What do President Dr. Ray Keck, Library Director Rodney Webb, Dr. Lem Landos Railsback, Dr. Norma Elia Cantú, and Dr. Frances Gates Rhodes have in common? They are all individuals who were influenced by the character and friendship of Dr. F. Allen Briggs. On Thursday, March 5, the Great Room on the third floor of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library was the scene of the F. Allen Briggs Folklore Collection dedication.Relatives, friends, and strangers showed up to remember Dr. Briggs and to share stories about an educator who was a full-time mentor, father, and teacher. Dr. Briggs, a voice of reason and compassion, was a constant figure in Dr. Keck’s stories about his early days in Laredo, Dr. Cantú’s presentation on the folklore of Laredo, and Dr. Railsback’s tales about his days in college.”He was a very wise man and could often cut right to the chase and see solutions before others even realized that there was a problem,” said Rhodes.The road to the dedication ceremony was long: Dr. Rhodes spent nearly a year getting in touch with Dr. Briggs’ children.”I also visited with Jeanette Hatcher, Special Collections librarian, and delivered the cumulation of years of student folklore projects to her to begin what I wanted to be called the F. Allen Briggs Folklore Collection. She has been working with the collection for about six or seven months now.” The next step in the process for Rhodes was to speak to Webb.”(Webb) made the decision to use the dedication ceremony for this collection as the first of a planned series of community outreach programs under the auspices of the Killam Library,” said Rhodes.”I didn’t know Dr. Briggs,” said TAMIU alumnus Albert Ramirez, “but I walked away from the ceremony cheerful because of how happy he made everyone when they spoke of him….I was also sad because I didn’t get the chance to meet him.”For the students in attendance who did not know Dr. Briggs, Rhodes had this message for them:”I hope they realize one person can make a difference. If they approach their own teaching careers understanding this, they might well develop into those people who do make a difference.”In attendance were Dr. Briggs’ children James, Garrett, Jan, and Marylyn as well as his granddaughter, Caris Thetford. “Thank you for making my parents feel welcome in Laredo, for making my dad belong here, and for inviting us back here tonight to remember him,” Garrett Briggs said to the room filled with friends and well-wishers. “We will remember this night for the rest of our lives.”