 Central Lakes College is a little quieter this week as they mourn the unexpected death of a popular communications instructor. Thurman Knight passed away last Thursday. Our Logan Gaye discussed Knight's lasting legacy with his friends and colleagues. Beloved Central Lakes College instructor Thurman Knight passed away unexpectedly last Thursday. This week, his students and colleagues are honoring his memory. This campus is very much poorer for not having Thurman here. Newly appointed CLC president, Harry Charlier, may not have known him long, but she says he left a lasting impression on the college. If you had met Thurman, you would have never forgotten him. He's described as kind of a rock star, biker, persona, always in a leather jacket and just a personality bigger than life. So he impacted everyone around him. He was very, very dedicated to his students and worked really hard to connect with them. So his students are missing him tremendously. So even though I only knew him for about three months, I felt like I'd have known him for a very long time and he will be deeply missed here. Knight was very popular with the students and was voted faculty member of the year multiple times. It's astounding to hear how much they were moved by this, how much they were affected by him when he was alive and now if he was passing. Thurman was a unique individual who really connected with his students and cared for them, wanted them to succeed. That showed in everything he did. Counseling services have been available for students having a hard time dealing with the unexpected loss. It's just very hard to lose someone that close to your life. So yes, we've offered counseling services since Thursday here on campus that are making sure that students can talk about it. Teachers have teamed up to fill the void and to take over its classes. In Brainerd, Logan Gay, Lakeland News. Thurman Knights Memorial Service will be held Saturday, November 12th at the Cremation Society of Minnesota in St. Paul. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.