Madame Couture-Nowak was one of the nicest and most caring professors or teachers that I have ever had, and that is saying something. She had a smile that could light up the room, and her presence gave everyone a warm feeling in their hearts. She brought her daughter to class one day and from the little interaction we were able to witness firsthand, it was quite evident why she was so kind to all of her students -- she was a great mother, and a great instructor. Merci pour tous, Madame.

I knew Ms. Couture-Nowak from being a computer support person in Virginia Tech. I worked on her computer several times and had chances to talk to her. She was a very nice lady and very patient. I am not a native English speaker but she always showed her patience and interests when I tried to explain what computer issues she had encountered. Ms. Couture-Nowak, you will be truly missed and never forgotten.

I knew Jocelyne through teaching her daughter in 2nd grade during a long term substitute assignment at a local school in Blacksburg. I remember what a caring and loving mother she was. I am praying for her young daughter and husband as I know she will be missed greatly by friends and family.

Mme. Couture taught intermediate French at Virginia Tech for a number of years. She was a wonderful, dedicated, joyful professor, and will always be remembered as an outstanding person. She taught me French for a year, and through the close French community, we continued to keep in contact through my time at Virginia Tech. The impact she made on me, and many other students, with her heartfelt advice and genuine care will not be forgotten. It is evident that she was not only a memorable professor, but also an exceptional mother. -former student, French club officer, VT alumni 2006

Jocelyne Couture-Nowak was my neighbor and best friend when she, Jerzy and their children lived in Truro. We all thought the world of her. She was a vibrant, kind and caring mother, neighbor, friend. She was passionate about teaching especially the French language. She and her family were very, very important and special to myself and my family. We are devastated by her untimely death and in a state of disbelief about the whole thing. Our hearts are with her family and friends there in Blacksburg and all over North America.

Mme. Couture-Nowak was one of the nicest and understanding professors I have ever had the privilege of learning from. She was always smiling, happy to have her students engage in one of her passions: the French language. She was the very first French professor I had at Virginia Tech, and in the past 3 and a half years I have been a student at VT, she has always been sincerely happy to see me and to give me a big smile and "bonjour" whether it was passing by me on campus or buying a cup of coffee from me. She never forgot my name. She will truly be missed as she was a wonderful teacher and person.

I was Jocelyne Couture-Nowak's Personal Trainer. I learned of the news yesterday and was deeply saddened. Jocelyne was full of life and energy, always ready to go! She was motivated to be in the gym and loved to weight train (she was one of my only clients that can do 8-10 pullups unassisted!).... she loved to do spin class as well..... She had a strong passion for her family, fitness and gardening..... She will be dearly missed and never forgotten.

I didn't know Jocelyne through school (even though I was a student at the time...) but rather through weekly contact in the grocery store which I worked. She was a regular customer who brought her kids with her to grocery shop. I remember first meeting her while she was speaking French to her children. I thought to myself "she must be from France" but fact she wasn't but wanted to get her children used to speaking in French. After taking French in high school for 5 years, I was interested in brushing up on what I knew, so I decided to communicate with her in French. About 2 - 3 times a week I saw her for 4 years. She was always very pleasant and fun to speak with in French. She will be missed greatly.

I had Mme. Couture for Intermediate French my sophomore year. She was very passionate about her job. You could tell she truly loved French and would do everything she could to help her students succeed. I remember one of my classmates was really struggling, and Mme Couture helped him two or three times a week. A lot of people think you can't get the one-on-one attention at large universities that you can at smaller ones, but Mme Couture really proved them wrong. And on top of all that she was one of the sweetest people you would ever meet. She was always smiling and was endlessly patient.

Mme. Couture-Nowak was an incredible individual whose constant smile showed how much she loved teaching, her students and the French language. I first met her when she hosted discussion groups at local coffee shops so students could have "real" French conversations. I was always shy but she somehow managed to coax some French out of me. She never thought twice about using up her free time in order to help students. She was more concerned that we learn to appreciate the language than focus on tests or grades. She inspired me to travel abroad in order to learn the language. She was always smiling. That's just who she was.

Dear friends, we have truly lost an original. I'm proud to say that I met Jocelyn at Wacky Wheatley's in Truro many years ago. From the first time that I met her and Jerzy, I knew that these people were ones that I could call friends and not customers. Jocelyn was always in a high-spirited mood and full of everything great. My heart goes out to family at this time and I want them and everyone else to know "she and her family are truly the good ones in life" ... God Bless.

I was one of many lucky students to have Madame Couture-Nowak as a professor. I had her both semesters at Tech my sophomore year (2003-4) and had it not been for her, I might never have decided to pursue French for a major. Even the years after she was my professor I would run into her in Major Williams hall where her office was located and every time she saw me her face would light up at the sight of one of her French students and an immediate, "Bonjour! Ca va?!" would quickly follow. I wish I could have told her how much of an impact she had on my decision to become a French major but I am sure she knows now. Not only was she an understanding and compassionate teacher, she was a kind and genuine person and I will be forever grateful to have had the chance to know her. Vous nous manquerez a jamais Madame, a la prochaine.

Jocelyne Couture-Nowak, my French professor senior year, was killed during the massacre. I took the class to cover my world requirement, and brush up on my French. I didn't think anyone I knew was affected, being out of school for almost 5 years (and not in the college of business). I didn't really look at the victims until last night, to hard really to see the faces, names and life stories affected by this senseless act. Madame Couture-Nowak always made the class interesting, with different food & group work activities. . She was a very kind professor and would go out of her way to make sure everyone understood the material. The class was a normal fun class, the kind I took for granted of how typical my college experience was at VA Tech. I am deeply saddened that the next generation won't have the same typical memories. However, I am proud of my future fellow alumni; they have handled themselves with grace and dignity. Also, the nation pulling together supporting the Hokie Nation shows all of us we will never forget, but we will overcome.

My heart goes out to the families & friends of the victims. Please keep them in your prayers.

Madame, I could never hope to meet a kinder person. You inspired me to continue studying french, which in turn lead me to this study abroad experience, which has been one of the best in my life. For that, and for your smile every day in class, and for your telling me that I was reasonably good at french when it was blantantly obvious that I was terrible at it, I thank you. I thank you for continuing to care about me after I was no longer in your class, and for brightening my every day at starbucks by paying at least a brief visit. Know well that as long as my heart beats, as long as the heart of any student you have ever taught beats, you will be remembered with a smile, and a thanks.

A la prochaine Madame.