Mostly, he just listened

by Barrett Adair (’14)

I first met Dr. Dana Steil in his introductory computer programming class in Fall 2012. This was my only class that semester. My refusal to attend chapel and Bible classes limited my status to part-time. I had dropped out of Harding the year before, and this was an attempt at a fresh start.

Dr. Steil's class was difficult, but I quickly grew to love the subject matter. I was looking for a way out of my hometown of Searcy, and I began to think that computers might be my ticket. Still, as a part-time student, I had a long road ahead.

Dr. Steil recognized my newfound passion. The next summer, he hired me as an intern for his grant-funded project. I got to write real-world code, attend my first business meeting and eat way too many peanut butter M&Ms. (To my amazement, these were unlimited.) Simultaneously, he let me take his upper level class as an independent study. I was in his office nearly every day that summer.

For the rest of my time at Harding, when I needed a friend, Dr. Steil was there for me. We had countless lengthy conversations about computers, careers and life. He took me backpacking a couple of times and was always willing to share his wealth of knowledge and wisdom but only when asked. To this day, he is perhaps the most humble person I have ever met. I imagine that many who know him would say the same.

I don't remember how the topic came about, but one afternoon I opened up to him about my faith struggles (not my term of choice at the time). Even though I was pretty well-practiced at those conversations, his response caught me off guard. I don't remember his exact words, but I will never forget the look in his eyes. "I hurt with you,” they said. Mostly, he just listened.

Eventually, I became a full-time student again. I was welcomed back into the social club I had once abandoned. I finished my degree. The road back to church was a longer one.

Like so many others who deserve their own tributes, Dr. Steil cared about me in a way that transcended his job description. He cared about me in a way that revealed the Gospel. For this, I am forever grateful.