and took the challenge. To his
dismay, he failed the quiz.
Years later, I met one of his
former Labette Community
College students who told
me what a great teacher Brett
was. She explained how he
used a Picture File to make
the class “click.” She also said
he taught her that Portuguese
and Spanish are really quite
different languages because of
vocabulary and pronunciation.
I smiled as she told me all
of this, and I smile now as I
remember Brett—a lifelong
learner who shared his gift
with all those with whom
he came into contact.
Brett Smith, 2002 graduate and
Lecturer of Spanish, writes:
It’s not too often that
someone enters our lives and
as a result changes us for the
better. The serendipitous
discovery of a wonderful
friendship with Brett helped
me in more ways than I
“He was more
than just a great
friend, he was
an inspiration.”
can count. When I saw
his passion for languages
and culture, as well as his
incredible ability to speak
Spanish, I decided that I
wanted to feel the same way
he did. Some decisions in
life can be very difficult, such
as deciding what we wish
to do with our lives. For
Brett, his decision was easy.
He knew from a young age
that he wanted to help the
youth of the world, to open
their minds and explore
their dreams. He wanted
to teach Spanish. Knowing
what we want to do with
our adult lives when we are
only children, is truly a rare
thing to find. With Brett’s
understanding of how he
wanted to help the world at
such a young age, he proved
to me and others that it
is possible. I watched him
learn Spanish, strive to be
the best, constantly look out
for others, be someone we
should all strive to be, and,
because of him, I tried to do
the same. He was more than
just a great friend, he was
an inspiration. It is my hope
(continued on next pg.)
Brett Carlson with Cooperating Teacher, Rebecca
Leek, at Northeast High School, Arma, Kan.
Dr. Edmée Fernández, Associate Professor of Spanish
and Coordinator of Teacher Education, writes:
I met Brett during my first semester at PSU back in
the Fall of 1998. “Profesora, me llamo Brett Carlson
y quiero ser maestro de español.” That was the way he
introduced himself to me in the first oral interview of
the semester. That was also the beginning of the most
rewarding teacher-student relation I could ask for. His
determination to learn the language and how to teach it
are of the kind that you would like to see in all student
teachers you get to know through your teaching career.
I remember his willingness to participate in my first
Professional Development Project in which he sat in
on Armando Johnson’s class, another former student
of our department, while taking his methods class
with me. I also remember all the good times we shared
when he was my intern in a Spanish I class. It was an
enriching experience for both of us and I still use some
of the materials he prepared for me back then. The
thing I remember the most about Brett is his beautiful
smile and his kind demeanor which I knew were
going to be so important for his teaching career. The
same gentle smile and warm demeanor I found when
I visited him at Labette County High School when
he was the cooperating teacher for Kerry Hoisington,
another Spanish major in our department. On that
occasion, he shared with me how surprised he was
when the principal told him that he was going to be a
cooperating teacher for PSU. He could not believe he
had been chosen for that responsibility, but was very
excited about the new opportunity for professional
development. I assured him that, of course, he was
the best for that job and that he was going to be my
partner and colleague in the preparation of many more
Spanish teachers in the future. Teaching is a splendid
way of caring for others and Brett cared for his students
until the very end. I will continue celebrating his life
and his teaching as a role model to share with my
students in the fine career of teaching. ¡Gracias Brett!
that we, as the instructors
of the youth that are the
future, can try to be like him.
His character is something
that all of us, at any age,
should strive to achieve.
Dr. Nancy Durbin, former
Assistant Professor of French
currently at Lindenwood
University, writes:
Brett was such a delight
to have with us in the MLL
department. I loved his
warm smile and great sense
of humor. He was so willing
and happy to help out in
whatever way he could. Brett
had such an easy way of
interacting with the faculty
and staff, as well as with
his fellow students. I always
thought he seemed to really
have what it would take to
be a good teacher. I’m sure
he had much success in his
oh-too-short career. I’m happy
he was able to touch the lives
of the students he did have
and I am not surprised that
he literally sacrificed his life
for them.
Dr. Mark West, former Associate
Professor of French currently
at Taylor University, writes:
I remember seeing Brett
in the office. It was a great
pleasure to see him preparing
for class or for a project
that Edmée had him doing.
I remember him working
with the picture file one day
getting ready for a class, so
I know he was diligent and
creative. I also remember
him getting a teaching job
and winning a new teacher
award. I think the thing I
most admired about him
was his easy going manner
and ability to communicate
well with those in the office
and on our staff. Brett is
certainly worthy of honoring
with a scholarship in his
name! May heaven benefit
from Brett’s leaving us.
Dr. Myriam Krepps, Assistant
Professor of French, writes:
When I arrived as a new
French instructor in the Fall
of 2001, Brett was working
as a student assistant in the
departmental office. He was
busy finishing his coursework
before student teaching and
I was busy learning the ropes
at PSU. I wish I had had
more time to get to know
Brett. I know how important
he was to all who knew him.
What I remember most
about Brett was his very
nice smile at the last MLL
banquet in May of 2006.
Scott Sternberger, 2005 graduate
and Lecturer of Spanish, writes:
Even though Brett and I
were students at about the
same time, unfortunately
I never took classes with
“He enjoyed what
he was doing,
knew where he
was going, and
never hesitated to
give someone else
a hand. He will
be greatly missed.”
him. I knew Brett only as
a familiar (and friendly)
face in the MLL office. I
do not have the words to
express my sympathy for
the loss that Brett’s friends
and family have suffered.
Nikole Mathews, 2003
graduate and former student
office assistant, writes:
I knew that if anyone
would have given his life to
save his students–or anyone,
for that matter–it would
have been Brett. I worked
with Brett in the office
and he was always a joy to
be around. Even when he
was stressed or was going
through problems, he always
had a smile and a willingness
to help someone else. He
enjoyed what he was doing,
knew where he was going,
and never hesitated to give
someone else a hand. He
will be greatly missed.
Pittsburg State University
Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
1701 South Broadway
Pittsburg, KS 66762-7523
Nathan Arnold, 2002
graduate and former Lecturer
of Spanish, writes:
Brett Carlson was and
will continue to be an iconic
gentleman–both for alumni
of Modern Languages at
Pittsburg State and for
students who attended
Altamont High School.
Besides his established success
as an educator, Brett’s most
exemplary traits were his easygoing disposition and uniquely
enviable dry sense of humor.
He seemed always to be in
his best mood around others
and was easy to talk with. His
genuine commitment to his
kids at Altamont is the type of
legacy that all PSU alumni &
Alpha Mu Gamma Honorary
Foreign Language Society
members should desire to
give in whatever we do in life.
With regard to Brett’s success
in growing his international
exchange program to Costa
Rica, I sincerely hope that
this type of opportunity
will continue to exist for
students of Altamont and
for high school students in
all parts of the United States
in the years to come. We
love you and will miss you,
Brett! Te acordaremos para
siempre, Brett. Un abrazo
muy fuerte para ti. Que
demostremos al mundo el
mismo amor, la paz y el valor
que tú nos has mostrado.