In order to help the student financially, her professor sent her $1,000 over Venmo—just because.
Kim’s former professor, Lynn Matheny, checked in on the college student via email after she dropped the course this past fall. In a lengthy response, Kim explained her mental health and financial stability had shaken in 2020. After a suicide attempt, which she recovered from, Kim took a leave from college to focus on paying her bills.
The student, no longer enrolled in classes, was forced to move out of her college dorm and into her own housing with no support from family or friends. “As of now, I’m still concerned because D.C. is closing indoor dining from the 23rd to the 15th which means I would not be able to make enough money as I would need for rent and food,” Kim’s email read.
It continued with a spot of hope. “In the light of all of these misfortunes, I am somehow alive!” Kim wrote. “Thank you for being the only person in my life besides my partner who actively reached out to check on me; it means the world to me.”
Kim ended the email by revealing she planned to retake the class with Matheny in the spring or fall. And Matheny responded with a heartwarming message of strength. “I am so sorry to learn of your difficult, difficult fall. But it is a testament to your strength that you have found a way to find temporary housing as well as a job,” Matheny wrote. “Rather than looking back and feeling guilt or shame, look ahead and be proud that you are demonstrating great courage and managing to put one foot in front of the next, even with so much uncertainty ahead.”
Matheny requested Kim’s Venmo information and delivered the $1,000 donation. Kim shared the exchange on Twitter, and it’s been liked over 251,000 times. So many Twitter users responded with gratitude for the kind moment. Others took the opportunity to bully Kim by stating she must have had a physical relationship with the teacher, something Kim was forced to deny in a follow-up tweet. Some even started scamming Venmo users by pretending to be Kim.
A handful of replies also assumed the exchange was fake, but some chimed in with support. “Lynn Matheny was my professor senior year omg this is so kind,” wrote @ohh_livi_yuhh. “wishing you the best, hoping more blessing come pouring in.”
Others made jokes about their own professors. “And my professor yelled at me over zoom when I requested an extension for my paper after I got hit by a car walking to work…” said @ohmygodwhy3.
If you have thoughts of suicide, confidential help is available for free at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-8255. The line is available 24 hours every day.
