From Skid Row to Success
I have just finished reading
John Gedney's article, "From Skid
Row to Huntington Avenue: How University College, AA, and a dog reclaimed
a life," from the January issue and feel
compelled to write this brief note. Mr. Gedney's story is as fascinating
as Mr. Gedney is inspirational. From the School of Hard Knocks to the School
of Hard Texts, Mr. Gedney's life shows us that with self-determination
and hard work, one can overcome adversity. His is a success story from
which we can all learn that life is what you make it.
Shawn W. Murphy, MA'92
Keeseville, New York
Planting Trees at Tobin
Upon reading the story "Mission Possible:
The First Tobin Scholars Arrive" in January's issue, I was moved
by the progression of the Tobin Scholars program. Having learned about
the program during my senior year at N.U., I admired N.U.'s commitment
to community outreach. I realize that these students in particular have
had challenging circumstances to overcome. Because N.U. was willing to
be involved in the successes of its community, the Tobin Scholars program
gave hope to young people who may not have dared to dream. It is my hope
that N.U. continues this tradition and perhaps solicits alumni donations
specific for this undertaking, knowing that "a civilization flourishes
when people plant trees under whose shade they will never sit."
Doug Hurley, BA'91
Woodstock, Connecticut
Robert's Misrule
Holbrook Robinson's article about faculty senate meetings [Talk of the Gown, January] reminded me about a local
art club meeting I attended several years ago. The president of the group,
struggling valiantly to follow Robert's Rules of Order, querulously asked,
"Is there a second to the movement on the floor?" There wasn't.
Karen Kelley Hankla, N'73
Georgetown, Maine
Economic Stimulation
Upon reading the most recent issue [January], I feel compelled to respond
to the E Line "Q+A" section with
Professor Barry Bluestone. Professor Bluestone says that the economy
has been good for Bill Clinton. I agree, but I would suggest that the Clinton
administration has also done many good things to keep the economic growth
in motion. The Treasury Department has specifically implemented programs
which have "massaged" many left-behind areas of the economy.
The good economy could be prolonged even more (perhaps another five to
eight years) if discretionary "massaging" is extended to some
of the more remote regions which have yet to benefit.
James D. Hobbs, MBA'70
Marietta, Georgia
Sports, Health, and Waterworks
In the article in the Sports, Health, and Wellness special section ["Exercise
for Staying Fit or Getting Healthy," January] by Hope Green, there
is a statement: "Whatever your routine . . . drink sixteen ounces
of water every twenty minutes." I cannot drink that much while running,
etc. Has anyone ever been able to drink that much? That is six eight-ounce
glasses of water in one hour of exercise!
Russ Rosander, AS'94
East Sandwich, Massachusetts
Saluting ROTC
Some things never change. The Army has always had a need for quality
officers and Northeastern continues to provide them. Though the ROTC program
(and the Army) is only a fraction of its peak size, the need for educated,
multifaceted Army officers continues. The program, along with the entire
university experience, helped prepare me for service in Haiti less than
a year after graduation. Most of my friends were also deployed to Korea,
Panama, Bosnia, or Haiti right out of school. The faculty prepared us by
teaching us how to think and the ROTC cadre taught us how to be officers.
I'm grateful to both of them and also to your magazine for making ROTC
your November cover story ["Fighting for
Survival"].
Daniel Zeytoonian, BA'94
Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Zeytoonian is a captain in the U.S. Army.
I was especially interested in the article
on ROTC at N.U. because my son, David, BA'85, joined ROTC and is now
a major in the U.S. Army. For the past three years he was on the engineering
faculty at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, teaching operations research
and systems engineering. Last June he relocated to Seoul, South Korea,
where he's working very closely with the Republic of Korea army-putting
into practice what he taught at West Point.
Douglas R. Briggs, E'51
Corning, New York
Centennial Issue Celebration
I thoroughly enjoyed Herb Hadad's essay ["Bulletin from the Bicentennial:
What Wonders the Next Century Will Bring," September 1998] and thought
it both creative and problematic. I hope that Herb continues to contribute
his special flair for wit combined with genuine thoughtfulness in future
articles. I also very much enjoyed the piece on the undefeated football
team ["That Glorious Season: The Making of Northeastern's Greatest
Team Ever"]. I went to the homecoming game last year and attended
the Jim Thornton memorial brunch before the game and visited with many
old friends. I look forward to each issue of your magazine.
Malcolm Hill, LA'59
Holbrook, Massachusetts
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