Memories - T Tytko

Graduate Student Tetiana Tytko reflects

My first encounter with Dr. Ross happened before I joined the program. It was in the fall of 2020 when I was finishing my MA degree at Ohio University, and researching Ph.D. programs to apply for. Around Thanksgiving I became serious about applying for a Ph.D., so I started going through the list of schools and SLA programs I had compiled. I didn't expect anyone to respond to me straight away on Thanksgiving Day; however, the first and only email I received was from Dr. Ross, who was the director of the SLA program at that time. I distinctly remember receiving his email as I was watching the Macy's parade and adding gravy to my turkey. He clearly answered all my questions and encouraged me to reach out to him. I was very thankful because there were people who never got back to me, but Dr. Ross was kind and took time from his day to help a prospective student like myself. Since that time, SLA at UMD became my priority and first choice.

My second encounter happened during the PhD interview where I also met Dr. Long and Dr. Gor. The interview lasted around 15 minutes, but it was friendly, informative, and felt more like a conversation with mentors rather than an interview with a committee. I remember how warmly Dr. Ross welcomed me to the meeting, and how he shared some resources and the names of the people in the program who have the same interests. The interview seemed too short, and the professors left me with the feeling that I wanted our conversation to continue.

And it did, as one day later I received an optimistic email from Dr. Ross saying that I should be hearing from the SLLC soon and wishing me a Happy Valentine's Day. Since then, I joined the program and have had Dr. Ross as my professor every semester. But more than that, I had him as my mentor and my friend. Even after he stepped down as the director of SLA, he would consult and advise me and many other students on the various tough decisions of our Ph.D. journeys. Dr. Ross was extremely supportive and compassionate when the war started in Ukraine. In fact, knowing that I’m Ukrainian, he started checking on me even before the war began when news reports started talking about the potential attack of Russia on Ukraine. Dr. Ross was sympathetic and understanding and gave me time off from classes and, from time to time, I'd receive an email from him inquiring how I had been doing. When I was ready to go back to school, he agreed to be my advisor for both of the qualifying papers. He had this huge data collection that he said he'd give away before he retired. Dr. Ross also wrote many recommendation letters and always was on the list of my references. I can't describe how saddened I was to learn about his illness, and that he was most likely not going to come back to the program.

I'll always be grateful for everything Steve Ross did for me and for my Ph.D. career. I'm sad I won't be able to meet him again, shake his hand, and express how much of an impact/imprint he left/had in my life. I wish I had the privilege of knowing him longer, and this reminds me to never take the people in my life for granted and always let them know how I feel about them."

Tetiana Tytko, SLA PhD Student