CLASS OF 1957 | 2016 | ISSUE 1
Having retired from his orthopedic surgery practice some years past, Bill Pratt became involved in social justice issues in his home state of New Mexico. In 2014, he ran for the state legislature as an independent—failed to win but came away with the thought that many voters like the “independent” tag, kind of relevant in this election year. His focus is on improvement of conditions for vulnerable children. Bill’s website is drbillpratt27.org.
Another Bill—Bill LeSuer—retired recently as player assistant at the Presidio golf course in San Francisco. Located close to the heart of town, Presidio is truly a gem. I know, having played there myself back in the day. Sadly, he reports that he lost his wife of 33 years, Joan, last August. Our deepest condolences go out to you, Bill.
John Parkin and wife Penny have moved to Crystal Lake in northern Michigan, a vacation area they’ve enjoyed for some time, after selling their home in Bucks County, Pa. He got together in New York City before the holidays with Alpha Delt brothers George Willauer, Rod Henry, and others from surrounding classes of the ’50s. Rod has started a “dropbox” for ADP brothers who wish to share stories of the ’50s at rdhjjh@verizon.net.
John Allison reports the arrival of a great-granddaughter, born to granddaughter Gwynn and her husband, Sid.
It turns out that my lacrosse story in the December magazine continues to have legs (pun intended), a journalist’s delight yet also a form of curse. George Davies, our erstwhile class secretary for many years, was instrumental in the formation of the club. He cleared the way for it with administration, traveled far and wide to garner equipment, e.g. a trip to coastal Connecticut to commandeer fish netting for the goal, and arranged for field space on campus. The club soldiered on until 1958, at which time lacrosse was sanctioned as a varsity sport. Further, Herb Hinman writes that he, along with George, were initial recruits as players. Herb was undoubtedly in demand for his track prowess but thought twice about the game when he ran up against men waving sticks at perilously close range. Herb extends greetings to all from Whidbey Island, Wash. He and wife Betty celebrated their 53rd anniversary last year.
I want all to know that I am suspending my brief career in Wes’s sports history insofar as lacrosse is concerned.
Wesleyan University, 1910 to 1970: Academic Ambition and Middle-Class America by Dave Potts ’60 has understandably received praise in this magazine, as well as in other quarters. The Victor Butterfield years command a central part of the book, and our class is in the middle of that time. Many of our professors figure prominently in the narrative. Fred Millett went “from Milton to Morse Code” during World War II (the war years being an outstanding section of the book). The postwar years proved to be an active period for faculty recruiting by President Butterfield; hires included Carl Schorske (fresh out of OSS duty) and Norman O. Brown. Faculty remained all male. The eminent Clyde Olin Fisher—responding to a woman applicant for a teaching position in economics, counseled that such a move would “invite mental thrombosis on the part of the senior faculty.”
Not all of the commentary about our years is rosy. We were the “silent generation,” described as “docile note takers” (this from a Time magazine article). I take umbrage at this—yes, we took notes, but isn’t that part of the education process? At least we went to class.
Potts masterfully blends all of the principal university constituencies—administration, faculty, students, trustees—throughout the milestone events comprising the years covered. I guarantee to ’57 that it will prove to be a rewarding read. Oh—one more fact—our tuition in 1953 was $650.00. Not a bad return on investment, eh?
Art Typermass | AGType@msn.com
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