A legacy of belief: Dr. Parry's lasting impact

Some people walk into your life and change it forever. They see something in you—something you don’t even see in yourself—and they refuse to let you settle for anything less than your full potential. Dr. Pam Parry was that person for me.

When I first stepped into her classroom at Southeast Missouri State University nearly three years ago, I had no idea how much she would shape my life. She wasn’t just a professor; she was a mentor, the biggest cheerleader, and a guiding light.

Dr. Parry had a way of making her students feel like we mattered—not just as writers, but as people.

She challenged me to be better—to write more, to ask tougher questions, and to push myself in ways I never thought possible. She expected a lot, because she truly believed in our abilities. She saw potential where we saw uncertainty, and she never let us settle for anything less than our best.

She’s the reason I got involved with the Arrow. She read every single story I ever wrote, offering encouragement with that signature kindness and unwavering belief that I had something important to say.

When I doubted myself, she reminded me why I started. And when I succeeded, she was always the first to celebrate. She never missed a moment to tell me she was proud of me, and those words meant everything coming from someone I admired so deeply.

Dr. Parry had this incredible way of making you feel seen. She made you feel like your words mattered, like your voice was worth listening to. And in a world that often tells young journalists that they have to prove themselves before they’re taken seriously, she told us we were already enough. She didn’t just teach journalism or public relations—she taught confidence and the courage to use our voices.

She was compassionate, funny and kind. She had this rare ability to lift people up while still pushing them to be their best. Her office door was always open, whether you needed advice, a pep talk before a big interview, or just a moment to breathe.

I can still hear her voice, equal parts gentle and firm, telling me to take a chance on myself. She believed in me before I believed in myself, and I know I’m not the only student who feels that way.

Losing her so suddenly is heartbreaking. The classrooms and the hallways of SEMO feel emptier without her presence. But the thing about a person like Dr. Parry is that her impact doesn’t fade. It lives on in every student she ever taught, every story she inspired, and every moment she spent making sure we believed in ourselves the way she believed in us.

Her legacy is in the students she lifted up and the careers she encouraged us to chase. She made us better—not just as professionals, but as people. And as we step forward into the next chapters of our lives, we do so with the lessons she gave us: the courage to take risks, the confidence to use our voices, and the belief that we are capable of more than we ever imagined.

To her family: I hope you know how deeply loved she was. She changed so many lives, and we will carry her lessons with us forever.

Thank you, Dr. Parry, for everything. You were the best of us.

To listen to more about her story and the impact she had on her students, watch the newest episode of The My Story Podcast here.