Letters to the Editor

Editor,
Thanks for keeping the issues of Crimson & Gold coming ­ and for the large type and sharp contrast provided in your pages for those of us whose eyesight "ain't what it used to be."
The Spring '99 issue was interesting ­ but really didn't reflect what many of us who went through Ferris Institute on the G.I. Bill remember as the primary tradition of the '40s and '50s.
While many (or most) of us would not have been able to afford any advanced education without the "bill," the tradition that drew us to Ferris was the knowledge that as long as we worked, kept up our grades, and contributed to the community, we would get that education, regardless of ability to pay.
We had the Alumni Hall, and a new Business and Cosmetology wing was being erected. Some new dorms were going up ­ but our main buildings were quonset huts that adorned the central part of campus.
Usually ­ traditionally, I guess ­ we all grouped together, had coffee together, and worked together on community and service projects. This included the people in T&I, Business and Pharmacy.
Sure, we all had our own "special interest groups" ­ mine happened to be the discharged active-duty veterans who were lucky enough to benefit from the "G.I. Bill." (We were the "old guys" on campus.)
Times change ­ but nowhere in the issue do I see any mention of the founding philosophy of an education for anyone who would work for it and earn it.
Maybe this is no longer true.
Maybe times have changed too much!

Bob Hanson (B'58)
Seneca, Calif.

P.S. For a school of over 100 years in age, it seems a shame there are no traditions worth remembering from the early days.

Editor,
I just received my Spring 1999 Crimson & Gold. Many thanks for all of your articles regarding the traditions (old and new) and heritage of Ferris State University.
This issue was very well written. Keep up the good work.

Donna (Duddles) Delf (B'61)
Bartow, Fla.

Editor,
Nice C&G edition. Very smart looking and informative. Keep up the good work.

John Montgomery
Advertising Faculty

Editor,
Enjoyed the latest edition of Crimson & Gold, featuring the "Ferris Tradition" theme. You noted "that space constraints precluded mentioning more than a handful of FSU traditions...and cherished customs" but hoped it would "spark new ideas."
I would like to suggest that one of Ferris' most popular traditions involves its greatest identity symbol: Old Main's Bell Tower.
On the night it fell prey to flames (February 21, 1950), a host of men and women fought the intense blaze in an attempt to save it. Bucket brigades were formed. Students were injured by falling debris.
Moreover, despite the campus having been laid waste, the Ferris community triumphed over adversity: Arising Phoenix-like out of the ashes.
The story of the fate of that campus icon is worth telling. Please consider doing so. Perhaps you could publish color photographs of Old Main ­ which rivaled the uniqueness of Notre Dame's Golden Dome and Penn State's clock tower. It was a classic ­ akin to the type of architecture Grand Valley State is emulating. Keep up the excellent work.

Steve Savickas (T'81)

Editor,
Yes, I did enjoy the "Ferris Traditions" issue. What I always find intriguing is how many alumni are now employed in an area which was not their major at Ferris. For instance, Governor George H. Ryan was a Pharmacy graduate, yet he is in politics. I observe other such patterns in the "Class Notes." I myself was in Printing (I just discovered it is now "Visual Communication")* and am in church ministry. I think that this highlights the importance of what used to be called the "General Education" courses many of us simply tolerated taking, just so we could graduate.
Also, I like to observe how many alumni left Michigan and how many remain in the state for employment. Are Ferris graduates prepared to work in communities which do not resemble the ones we were raised in, as well as non-campus, or academic communities? This would underscore the importance of some sort of cross-cultural education.
Again, I continue to look forward to receiving every issue of Crimson & Gold.

David Coffin, Pastor (T'76)
Montpelier, OH

*Editor's Note: Printing and Visual Communication are separate programs. Ferris offers an A.A.S. and a B.S. in Visual Communication, a B.S. in Printing Management and an A.A.S. in Printing Technology.

Editor,
I was impressed with the Spring 1999 Crimson & Gold. What a wonderful idea to feature traditions. There are so many in the history of Ferris. I'm sure many of the pictures and stories brought back fond memories to many, many alumni. Congratulations to you and others responsible for publishing a first-class newsmagazine.
Just one little correction on p. 19. The section "A Tradition of Music" has a line ­ "Music courses have been listed in Ferris catalogs since 1904." Actually, a catalog in 1894-95 (possibly the first catalog) of the Ferris Industrial School mentioned music as an offering in the department of Elocution. I've enclosed an excerpt from my doctoral dissertation on Music in the History of Ferris et al. Who knows, maybe someone researching Ferris history 50 years from now will refer to your Spring 1999 Crimson & Gold. It is best to have accurate information.
Again, a great issue. Really first class.

Dacho Dachoff

Editor's Note: During his tenure with Ferris State, Dr. Dachoff held positions as Band Director, Orchestra Director and Special Assistant to the President for the Arts.

Letters to the editor may be directed by mail, fax or e-mail. Crimson & Gold reserves the right to edit for length, style and clarity.

Editor,
I read with dismay your recent article in the Crimson & Gold entitled, "Traditions Kept, Traditions Broken" Specifically I'm referring to the statement from Tom Walsh concerning prayer at commencement. "I had noticed that schools were getting away from the invocation, so at some point we did away with it too. I don't know if that was good or bad. Why do something that's going to be an issue?" Perhaps Mr. Walsh doesn't consider prayer an issue worth taking a stand for. I do. I hope that FSU will reconsider ­ and return to the tradition of giving thanks and asking blessings on the graduates. God is a universal concept. The vast majority of people in this world believe in God (a.k.a. higher power, supreme being or whatever other form individuals may choose to perceive him). Please take a stand ­ take a few moments of the commencement ceremonies to pray.

Deanna (Gitchell) Johnson
Business '80

Mail:
Editor, Crimson & Gold
Ferris State University
West 100, 330 Oak Street
Big Rapids, MI 49307-2031

Fax: (231) 591-2985

E-mail: editor@ferris.edu

First Annual
Benefit

Saturday, November 5, 1999
Egypt Valley Country Club, Ada, MI
Seating is limited, $200 per person
Call (231) 591-3825 Black Tie Optional