Joseph Lennon is a professor and associate dean at Villanova University. Thirty years ago, he was an undergraduate at Knox College, in Galesburg, Ill. At Knox, Lennon took English classes with Robert Hellenga, who became a mentor and friend. Hellenga taught at Knox for decades and wrote several award-winning novels. A few months ago, while in hospice, he spoke by video conference to his former student.

This interview was recorded using StoryCorps Connect.

Bill Healy produces StoryCorps Chicago for WBEZ and teaches journalism at Northwestern University. Follow him @chicagoan.