Franciscan Studies

GIRARD EZTKORN, Ph.D. DEDICATION Over the years most of the contributors to this volume have come to know and appreciate Jerry Etzkorn as a scholar and friend. All of us can attest to his command of medieval philosophy and theology, as well as his skill as a Latin Paleographer and editor of medieval Latin texts. Most of us have also experienced his hospitality. Even though we all have all benefited from his expertise and generosity, I have been particularly privileged to know Jerry as a teacher. I first met Jerry in May 1975 at Western Michigan University, when as a graduate student I presented my first conference paper. Jerry happened to hear the paper and later in the day I was told by another scholar that there was a certain Girard Etzkorn who wanted to speak to me. Jerry's telephone number at the conference was given to me and I called immediately. After introducing myself over the telephone, Jerry asked something like "Hey, kid, do you have a moment to talk about your paper?" The "moment" turned into an hour and a half conversation concerning, in general, the philosophical and theological issues in the 127Os, and in particular the relationship between John Peckham's Quodlibet Romanum and Henry of Ghent's Quodlibet I. At the end of our chat, I told him that I needed to become more proficient in Latin Paleography and asked if he could help me. He invited me to come to the Franciscan Institute that summer and take his class in Latin Paleography. As a young graduate student with a beginning family I was concerned about housing during the six week summer session at St. Bonaventure. Jerry assured me that he would made some arrangement, and this concern should not prevent me from coming to the Franciscan Institute. When we drove up to his house that summer and were greeted by his wife, Linda, I discovered the "arrangement." The "arrangement" was, of course, for my family and me to move in with his family for the six weeks. The "course" in Latin Paleography was as generous as his hospitality. He would sometimes begin work as early as four in the morning; I would meander in at a more normal eight. I was then treated to over eight hours of reading and transcribing as many different handwritings to which Jerry could expose me. When the actual class was formally in session, my classmates and I were given the utmost individual attention. As a teacher, Jerry was remarkable. Certainly he was knowledgeable: he knew the issues and nuances of medieval philosophical and theological thought, and he could read Latin manuscripts with an alacrity and accuracy which inspired awe. Having the patience of a paleographer, he took each of us with our unique interests and limitations, and worked to bring each to a higher level of proficiency. Each of his students learned. This began my long relationship with Jerry. Over time he has helped me as he has helped many scholars: identifying an obscure citation, helping to understand a particularly subtle or even more than subtle theory, transcribing an unusual graphism, etc. During his career, his generosity in opening his door and his family to scholars visiting Olean, and now "The Glade," has cemented deep friendships. Over the years, his patience as a teacher has been an inspiration and model. It is to this scholar, editor, paleographer, teacher, and friend — a fine example of what is truly best in the Franciscan tradition — that this volume is dedicated. Gordon A. Wilson ...