Letters

On tweeting history

I thought “Atomic Disruption” (summer 2014) and the related video were fascinating. As a retired history teacher, I am always interested in seeing history being examined through new means.

Harry Schooley
Williamsville, N.Y.

Life lessons

I am writing to congratulate Matt Knowles ’15 on his outstanding article “Out of Darkness” (summer 2014).  Not only was it interesting and well-written, but of course it also conveyed a very important real-life lesson, one that Mr. Knowles learned, but that all of us should also learn.

Howard M. Liebman ’74, MA’75
Brussels, Belgium

Thank you, Jean

Jean Brooks at Frank Dining Hall

I just read the story about Jean Brooks, Frank Dining Hall cashier (“Beloved cashier battles cancer; students respond, Summer 2014”) and I had to write. Back in 1999–2000, I was a terrified, homesick first-year. That year was a struggle for me as I adjusted to the demanding schoolwork and new environment.

Yet every morning, as I walked into Frank for breakfast to start my day, there was a ray of sunshine — Jean. I’m sure she had no idea how much her warm smile and kind words meant to me each morning. She truly made a difference in my life that difficult year.

Lauren Fisher Thomas ’03
Alpharetta, Ga.

The Ad(dams) Building?

“Now there is one place that has always given me the creeps.” Banter, November 1954, pg. 15.

The summer 2014 Colgate Scene was impressive — very nice looking. I was particularly impressed by the article about what used to be the old university library (“Colgate’s Front Door, Summer 2014”).

I just had to send you a copy of a full-page cartoon I did of the old library (Banter, November 1954, pg. 15). Although it was our “Turkey Issue,” that was a sort of Halloween cartoon. Jimmy McFarland ’57 collaborated on it with me.

I always did think that the old library belonged in a Charles Addams cartoon. And maybe he did use it in part as a model for his famous Addams Family house.

Keep up the great work!

Jim Berrall ’56
Fairfield, Pa.

Divine inspiration in Colgate songs

One cannot explain the words in Colgate songs other than that they were divinely inspired.

In “In 1819,” we are told, “Thirteen prayers were said with rapt devotion / Thirteen dollars set the thing in motion,” and, more important, to “live true to the mem’ry “ (bring hope and love to all the world — Colgate’s founding and eternal purpose).

The alma mater tells of twilight falling in “fair Chenango” (fair means friendships, which last for a lifetime), and “In their dreaming, ere thy name returns.” During my nights of sleep, I have dreamed many times of Colgate scenes, with the most frequent message being Colgate’s emphasis on love, mercy, tolerance, forgiveness, friendliness, civility, and old-fashioned manners. The most important dream of my life was of coming out of the woods to the right of the Reid Center and Huntington Gym feeling terrible and saying, “If I can just get there and work out, I will be healed.” (Wherever I am, that means a fitness club, a football field, or a beach for a workout.)

In the Colgate Hymn, we are told to reverently raise our voices to “the guardian of our youth.” If we love others and stay fit, we will be forever young.

A football song says, “Foes shall bend their knees before us.” As former football coach Fred Dunlap ’50 said, “Colgate teaches people to strive for the impossible” and “I see us as a little place out in the woods ready to take on the world.”

All Colgate songs make me think of former football coach Hal Lahar, whose love, friendliness, and positive thinking inspires me every day.

Everyone should get Tom Vincent’s book on Colgate songs.

Edward T. O’Donnell Jr. ’70
Philadelphia, Pa.

Editor’s note: The 21st Century Colgate Song Book is available at the Colgate Bookstore.

Thank your mentors

I graduated from Colgate in 1956. I am now 80 years old. Before I went to Colgate, I did not play football, but after I left there, I played many years of professional football. But, this is not about me.

I wish to urge any young person connected with sports, or otherwise involved, to recognize that life is fleeting, and years go by while opportunities are missed. Therefore, I suggest to anyone who had their lives significantly altered in a positive way by another person like a coach to quietly and in private thank them for what they did for you.

When we are young, we tend to see life as almost everlasting, with a notion of many more years to come. Don’t pass up an opportunity to express your feelings, with no motive other than to say “thank you.” You will always be happy you did.

You shared common goals and challenges with them, with the ever-present will to succeed that is built into athletic competition.

My thanks went, and still goes, to two coaches, Hal Lahar and Howie Hartman. I have always appreciated their life-changing roles in my early years.

Milt Graham ’56
Yarmouth Port, Mass.

colgate.edu/news

Colgate news website

“Video: A special guest joins the Class of 2018”

Shared on Twitter

Follow @colgateuniv
Nadifa Mohamed @thesailorsgirl
Sep 11

@colgateuniv This will be my first ever twitter interview, starting at midnight for any British insomniacs.

— Nadifa Mohamed (@thesailorsgirl) September 11, 2014

Muturi Njeri ’15 @Murituz Sep 11

Loved the #LivingWriters conversation between @colgateuniv and @thesailorsgirl. Let me get back to reading #TheOrchardOfLostSouls.

— Muturi Njeri (@Murituz) September 12, 2014

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May 27, 2014 Colgate on Jeopardy!

Photo via Danielle Iwata ’15

Gail ’88 ’n Stewart Rauner Awesome! Funny to think Colgate would be the clue for the entire state of New York.

Sara Halpern ’08 How many points was it worth? Hopefully 130 or 1300.

Rick Sause ’11 All those years as a tour guide and I don’t think I remembered to say the “13 articles” part even once.