Letters policy
We invite letters of 300 words or fewer. Letters may be edited for clarity, style and space and will be published based on their relevance to issues discussed in Macalester Today. You can send letters by e-mail to: mactoday@macalester.edu. Or: Letters to the Editor, Macalester Today, College Relations, Macalester College, 1600 Grand Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105-1899.

Norm and Emily Rosenberg

I was inspired by the article on Norm and Emily Rosenberg in Macalester Today ["Past Masters," Spring issue]. They inspired me in 1980. They inspire me today. I just cited one of Emily's books in an article I wrote.

From July 2005 to January of 2006, I was appointed Foreign Research Fellow at Tokyo University. Amazing that I have now lived in Japan eight of the last 25 years! Thanks, too, to Jerry and Aiko Fisher for inspiring me in regards to Japan.

Kenneth L. Port '83
Stillwater, Minn.

As a prospective student, I attended one of Norm Rosenberg's classes, "U.S. History Since 1945." For the first time in a classroom, I heard fresh, radical and smart ideas. I was enthralled, and despite being just a visitor, I had to join the discussion, I had to ask questions and answer them. When it came time for me to register for classes for the spring semester of my senior year, I decided to pass on "Combinatorics," which would have fulfilled the requirements for a minor in mathematics, and registered for "U.S. History Since 1945" instead. It's a decision that I will never regret.

What I learned in Norm's classroom permanently altered and expanded my perspective on the world. To this day, I can deconstruct TV, radio, film and literature with the greatest of ease, and every now and then I run across a nice, clean, easy-to-deconstruct example of our postmodern culture, and I think, "Norm would like that."

Norm's classes epitomize liberal arts education, and I just want to say thanks for the experience (and sorry about the tie--I'll send you a new one).

Jeffrey J. Sudol '92
Newark, Ohio

WBOM

The photo of John Gallos '49 in the Macalester Yesterday feature [Spring Letters] brought back some of my recollections of the origin of WBOM. We have read before about the remarkable broadcast careers of Gallos, Roger Awsumb '51 and Chris Wedes '49. The performers are the ones we see or hear or hear about.

Now a few words about the planning and behind-the-scenes contributions that made it possible.

Harriet McPhetres '42 had returned to Mac after earning an advanced degree in technical theater and radio at Northwestern University. As an assistant and later associate professor in Mary Gwen Owen's Speech and Drama Department, she taught a course in radio and coached the debate team, among other duties. She was instrumental in getting administration approval to construct the radio station on an upper floor of the library building. With a limited budget and student grunt labor, starting with carrying cement blocks up the stairs, a soundproof radio studio emerged.

The late Allen Fobes '43 comes to mind as one who did a lot of the engineering set-up of equipment needed for the broadcasting. There may have been others.

Although WBOM served only the Macalester campus, there were other live broadcasts which originated on campus and were carried by one of the commercial Twin Cities stations in the late '40s. These featured the choir, with Hollis Johnson conducting and Gabriel Fenyves on piano.

Ms. McPhetres produced those broadcasts to meet the time requirements of that station.

How do I know this history? Harriet McPhetres and I were married in 1948.

Paul Siegler '47
Green Valley, Ariz.

Professor Jim Smail

As I write, I'm flying home from Hawaii. I spoke at a cardiology conference on Maui and for a full week my wife and I enjoyed the Islands. This was my first trip back to Hawaii since I was there as a Mac student during January's Interim with Professor Jim Smail in 1977 (29 years, boy does time fly). While I don't believe in ghosts, I have to admit I felt the presence of Dr. Smail more than once this week in my travels around Hawaii.

For many years, Dr. Smail led a marine biology group to Hawaii each January Interim session. It was, in reality, more then a simple marine biology course. We learned about geology of volcanoes, Hawaiian sociology, cultural anthropology and so much more. The Interim I went, we were lucky enough to also have then-emeritus geography Professor Hildegard Johnson join us on the trip. She was probably in her mid-70s at that point and could only be described as a firecracker, full of energy and ideas.

When I think back to my Macalester years, that Hawaii experience was one of many high points. Dr. Smail was, in my mind, the epitome of a Macalester professor; dedicated, energetic, engaging. He cared about each student and over the years he touched many lives. He was creative and he looked far beyond any course title to give us a true multicultural experience. He made learning fun and the lessons he taught have stuck with me.

At the cardiology meeting I attended, I was asked to give three lectures on various aspects of congestive heart failure (my area of specialty). I surprised more then a few folks in the audience, however, when I began each talk with a five-minute discussion of Hawaiian history from volcanoes and Polynesian migration to the exploits of Captain Cook (the first European to visit the Islands). I was told by more than one conference attendee that the Hawaiian history was the most interesting part of my presentations. One person came up afterwards to thank me and asked, "Why does a cardiologist know so much about Hawaiian history and culture?" I told him with a sense of pride, "Long before I was a cardiologist, I was a Macalester College student."

I had the good fortune of meeting people like Jim Smail and Hildegard Johnson, and while they are both no longer with us, their influence lives on.

Brooks S. Edwards '78, M.D.
Rochester, Minn.

Earl Bowman '50

I knew Earl Bowman [Fall issue In Memoriam, Winter issue Letters]. Earl had been my high school teacher, coach and mentor and later a good friend. Many other former students could say the exact same about Earl.

I was a student and athlete in Earl's first year of teaching in 1955 at Minneapolis Central High School. He taught American history. Earl was my teacher when I was a 15-year-old know-it-all reared by a single parent. He helped give my life direction and purpose. I looked up to Earl like a favorite uncle. When I had my ups or downs, Earl was always there for me. He was a role model and an outstanding teacher and community leader. He touched so many lives with his sharp, commanding demeanor. You could come to Earl with a problem and be guaranteed a solution, a good solution. His advice was thoughtful and right on. I will always be grateful for Earl's guidance and support regarding my matriculation to Macalester.

He was always invited to our Central High Class of '58 reunions. All of our classmates held him in very high esteem. Our reunions were never complete without Earl being there and giving us his common-sense perspectives.

When I became president and general manager of Port Angeles Ford-Lincoln-Mercury, Earl was guest of honor at our dealership's grand opening in July 1998. It was an all-expenses-paid trip, including a couple rounds of golf, to say, "Thank you, Earl." It was a small token payback!

LeRoy L. Martin '62
Port Angeles, Wash.