I've sat with this news for days trying to think of anything to add to the well-deserved tributes pouring in about Sharon. She was simply a wonderful and brilliant human being. I am in the field of journalism because of her. She was the faculty member who responded 24-year-old self when I was applying for grad student as an idealistic young person who didn't even have a clip to my name (or, indeed, even know what a clip was!). I had only been to Madison once in my life, but this warm, reassuring voice over email assured me that I'd feel at home.

Sharon was an amazing teacher and I was lucky to have her for a number of classes. She made me a better writer and journalist and I always felt honored I got to work with her. At the end of my time in grad school Sharon gave my name to the then assistant director at the Institute for Journalism and Natural Resources and I've been working there ever since. She's why I'm in this field and, literally, why I'm still here in Madison getting to do what I love.

We take people like Sharon for granted. They seem too remarkable to ever not be here. I know her legacy is so well established that it will outlive most of us and that is some comfort, but I'm still so, so sad that she's gone.