Dr. Tomlin Paul came to the Office of the Deputy Principal with Turikumwe, a word from one of Rwanda’s languages — a place where he last worked — meaning “we are together.” And we were. This is how we experienced him, and how we will remember him.

We celebrate the life of Dr. Paul and value deeply the time spent with him during his tenure. He was larger than life in his presence yet humble in spirit. We enjoyed his energy and the richness he brought to the office. Genuine in character, he was an amazing human being. We loved him, and he was well loved by all.

There was never a wall around him. He was approachable and reachable by both staff and students. He cared about you personally and professionally, supporting your development and advancement. He encouraged work–life balance and valued, supported, and enjoyed our team functions and the building of interpersonal relationships.

He led with integrity — respectable and respectful, level-headed and calming — responding gently to whatever arose. He showed true leadership while remaining considerate and kind. He was fully present and made others feel heard.

Grounded in his faith, a true man of God, this was evident in every part of his personhood. He was a fighter for dignity, believed in people, and paved the way for others to be great. He lived fully and laid a strong foundation.

Turikumwe. We were together — and because of Dr. Paul, we remain so.