"Magic in the Air"
During Banned Books Week in September, the Indianapolis library honoring Kurt Vonnegut proved a fitting venue for a celebration of the freedom to read led by Wabash President Gregory Hess, Professor Emeritus of English Marc Hudson (above), and poet and DePauw Professor Joe Heithaus.
The night meant even more if you knew the Wabash professor whose memorial service inspired the founding of the Vonnegut Memorial Library.
It was the sort of evening of literature, laughter, and reflection that library founder Julia Whitehead had in mind when she envisioned the project in 2008. Her husband, J.T Whitehead ’87, had been a student of Wabash Professor of Philosophy and Religion Bill Placher ’70.The couple attended the memorial service for Bill in Pioneer Chapel December 6, 2008.
“There were so many kind words about Placher, and he clearly touched so many lives in an extraordinary way. People of all ages loved him,” Julia recalls. “As I was rocking our youngest child to sleep that night, I thought of who I would want to hold such a memorial service for. And my mind went straight to Vonnegut.
“The next day, I contacted his son, Mark, in Massachusetts and said I had an idea for a nonprofit library to honor his father.
“There was magic in the air at Wabash College on the night of Placher’s memorial service. I’m grateful I was there to be inspired. It changed the course of my life.”
The library celebrated its fifth year on January 23.
• Ben Wade ’17 was named the 2015 Moot Court Top Advocate in October. This year’s court featured two alumni judges, both returning for their second time: Indiana Solicitor General Tom Fisher ’91 and Bartholomew Circuit Court Judge Stephen Heimann ’77.
• Former Division III National Champion Dr. Colin Young took over as head coach of the Little Giants cross-country program in August after Roger Busch ’96 was named head cross country and track and field coach at the University of Hartford. Under Young’s leadership the Little Giants raced to the NCAA Division III Championships in November.
• Sponsored by the College’s Visiting Artists Series, Yolanny Rodríguez performed Wabash Professor of Modern Languages Dan Rogers’ translation of Ecuadorian writer Jorge Vazquez’ play Penelope, a one-woman play set in the Andes Mountains.
A Beguiling Book
“Is there a contemporary writer more at home in a multitude of genres—not to mention geographical locales and historical eras—than Dan Simmons?”
Bill Sheehan, reviewing The Fifth Heart, the 32nd book by Dan Simmons ’70, for the Washington Post. “Sherlock Holmes and Henry James join forces in this outstanding novel from Simmons,” says Publisher’s Weekly, where the novel was a “staff pick” in a starred review.
“The Fifth Heart is one of [Simmons’] most engrossing and addictive books to date,” writes Adam Morgan in the Denver Post.
“The challenge is what keeps me writing,” Simmons told Colorado Public Radio’s Ryan Warner.
Raising Expectations
Trustees, the NAWM board, and other alumni leaders gathered on campus for October’s Leadership Summit, learning more about and discussing the College’s latest programs, including the Liberal Arts Plus initiatives.