We received many submissions from readers with their recollections of the individuals pictured in the back cover photo of the August 2010 Bulletin. Thanks for sharing your memories!
Dear Editors,
A quick note of thanks … I enjoyed Professor Gould’s piece in the recent CC Bulletin on his “liberal arts philosophy” and the importance of “creating a safe place for courageous questions.” As parents, we raise our children with a set of values and worldviews and then watch in amazement as they try different ideas on for size. The things we ask of our children are that they be respectful of others’ views (even when they disagree with them), that they be skeptical and open-minded when they read and listen to ideas and that they be as informed (and curious) as possible about the world around them. We want our children to be able to critically think and to “play well with others.”
If my son is an example, then the work being done at Colorado College is helping shape good citizens. These young people will hopefully show us how to move away from 15-second sound bites, an intolerance of opposing views, and “gotcha” politics and to provide good examples for the importance of being involved and engaged. I could not agree more with Professor Gould that we must “hold politicians accountable for their actions” and have a healthy amount of skepticism for “elite solutions engineered on behalf of society without its input.” “Do as I say and not as I do” never worked in parenting and, not surprisingly, does not work in other areas of life. We should expect better of ourselves and of our politics. The best ideas and public policy are borne not out of anecdotes, bullying, or “high-minded notions,” but by having rigorous and honest debate about finding good solutions to tough problems.
It’s too bad that our political life has been hijacked by special interests on both sides of the ideological dial. Good people can disagree.
I applaud Professor Gould’s approach to protecting a classroom environment that values diversity in ideas and allows students to take risks in articulating a myriad of opinions as they journey toward self-discovery. Thank you for this important article.
N. Kantelis P’11
Dear Ms. Kulier and Ms. Weddell,
I was disappointed to see the cover of the August 2010 Bulletin that featured the graduate wearing a sombrero at the graduation ceremony. I recognize that liberal art colleges encourage creative thinking and individuality, but I fear the graduate with the sombrero may not have the maturity to understand the value of tradition and ceremony over their own self-interest. If everyone acted with so little respect, the graduation ceremony would become a circus.
I also recognize the joy of accomplishment (and relief for some) that students feel at graduation, but the fact remains that the graduation ceremony is a time-honored tradition — and one that is due its authority and respect. If a student chooses to not respect these traditions, that is their choice — which many would consider a poor choice. Although some may celebrate the values of individuality more than others, I strongly believe the college should not celebrate this graduate’s poor choice by featuring it on the cover of the Bulletin.
I hope this does not reflect the attitude of the college’s administration by encouraging individuality more than the sense of honoring respect and dignity at occasions where it is due. In my opinion, you made a poor choice, and by including the image on the cover of an official college publication, the college shares the poor choice.
Sincerely, Arthur Elder ’56
Hi there,
My mother, Barbara Baird Lundberg ’49 is sitting on the far left (she was really sunburned that day). She is now 83. She remembers the picture being taken. She was good friends with the editor of the magazine and she thinks that’s why she was asked to be in the picture. We know for sure it was either the fall of 1945 or the spring of 1946. My dad, Verner Lundberg ’48 also went to school there. That is where they met. They then married and transferred to University of Nebraska.
It’s kind of a neat story so I’ll share it with you. My dad was a Marine in World War II and came to Colorado College in 1944 in the Navy V12 program, which at the time the Marines went into. This program was in preparation for officer training school. Then the war ended and he went there for a year as part of the GI bill. He played offensive and defensive end on the football team.
My dad first set eyes on my mom at the student union and commented to one of his friends “There goes the gal I’m gonna marry.” She never noticed him. He learned that she was dating the quarterback on the football team, Billy Smith, who was also a Marine. So he did not ask her out at that time. But a good friend, Dick Minkler ’47 was dating Betty McDonnell, who was a Delta Gamma sorority sister with my mom, told Vern that Babs was going to practice touch football for a girl’s football game against upper classmen. He went to watch the girls – he was the only one in the stands. Babs coincidentally picked out a Colorado College jersey numbered 39 randomly out of a big pile – this was my dad’s number. At the practice she kicked the football into the stands (she didn’t even see him there) and my dad went to get it. He said, “I’ll get that Babs,” and she was surprised he knew her name.
That night after the game, Dick told Vern that Billy, the quarterback, broke up with her and she didn’t have a date that night. He called and asked her out. She couldn’t remember what he looked like and Marines kept walking in and she’d stand up and her friend, Dick, would say “No, that’s not him.” Finally, he came in and had a big black eye. That time my mom did not stand up. Well, they were all congratulating him for making the winning touchdown. Dick said, “That’s him.” They had a wonderful date and the rest is history. They have been married for 64 years, have five children, eight grandchildren and their first great-grandchild on the way. They have had a beautiful life and have shown all who know them what true love is. It all started at Colorado College…..
