Letters - Fall 2010
“Au revoir to my mom”
by Nancy Averett (IntAf’89), which was beautifully written and poignant, expressed a theme consistent to many as we age [page 36, June Coloradan]. Since we can’t put old heads on our own young shoulders, all we can do is pass along to our kids what our parents did for us. I hope Averett’s piece and similar ones by her get more exposure.
Bonnie F. McCune&Բ;(ʲ⳦’66)
Denver
Coloradan kudos
The Coloradan is one of the best-written, best-looking magazines I get. You’re doing a terrific job. I congratulate you. I majored in English literature and seriously loved every minute I was at Boulder. I had wonderful professors and worked in the summer for the Colorado Shakespeare Festival.
Linda Urbach&Բ;(Բ’62)
Bridgeport, Conn.
Kennedy assassination
As with countless other alumni I was struck by the beauty and serenity of the photograph of Old Main, with the snow-covered campus and Flatirons in the background, that appeared on pages 34 and 35 of the March 2010 Coloradan. In viewing it I was immediately drawn back to my days at CU, and most specifically the afternoon of Nov. 22, 1963. Along with my roommate “Rebel,” I stood on the roof of Old Main and we lowered the flag to half mast. This was an event I will always remember, and the exceptional photograph by Casey A. Cass brought me back to campus and that horrific day when we lost a president.
Michael H. Logan (Գٳ’67)
Knoxville, Tenn.
From baseball to immigration
Many of us here at Sewall loved reading the wonderful article in the June 2010 edition of the Coloradan that featured faculty member Tom Zeiler and his “American History through Baseball” course. The course is offered at Sewall every spring and it is a huge hit with the undergraduates.
The Sewall Residential Academic Program offers residents wonderful programmatic opportunities, including the Dialogues on Immigrant Integration program. It facilitates conversations between immigrant housing and dining staff and students to promote an honest and respectful conversation about immigration and immigrant integration. Since it began three years ago, Dialogues has fostered new respect and understanding among participants.
Martha Dunne Shernick
Sewall Residential Academic Program assistant
After playing for Montreal, Jackie Robinson enjoyed a successful career as a Los Angeles Dodger, breaking baseball’s color barrier at age 28 in 1947. Major League Baseball retired his number, 42, in 1997 on the 50th anniversary of Robinson joining the major leagues but allowed players who already had it to wear the number until they finished their career.
Thanks for the chuckles provided by the caption under the photo of Jackie Robinson in your piece on professor Tom Zeiler’s course, “American History Through Baseball’’ [June 2010 Coloradan]. “Jackie Robinson enjoyed a successful career as a Los Angeles Dodger . . .’’
Most every kid in 1940s and 1950s America knew that, in the majors, Robinson played only for the team that called Ebbets Field home in Flatbush, N.Y., a bit east of Los Angeles. Some may even recall the bums moved to Los Angeles in 1958, two years after Robinson retired.
Word in the dugout is that you’ve received a near-record number of letters on this one. Right?
Franklin Bell&Բ;(dzܰ’70)
Bluemont, Va.
After playing for Montreal, Jackie Robinson enjoyed a successful career as a Los Angeles Dodger, breaking baseball’s color barrier at age 28 in 1947. Major League Baseball retired his number, 42, in 1997 on the 50th anniversary of Robinson joining the major leagues but allowed players who already had it to wear the number until they finished their career.
Jack Roosevelt Robinson never played for the Los Angeles Dodgers (whoever they are). He played only for the Brooklyn Dodgers and retired before the team moved West. The photo of Jackie on page 26 of the June Coloradan shows him in front of the Brooklyn clubhouse.
Marshall Brodsky&Բ;(’78)
Denver
[Editor’s Note: We goofed! We heard from several of you who caught this error in the photo cutline regarding Jackie Robinson and the Brooklyn Dodgers. We are deeply embarrassed but glad our alums are reading the Coloradan very mindfully. Thanks for taking the time to write and set the record straight.]
Higman memories
Your March 2010 issue of the Coloradan featuring Howard Higman (Art’37, MSoc’42) revived a long-cherished memory for me and I thank you [“Dialing for dignitaries,” pages 28-32].
While working on one of his committees I met R. Buckminster Fuller and Mrs. Fuller standing alone in the deserted hallway in front of the room where he was to speak. Following proper courtesies between us, he reached down and picked up two programs, carefully handing one to his wife. Whereupon she looked at him and softly said, “We should get some more of those for the grandchildren.” And they did.
I was immediately moved by the common thread of humanity that weaves among the celebrated and the ordinary alike.
Sonia S. Smith&Բ;(Բ’59)
La Jolla, Calif.