ABSTRACT
As this volume celebrates John R. Rickford’s scientific career and his long-standing contributions and influence on the scholarship of various fields, I’d like to highlight his remarkable dedication to mentorship. As a former doctoral student of his, I can say that he is enthusiastically and whole-heartedly there for his students. He’s always willing to squeeze his students into his calendar for a meeting, excited to hear project updates, prepared to offer encouraging feedback, ready to celebrate progress, and eager to discuss next steps. His unwavering guidance and support to students, especially to those who are historically underrepresented in academia, are truly noteworthy. Many times he believes in his students before they truly believe in themselves.