Best regards,
Lorri Hatfield
Re: August 2010 back cover
I know the two fellows for sure. They are Don (“Beast”) Milton ’48, standing, and Danny Goers, seated. I think Danny graduated a year or two later. I got to CC for spring semester in 1946 and graduated in 1949.
I think the girl with the tennis racket was Lou Doble ’49, who dropped out of CC later. Most of the other gals look familiar but I have forgotten their names. My guess is that this picture dates from 1947 or 1948.
Henry C. Klingman ’49
Dear Bulletin editors,
Re: Flagpole Loungers. I am fairly certain girl (PC woman) on the far left seated is Barbara Mason ’44. The one on the far right appears to be Susie Sweetser ’45 — at least the leg looks familiar. The one with the tennis racket tentatively identified as Ann Conway ’45 might be Penny Corya ’44. Two of the other girls look familiar but no names resonate. The men are totally unfamiliar, that that is not surprising as girl-watching was much more popular in the 1940s. I believe the photo was probably taken in 1942.
Nostalgically yours,
Robert R. Sweet ’43*
*Although the Class of 1943 lived in the primitive era of saddle shoes and ridge top skis, it was not blind to progress. Witness: The above was written on a manual typewriter, not with a quill pen.
This is a guess on the Earle Flagpole group: The girl, (wearing pearls) sitting behind the three girls in a row, looks like Lynn Jones, now Lynn Jones Dexter ’52, who lives in Denver. The blonde girl on the right in a checked jacket looks like Barbara Harvey. The boy to the right looks like Bob Rompre ’56. I’d guess 1948-49 on the date.
Bruce Kellner ’52
My father (Bill M. Smith ’47) identified the two men on the back of your August 2010 Bulletin and asked me to email you the information. Seated is Danny Goers and standing is Sam Hopper.
Best wishes,
Carol Adams
In responding to the request for information about the picture on the back cover of the August Bulletin, I feel confident in saying that the girl holding the covered tennis racquet is my sister, Ann Conway Hamill Dietz ’45. Another girl is holding a tennis racquet, but it does not have a cover on it.
To the right of Ann, or the girl with the dark colored sweater may be Dottie England. In that this picture was taken 67 or 68 years ago, my memory could be mistaken. She may have had a different first name. I suggest that you look in a year book for that time and check the likeness. I think she was a Delta Gamma, as Ann was.
Ann transferred out of CC for her junior and senior years. So, this picture was most likely taken in freshman or sophomore years of the class of 1945. She transferred to and graduated from St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame in Indiana.
In the recent bulletin, Anne Calvert Cross ’45 is mentioned in the obituaries. She and Ann were best friends, so I have many wonderful memories of the two of them together. Ann lived next door to my family on Wood Avenue.
I would like to mention that there were five of us Conway siblings who attended CC. My sister Frances Conway Murray and I graduated from CC. Jennie Conway Hughes, Bill Conway, and Ann attended the college, yet graduated from other colleges. Our brother Jack attended and graduated from an Eastern college.
I am the last of the Conway family, a family well known in Colorado Springs in the last century. My father, Frank Conway, was a prominent businessman. The last remaining entity of his many enterprises is the Alamo Hotel building which is now a historical preservation site.
It has been enjoyable for me to be in communication with my alma mater.
Sincerely
Regina (Gee Gee) Conway McKernan ’50
Re: Photo/OBC
Dear Editors,
The girl with the tennis racquet is Lucretia Doble ’49, KKG. She lives in Santa Fe, N.M. now. All the other gals, I think, are Kappas too. Wish I could remember their names! I bet the photo was taken in 1947.
Nancy B. Schlossser ’49
Dear Editors,
The gentleman on the far right of this photo was Earle Kissinger. He was from Canon City, Colo. He attended Colorado College but did not graduate there since he was called to active duty during the Korean War. Earle passed away here in Denver about six months ago. His wife lives in Littleton.
Constantine Theodoran ’52
Dear Editors,
Your picture is a puzzle. Even delving through my yearbooks didn’t solve everything but I’m pretty sure that the following people are in the photo: Martha Goss, Lucretia Doble ’49, Pat Mailhouse ’46, Jane Crocker Taylor ’48, Marianne Strauch Jennings ’47 and possibly Rex Hester ’47. The year is probably 1946.
Sincerely,
Sall Buckmaster ’47
Hi!
I don’t know who any of the people in the picture are, but the woman with the pearl necklace is wearing a Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority Key…maybe that will help! The Delta Zeta chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma came to CC in 1932.
Greek life was such an integral part of CC for so long. It is such a shame to see it lose its prominent place in the CC community.
Thanks for a great CC Bulletin!
Kellyan Coors Funk ’06
The man on the far right, leaning against the tiger statue looks very much like my classmate and good friend, Charles (Chuck) Leeper. We both graduated from CC in 1952. He and his wife now live in Arizona. I plan to check with him soon. Does he receive a copy of the Bulletin? If not, I will send him my copy.
I don’t recognize any others in the photograph. Do you have a more exact vintage for the photograph?
