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Dr. Rebecca Boone has dedicated over two decades to Â鶹ӳ»­, shaping the minds of students and fostering growth within the College of Arts and Sciences.

Her path to becoming interim dean of the college was built on years of dedication, leadership, and a deep commitment to academic excellence. However, when she stepped into this role, she was facing not only the demands of academic leadership but also one of the most personal battles of her life: breast cancer. 

Despite the challenges, Dr. Boone has continued to lead with strength, grace, and an unwavering commitment to those around her. Now, she reflects on her journey, detailing how she has navigated the intersections of health, leadership, and personal growth while continuing to inspire students, faculty, and staff alike. 

Dr. Boone’s journey at Â鶹ӳ»­ began 22 years ago when she joined as an assistant professor of history. Over time, her dedication to the university led her to leadership positions, serving as associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 2019, then returning to the history department as chair. When the opportunity arose to step into the interim dean role, she took on the challenge despite undergoing one of the most trying periods of her life. 

Her breast cancer diagnosis came as a devastating shock. "My first reaction was to tell the nurse that I didn’t have time for it," Dr. Boone recalls. The nurse replied, "Nobody does." 

At the time, she was on a research leave which gave her space to process the diagnosis, but balancing her health alongside professional commitments was a formidable challenge. Writing became an outlet, allowing her to momentarily step away from the weight of medical treatments. When she returned to her position as department chair, she was already undergoing chemotherapy. Just six weeks later, she was asked to take on the role of interim dean. 

The transition was anything but easy, but the support from her colleagues, family, and community made it possible.

"My husband, grown children, and co-workers seemed as concerned about my survival as I was, which made things a lot easier," she said.  

Throughout her battle, Dr. Boone found strength in the people around her. Her husband became her greatest source of support, her caretaker, researcher, and unwavering advocate. Friends in the Beaumont community stepped in to help, providing meals, comfort, and encouragement.

"You can’t really appreciate a small city like Beaumont until you face a catastrophe like cancer," she said.  

Her experience has also given her a newfound appreciation for the work being done at Â鶹ӳ»­. "The students and professors in chemistry, biology, and computer science are analyzing proteins to cure cancer. Physics makes radiation treatment possible. Psychologists, social workers, and nurses support patients. Each one of our departments plays a part," she explains. "Seeing our college from a bird’s-eye view has left me in awe." 

Even in the midst of her struggles, Dr. Boone has found meaning in her role as a leader. One of her most rewarding moments came during a student research presentation in the chemistry department. The student was studying telomeres and their connection to aging and cancer.

"I told her that I was undergoing chemotherapy and appreciated her work to keep people like me alive. I saw her tear up as she hadn’t realized she was helping actual people in such a real way.”

Her journey has also shifted her perspective on life.

"My type of breast cancer has about an 80% survival rate at five years. Those are good odds, but it's like rolling the dice. I may not grow old," she says candidly. "Knowing this has made me appreciate my life in ways I never did before." 

Through it all, Dr. Boone has found guidance in simple yet profound advice. "My therapist at MD Anderson told me, ‘You don’t have to understand the enormity of it. You just have to get through the day.’ I feel like that’s great advice for everything." 

She has also come to understand the power of perspective. "A vet once told me that half of pain is fear. That’s how I see cancer now. The fear of pain is often worse than the pain itself."

She encourages others facing adversity to focus on the beauty of small moments.

"Walking my dog under the oak trees, enjoying hot chocolate by a fire, holding my husband’s hand, these simple things are exquisite pleasures." 

As she continues her journey, Dr. Boone remains hopeful for the future of the College of Arts and Sciences. "I want us all to grow and flourish," she says. "If we can help each other out and focus on what really matters, we can do great things." 

Her story is one of perseverance, strength, and the power of community. Through adversity, she has not only found her own resilience but has also reinforced the importance of leadership, compassion, and the impact that every person at Â鶹ӳ»­ can have on the world. Dr. Boone’s journey is a testament to the idea that, no matter the challenge, we can all become stronger every day.