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In the last issue, we offered “13 Ways to Find Summer Fun in Madison County.” Online, readers weighed in and added their favorites:
I can’t think of anything much better than sitting on a deck on Lake Moraine with a big coffee and a line in the water in the morning.
Derek Peplau ’95
I spent the summer of my junior year working in the chemistry lab, and I loved spending the weekends taking long bike rides on back roads. So beautiful and peaceful.
Lydia McNally ’84 Danenberg
The correct answer is playing Seven Oaks Golf Club.
Jamie Foley ’94
Amplifying Voices
Powerful article, LeRoy Potts Jr. ’85 (“Owning Up to the Past and Fixing the Present,” summer 2022). Thank you for sharing. So proud of you and the efforts you have made to amplify the voices and stories of those who are sometimes voiceless and without an advocate.
Veronica McFall ’89
Thank you for your compassion and important work. Through a deeper understanding of our own histories and struggles, we can empathize with the plight of others, fear less, and advocate for the human rights policies needed by all.
Amy Silva ’79
Exemplary Leadership
Aldrin [Rafael Bonilla ’92], congratulations and best wishes in leading the COVID Task Force (“On Task,” summer 2022). What a great honor, recognizing your leadership skills and keen organizational insights, all in a voluntary capacity. This country needs more people and leaders such as you.
Mark L. Krinsky ’67
A Teacher for Teachers
Responses to “Leading ‘a Friendly Revolution’: James E. Clarke,” summer 2022:
All I ever wanted to do was teach, but at the time, there was only a secondary education teaching program. He sat with me and the course catalog, and we put together courses to make my own major. It became a formal major by my senior year. His commitment to teach outside-of-the-box approaches to prospective teachers inspired many to become great teachers
Heather Lubking ’84 Brown
Had him as my freshman seminar professor and still recall the dinners at his house for our class. What an intro to the “small liberal-arts college” experience.
Goldie Blumenstyk ’79
Larger Than Life
I was quite moved when reading the nice memorial regarding Brad Ashford ’71 (“The Independent-Minded Moderate,” summer 2022). My memory of the young Brad was quite vivid. In early September 1967, I had just been dropped off by my dad at the school’s orientation, as he needed to leave early to head back for a six-hour trip to central Massachusetts. I was unpacking my stuff in Dodge Hall, not knowing a soul, except for one of my new roommates…. This very large man approached me with very large hands, and proceeded to shake my much smaller hand, and, with a large smile and big voice, boomed out, “Hi there, I am Brad Ashford
and hail from the great state of Nebraska!” I felt better right away! Now [how] hard would it be to adjust to this new, foreign school, when greeted by such a terrific guy? As the four years went by, at times, we were in the same classes, [and] at times we were not. However, anytime I had the occasion to see Brad in those years, he always had [a] huge smile and that warm personality. I was not surprised at all reading about his many successes after he graduated, and his eventual climb to become a congressman.
Alan Rome ’71
Faithful Alumnus
I am writing to thank you, profoundly, for your “Acts of Faith” article (spring 2022) issue. I came to Colgate in the fall of 1957 to major in history; I graduated in 1961 with a major in philosophy-religion. That department opened my eyes to whole new vistas. The University chaplain in those days was Robert V. Smith, and the associate chaplain was Donald L. Berry. Those two men would be absolutely delighted to see how opportunities for the development/deepening of faith have expanded at this time. Ken Morgan, the Chapel House “guru,” would join in that delight. Bob Smith and Don Berry were instrumental in urging me to go to graduate theological school and helped me to be accepted into Yale Divinity School. Your article brought back many memories, and continuing gratitude to Colgate for a truly meaningful education.
Ross B. Jackson ’61
A Transformative President
President Brian Casey’s snapshot message (“The Campaign for the Third Century,” spring 2022) is great, but everyone has got to hear him in person. Sheri and I heard Brian at the Presidents’ Club dinner in Hamilton and again in the chapel on reunion weekend. Inspirational! When our 50th Reunion Committee first met with Brian on April 1, 2017, to begin planning our celebration. I sensed then and firmly believe now that his will be a transformative presidency, leading to an extraordinary advance for Colgate. Brian Casey has Colgate leading a national conversation. My professional and personal life trajectory was put on the high road by Colgate faculty: Hartshorne, Terrell, Wardwell, and Stan, in particular. What reinvigorates and excites me in 2022 is the cadre of Mind, Brain, and Behavior Initiative faculty — Carrie Keating, Rebecca Shiner, Bruce Hansen, Ken Belanger, and others — who are the advance element of the Third Century at Colgate. Brian Casey is investing wisely in our faculty, as well as in our students, our athletics programs, and in the architecture of our beautiful campus. That night in 2017, he talked about the beauty of the architecture and a plan for elaborating that was clearly emerging. I look back 100 years to when Harry Emerson Fosdick’s (Class of 1900) sermons and books impacted the world; then I look ahead 100 years and am supremely confident that Brian Casey’s presidency will make a BIG, and a good, difference. Fosdick’s 1930 hymn is sung in the chapel — and around the world! Now is the time for new praises to be sung on campus, and around the world!
James Campbell Quick ’68