Richard D. Stacy ’52
Dear Editors,
As a student representative on President Kathryn Mohrman’s “task force” on classroom climate for minority students about 10 years ago, I feel I should add one note to Professor Gould’s excellent article (Creating a Safe Place for Courageous Questions in the Liberal Arts Classroom) in the August 2010 issue. Although one goal of promoting diversity on campus is to produce a diversity of views in the classroom, it is also vitally important to not alienate anyone from the classroom discussion. Such alienation is also likely to occur when a minority student is singled out to provide an “alternative viewpoint.” Introducing various viewpoints is the sole responsibility of the professor; minority students come to class to learn like any other student and such singling out may prevent their participation if they feel encumbered to somehow represent certain groups.
That said, I hope all students and faculty can express themselves in class, without the need for specific “training” about how to be sensitive. Sensitivity comes from paying attention to others’ views and allowing expressions of discomfort DURING a heated discussion. The professor’s role is to help create an environment where such exchanges can happen naturally without one view overwhelming another. I think this is what Professor Gould was promoting. I’m glad to see that classroom climate is something still being discussed, especially in the context of academic freedom.
Sincerely,
Alex Zolot ’01
Dear Editors,
The August issue of the Bulletin reminded us of why Colorado College is a special place. With each issue of the Bulletin, Martha and I search for names and articles concerning those friends who have had an important impact on Colorado College and on the lives of all of us who have invested a portion of our lives in strengthening its role as a place to receive a quality liberal arts education. The names of Jay Engeln ’74, Jane Cauvel, and Bill Hochman in this single issue must be placed among the long list of folks who have contributed so much to placing Colorado College on every list of the best liberal arts colleges in the country.
Also, there is some irony in this important history. While there were some faculty and administrators who in 1968 questioned whether a distinguished liberal arts college should be preparing its students to take their places in the nation’s schools, there was never any doubt in the mind of Lew Worner that Colorado College had a very special role to play in educating and training elementary and secondary school teachers. Very soon after I arrived on campus in 1968 Lew asked me to come to his office for a visit. He understood that I had, beyond my background in the plant sciences, a deep interest in science education and in the improvement of science education in the nation’s schools, and had for seven years been involved in the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study. He minced no words in conveying the message that he wanted Colorado College to prepare teachers for public school education and that he was interested in some of our best students becoming teachers. Lew always understood the difference between quality and quantity, be it our small ROTC program or the teacher education program, and he wanted the college to represent quality through thoughtfulness, open-mindedness, and compassion. As I left his office I fully understood he wanted to encourage my every effort and other faculty members interested in maintaining an outstanding program in teacher education.
By the time Jay Engeln had enrolled in his first several biology courses in about 1970 it was obvious to me that he not only had those behaviors that would allow him to become an outstanding biology teacher, but that he would someday be recognized as a leader in American education. At that time I was teaching not only several botany courses, but I was teaching the science methods courses for those students who planned careers in science education, K-12, and I could see in Jay a young man who was anxious to become a teacher and who considered the title of teacher as the highest calling one could achieve in life. In later years, as president of the National Association of Biology Teachers, as I traveled to visit classrooms and participate in national conferences, I continued to meet those outstanding science teachers who had attended Colorado College, and who held positions of leadership in American science education. We are extremely pleased that Jay in his new position will be reaching out to parents who are permitting the faculty to join with them in the education of their children.
With my arrival on campus I joined the teacher education committee and two of the key members of that committee were Jane Cauvel and Bill Hochman. They too had strong interests in the undergraduate education of teachers, and they too taught courses in the teacher education program. The members of that committee were collectively in agreement with President Worner that the very best education for all teachers was a liberal arts and science education.
Jane taught the philosophy of education course that I had an opportunity to sit in on during summer school when Martha was enrolled in the course. By the end of that challenging experience, I was convinced that no person should ever be permitted to become a teacher of any subject without being exposed to the body of literature that Jane presented so well. For more than a decade, Jane and I shared a course in the Indian studies program, and I came to respect her power as a scholar and teacher. Jane has always been a good listener, but when she finally speaks we all carefully listen. In her new position of leadership, respect for the ombuds office can and will be strengthened.
Bill always played a key role as the faculty worked to strengthen the core graduation requirements in the various departments. He held the education program to the same standards of excellence. “Watered down” was never a phrase that could be used to describe the education courses Bill wanted to see taught. I have through the years thought of Bill as the Tony Judt of the campus. He wanted nothing less than fair, honest, and open debates that encouraged all to participate in final decisions. As we all know, that is one of the principles on which his now famous Freedom and Authority course is based.
Since the collapse of our economic system in 2008, many of us have all been searching for that new drummer, those new criteria and standards of excellence by which we can plan for and judge the future. As long as we have students, teachers, and professors of the caliber of these three leaders, we can rest assured that the young are in good hands, and that this nation can regain the respect of the free world.
Jack Carter
Professor Emeritus of Biology
