Dr. Charles Reid

I had to opportunity of meeting Dr. Reid long before I became an Adjunct Professor at Essex. At the tail end of finishing up the first draft of my dissertation work at New Brunswick Theological Seminary, and in desperate need of an good editor, a friend recommended Dr. Reid. During our initial meeting, I explained the focus of my dissertation is the area of "Action Reflection Learning," and how by applying it as a methodology could help local faith-base institutions help bring about sustainable socio-economic and political transformative within local communities and towns and foster true community transformation by creating generational wealth, education, as well as political and social empowerment. To my surprise, Dr. offered to edit the work for free! If you know anything about Dr. Reid, he is an academic in every sense of the word. He spent hours pouring over every paragraph, every sentence, every word, and every letter. When I say, "every word," I mean each, and "every word!" Dr. Reid made my project his project. He not only served as my editor, after a while, he embraced and championed the project itself. Over and over, he and I repeated the process of reading each chapter out loud, then to ourselves. Dr. Reid made sure we asked the right question(s) of every paragraph and every sentence from the perspective of various potential readers. He even had us critique the usage of every verb, adjective, adverb, and noun. We stayed up until 1:00AM to 2:00AM at times. It was painstakingly exhaustive in every way imaginable. Dr. Reid took great pride in academic excellence. Once the editing was complete, Dr. Reid offered to provide moral support by accompanying me to to my defense. He drove an hour just so I'd know he was present. It made all the difference to me that day. In the middle of my defense, I introduced Dr. Reid as my editor. The panel shared positive feedback on the great editing work. They asked Dr. Reid to stand, give his credentials, and share how the project affected him. The Dean of the institution was so impressed, that subsequent of my defense, the institution not only acknowledged the work as being one of the best examples of a well written and edited dissertation projects, but sought a way to employ Dr. Reid as a staff editor and referral for to help other Doctorial candidates produce written dissertations reflective of publishable doctoral work. I will forever be appreciative and grateful to Dr. Reid for his unselfish spirit. What were painstaking moments, were actually moments Dr. Reid was at his best, pouring his soul into the souls of others with a hopes in the end, they become their better selves. Through the warm, calm, and giving nature of Dr. Reid, indirectly, I became a better writer. His example and approach to academic excellence and 5 star editing is what I model today. Each time I am asked to edit a project, I think of Dr. Reid. Because of this great man, my editing work has resulted in professors from prestigious programs like University of Maryland, Liberty College, and University of Louisville (on both undergrad and grad levels) recognizing the few students whose work I help edit. Dr. Reid have left behind footprints which testify of a way paved that others might come to realize their academic dreams and career goals. As a trailblazer and academic genius, Dr. Reid leaves us his legacy. A legacy that will live on forever. While his physical presence may no longer be with us, rest assured his impact will be with us forever. And just like that wonderful day he accompanied me for moral support at one of the most critical times in my life, each time we are reminded of his unselfish warmth, it will make all the difference in our day. I love you Dr. Reid! Dr. Terry Richardson