LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Teacher Education
Outstanding
How fortunate are those future teachers who complete WVU's five-year
teacher education program! ["A New Approach to Teacher Education,"
Spring 2002, p. 13.] The solution to improving our nation's schools
lies not only in revamping the curriculum, but in turning out
better-prepared teachers. WVU, as usual, is at the forefront.
WVU's innovative and comprehensive teacher education program
prepared me far better than the programs fellow graduates experienced
at their colleges and universities. We received not only excellent
secondary methods instruction, but in-depth methods instruction
in our majors (in my case, foreign languages). I'm not surprised
that WVU is again leading the way in teacher education and I
applaud the philosophy of the new program. As Loris Malaguzzi,
the Italian early childhood education specialist, said, "Learning
and teaching should not stand on opposite banks and just watch
the river flow by; instead, they should embark together on a
journey down the water. Through an active, reciprocal exchange,
teaching can strengthen learning how to learn."
M. Brigid Waszczak '70 B.A.
Tucson, Arizona
Abraham Had
One Faith
I read with interest President Hardesty's opening remarks in
the Spring 2002 issue. He mentions the courses of study for the
semester and the fact that one was titled "The Faiths of
Abraham." As a Baptist with years of Biblical training,
I can tell you that Abraham had only one faith.
Phyllis P. Nitshe
Monroeville, New Jersey
Almost Heaven
Just received your alumni magazine. I congratulate you on your
fine publication. I enjoy reading about the University events,
and the folk who once attended. Keep up the fine journalism.
I'm a graduate of WVU in '50; many moons ago. Still love those
W.Va. hills. I was born, reared, and edcucated in my beloved
state: "Almost Heaven."
Albert Whitlatch '50 M.A.
Wolsey, South Dakota
One Line Not
Enough
I would like to call to your attention
of what I believed to be an oversight in the latest alumni magazine
[Summer 2002]. Listed in the alumni deaths was a Louis F. Kalmar,
'42 B.S., Savannah, Ga. If I'm not mistaken, "Lou"
was an outstanding basketball player on the team that won the
NIA Championship, and was decorated for his role as a navy artillery
spotter during the Normandy Invasion.
When growing up I lived WVU Sports. I watched practice, helped
clean locker rooms, etc. (and sneaked into football games).
I just feel that Lou deserves more than a one-line death notice.
Charles R. Fullmer '50 B.A.
Lady Lake, Florida
Good Job
As a former editor of the West Virginia University Alumni
Magazine, some 40 years ago, I write to congratulate you
for doing such a good job. While I no longer see magazines from
other universities, my judgment tells me that you have succeeded
in bringing WVU's alumni magazine into the front rank of such
publications. Congratulations and best wishes.
David Nichols '59 B.S.J., '61 M.A.
Round Hill, Virginia
Montani Semper
Liberi
By Donna Bradley McGlone '76
M.S.
Tallmadge, Ohio
I looked down from Masada
to the Dead Sea's arid plain.
I saw the view from Pike's Peak
of the Rocky Mountain chain.
From the high hills of Oahu,
I beheld the tropic rainbow's hue.
From the Dingle in east Ireland—
the windy ocean view.
On the Blue Ridge of Virginia,
I marveled at such beauty rare!
But to the hills of West Virginia,
I found none to quite compare.
To the mountains of my childhood,
where I roamed without a care,
where I learned with perseverance,
I could climb them if I dared.
"Don't give up until you get there,"
I could hear my father speak.
"Give it everything you've got
until you reach the highest peak!"
Montani Semper Liberi—
Mountaineers are Always Free.
I'm so glad God placed these mountains
in my life to challenge me!