Alumni and Friends Host Special Plaque-Unveiling Ceremony
At left, Bryan Flowers ’05, G’08 and Richard Heimbecker ’04.
By: Damon Markiewicz
It’s been stated many times that what makes Springfield College so special is the quality of people that call Alden Street home. For alumni Bryan Flowers ’05, G’08 and Richard Heimbecker ’04, there was nobody that made life on campus more enjoyable than long-standing employee Ronald Jackson.
Jackson spent close to 30 years building connections with students, faculty, staff, and alumni, until he retired in 2008. He passed away in November of 2019 leaving behind a legacy of being compassionate to others. Through the efforts of Flowers and Heimbecker, they made sure that Jackson’s impact would never be forgotten.
On August 25, 2023, a special plaque-unveiling ceremony was hosted in the Fuller Arts Center. The event was attended by alumni and staff who were lucky enough to build friendships with Jackson. Attendees shared stories of how Jackson impacted so many lives.
“What made this gathering so special was how multi-generational it was,” explained Flowers. “So many friends, faculty, alumni, and staff really wanted to make this get together happen, and it was inspiring to see how much Ron meant to everyone. It was special to watch people re-connect and remember Ron. This gathering showed that Ron is still bringing people together, and he still is having an impact on others.”
For both Flowers and Heimbecker, it was their student-employment at Babson Library that helped build a life-long friendship with Jackson. Flowers worked for Jackson at the circulation desk in the library, and their bond eventually led to them working together with other student groups on campus.
“I arrived at Springfield College in the fall of 2001, and Ron really helped me through some challenging times,” explained Flowers. “I was looking for a place to belong on campus, and not only was Ron working at the library, but he was also involved with the gay and straight alliance on campus. I honestly don’t think I would have been able to get through the first couple of years at Springfield without Ron’s support. He would always remind me that the experience maybe hard, but it was worth it.”
Similar to Flowers, Heimbecker also built what felt more like a kinship with Jackson while working in the library.
“Ron was such a good listener, and he had an ability to lead individuals to finding their way, and that’s something I really appreciated about Ron,” explained Heimbecker. “He had a unique ability to bring people together, in a warm and gentle approach. You always wanted to be around Ron, whether it was working in the library, or leading the Best of Broadway group, he was able to get people to collaborate.”
As their college careers progressed, both Flowers and Heimbecker found community through the Best of Broadway student-led group. For Flowers, he had done some acting in high school, and the Best of Broadway helped him find a place on campus that promoted inclusion and belonging. For Heimbecker, he arrived at Springfield College in the fall of 2000 to play football, but a series of injuries altered his athletic plans. The Best of Broadway helped fill the void of working as a team that was left when he could no longer compete on the field.
“With Ron’s leadership, the Best of Broadway was all about making connections,” added Heimbecker. “You had students from all different parts of campus interested in performing. It was a special feeling.”
During Flowers, Heimbecker, and Jackson’s time together with the Best of Broadway, they performed some memorable shows, including the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “Cabaret.” The shows were met with extreme enthusiasm, which was evident with the sold out crowds at each show. But, it was Jackson’s approach to each performance that brought the audience in even closer.
“Ron would welcome the crowd at each show, and he did it in a way that really made everyone feel like they were part of a family,” added Heimbecker. “Ron created a culture of having everyone feel they were welcome, and it was a family through theater.”
Following graduation, both Flowers and Heimbecker continued a friendship with Jackson that went well beyond Alden Street. There were regular conversations and visits over the years that only reinforced a strong friendship.
“We talked on a regular basis, right up until he passed away,” said Heimbecker. “He met my wife and kids, and he was family. Ron taught me how to be a listener, and I am always grateful for that.”
Jackson set the standard on how important of a roll a faculty and staff advisor can have on the campus community.
“Sometimes you may feel like you can’t make a difference, but Ron showed just how much of any impact you can have on people when you truly care about others,” added Flowers. “There are some people who may not be alive without conversations they had with Ron. The positive impact people can have on others perfectly describes what Ron was all about.”
