English professor collaborates with Dear Jack Foundation to promote kindness
Dr. Bryan Corbin teaches English 1301/1302 and public speaking at the San Jacinto College South Campus, but there’s more to his resume than academics.
Corbin is a staunch believer in promoting random acts of kindness and often gets involved with projects that bring people together to do just that.
“I searched the Internet for opportunities to write cards to individuals facing difficult medical conditions,” Corbin said. “I was looking for an organization that served a population students could relate to, and fortunately I was lucky enough to come across the Dear Jack Foundation, which supports cancer patients in their late teens, 20s, and 30s.”
Corbin has found additional companies and organizations willing to provide cards and donations to make this project possible, including Avanti, Paypyrus, and Gallery Collection.
“Cancer is something that has touched virtually everyone’s lives, even if they haven’t had it themselves,” he said. “Virtually everyone knows someone who has had cancer or died from it.”
Classroom inspiration
In his English 1302 classroom, Corbin requires students to read the book, “Keep Going: The Art of Perseverance,” by Joseph Marshall III.
I want my students to think about the book and directly apply their learning to make a difference in the lives of others. People who have cancer are often times the archetype for what perseverance looks like.
Every essay in his class revolves around some aspect of perseverance. Students also read “Endurance,” by Daniel Bryce or Alfred Lansing, which tells the journey of Earnest Shackleton's efforts to successfully save 27 crew members stranded in Antarctica.
The Dear Jack cards also help contribute to research objectives.
“This semester, I’m conducting research on the perseverance project in conjunction
with Scholarship of Teaching and Learning,” Corbin said. “I am going to be analyzing
students’ thoughts and perceptions about how learning about the subject has benefited
them.”
For the Dear Jack Foundation project, the students write short positive messages to cancer patients in and out of the classroom. Corbin welcomes anyone to participate. For example, he hosted a Dear Jack card-signing event on Random Acts of Kindness Day Feb. 17 at the South Campus.
“The messages are about what they are learning and include messages of happiness and goodwill,” he said. “It’s important though that the students do not include statements like, ‘you got this, or you can overcome this,’ because sadly many of the card recipients will be unable to beat their ailments. In just a few minutes, students can brighten the day of another person without much effort.”
Corbin’s students have expressed fulfillment in devoting a little bit of their time doing something that will make a difference in the lives of others.
“This project benefits students by simply having them think outside of themselves,” Corbin said. “You might be surprised at how receiving greeting cards makes a huge difference in the lives of the recipients. Equally important, in many cases, showing kindness helps the giver even more than the receiver of the action.”
Why are lessons in kindness important?
Corbin believes everyone needs kindness to receive kindness at some point in their lives, and helping students realize the value of this transcends any kind of learning related to writing essays.
Kindness is the glue that can bring people together regardless of political or religious beliefs. I hope students recognize that they can never go wrong showing compassion or kindness to others. I also hope they come to recognize the value of perseverance as they go through their journeys in life; this is why, in my English 1302 classes, I focus on the value of not giving up.
Inspiration sparks participation
Adam Rogers, program advisor coordinator for advising, career and transfer at the South Campus, chose to participate because kindness was very important to his parents when he was growing up and has stuck with him both personally and professionally.
“When interacting with students, kindness, mindfulness, and actively listening go a long way in developing rapport, which I think, in some way, is a pillar of retention,” Rogers said. “I always share with students that if there is no you, there is no College (San Jac) … we are in this together! I guess, taken in part from an old adage, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’”
Rogers thinks kindness projects are beneficial because they build a sense of community and help connect students to campus.
“I also think it allows students to reflect and take a moment to consider another person’s circumstances because maybe someone close to them may have battled or are battling an illness,” he said.
Where do the cards go?
The cards are sent to the Dear Jack Foundation in Colorado for review and nationwide distribution to cancer patients associated with the Dear Jack Foundation.
This will be an ongoing project that runs year round. Corbin hopes more people will be inspired to get involved, which will make the project more widely recognized and help boost success.
Spread the word
Corbin started the project in fall 2024 at the South Campus, and it has expanded to the Central Campus. He is working on incorporating it into all his English 1302 classes.
“This project lends itself to many disciplines, including sociology, psychology, nursing, and so much more,” he said. “Even students in art classes could get involved by decorating portions of the cards to make them even better.”
The cards are still available, and Corbin encourages more faculty and staff members to participate.
Appreciation from the Dear Jack Foundation
“The Dear Jack Foundation is deeply grateful to Dr. Corbin and the students of San Jacinto College for their participation in our Letters with Love initiative,” Susan Wandishin, Senior Director of Operations, Dear Jack Foundation, said. “Every six minutes, a young adult is diagnosed with cancer and, through your thoughtful messages, you're helping us create meaningful connections with these patients during their most challenging moments. We're continually moved by your compassion and dedication to supporting your peers facing cancer and offering hope and understanding when it's needed most.”
Wandishin said the impact of this program is remarkable with more than 93% of Letters with Love recipients reporting that these messages had a significant and positive impact on their mental health, which demonstrates how a simple act of kindness can create lasting impact.
See photos of participants signing and decorating cards.
