LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR
Parents Encouraged
Success
I read with interest your article about John O'Brien's new book
["At Home in the Heart of an Appalachian Writer," Spring
2002, p. 22]. I was struck by the difference between his father's
attitude and that of my mother and father. They were "blue
collar." My mother had four years of education. My father
had eight. They always encouraged us to get a good education
and "be somebody." My eldest brother graduated from
WVU and became a teacher. My second brother graduated from Marshall
University, Virginia Medical College, and the Mayo Clinic. He
became an M.D. and a radiologist. I earned two degrees at WVU
and a doctorate at the University of New Mexico. I became a professor.
We "got ahead," as encouraged by my parents.
Charles D. Wise '50, '51 M.S.
Milton, West Virginia
Tired of Work
I don't remember having received your magazine before. Thanks
for sending it. I received my B.S. in 1936. Following this I
got an M.D. from Hahnemann Medical School in 1938, then became
chief medical resident for the University of Wisconsin. After
a brief period I acquired the residence of the old Newkirk (Nieukirk)
Plantation in Monroeville, New Jersey, where I practiced internal
medicine until 1978. The stone-ground flour mill and the antique
shop have all been closed down, because I am tired of work.
G.A. Nitshe Jr. '36
Monroeville, New Jersey
Magazine is
Impressive
The alumni magazine has improved tremendously, and I am impressed
with the changes. Now, our magazine ranks with other alumni publications
around the country.
Maureen F. Crockett '59
St. Albans, West Virginia
An Excellent
Publication
Thanks for sending me the magazine. It is an excellent publication!
I truly enjoy hearing of the accomplishments and successes of
my fellow alumni.
Donna McGlone '76 M.S.
Tallmadge, Ohio
Crew Team
Won in 1980s
I'm afraid I must take exception to a comment in Judy Basnett's
letter to the editor in the Spring 2002 issue. Mrs. Basnett states:
"Prior to Tiff (her daughter), the women's crew team at
WVU had never won a race." This statement is incorrect.
The women's four-with won the Dad Vails Regatta in 1980. I don't
remember all the team members' names, as I started at WVU the
following fall and joined the crew team in spring of 1981. I
don't remember the coxswain or bow pair, but I remember "Rosen-Burns,"
Sue Rosen (stroke) and Kate Burns (no. 3). These two women were
my mentors as I began to learn how to row as a novice. During
the three years that I was a member of the WVU crew team, we
never won a major race, but we did win a few. We did remarkably
well, given that we were a club program with extremely limited
resources. There were times that I even coached, just to keep
the program going. I'm proud to say that I was a member of the
WVU crew team during its early days, and am even prouder to see
how well it has evolved.
Linda (Hook) Williams '84
Arvada, Colorado
Black Alumni
Story Disturbing
Your article "Reuniting WVU's Black Alumni" [Spring
2002] was somewhat disturbing to me, especially the comments
by John Mallory. I happened to be at WVU during the early part
of his attendance, and knew Roger Alford personally. Roger Alford
was a very outstanding person. What did Mr. Mallory expect from
WVU? He was there as a student-athlete, not for a social event.
I am sure the predominantly white campus presented a different
environment than his hometown. However, I very distinctly remember
it was a very receptive atmosphere to the black population, especially
the athletes. I was somewhat distanced from the social scene
of the campus, also. However, it was due to having to work almost
full-time to afford my education. Being a coal miner's son, it
was incumbent upon me to afford an education and earn the respect
of the general population. This article was very appalling. It
is high time for all those who feel left out to earn respect.
Respect cannot be purchased, even by the U.S. government. Thank
you, WVU, for giving me the opportunity to obtain the tools for
success. I did not go away feeling left out because I could not
afford to be in a social fraternity, or you did not have an economically
deficient coal miners' sons organization. I appreciate that you
gave me the opportunity to elevate myself to the level of being
able to send a child to the Wharton School of Business at the
University of Pennsylvania, where I would like to have gone.
However, the WVU School of Business afforded me the education
to succeed very well in life. You gave me the ball, I ran with
it!
Donald M. Bender '65
Raleigh, North Carolina