Homeland
What a great story on the Goodings’ ranch [“Homeland,” WM Fall/Winter 03].
We have been the Goodings neighbors in Albuquerque for eight years now and they are great people, but I learned a lot I never knew by reading your article. Thanks for the new insights, and for affirming the good things that we already knew about Dick and Sue as people.
Dan Castilleja
Albuquerque, NM
A religious school?
It was with a strong sense of distress that I finished reading the Winter 2004 issue of Wabash Magazine. The cause of this can best be expressed by relating a dialog I had with my mother (who knows a thing or two about Wabash) after she read the issue.
Mom: “Is Wabash a religious school?”
Rob: “It wasn’t when I graduated from there.”
I was shocked by the overt Christian content and tone of the Winter 2004 issue. The number of articles and poems and asides dealing with Christianity truly baffled me. Wabash describes itself as a: “Private, independent, four year liberal arts college for men.”
Granted, Wabash’s founders were Presbyterian ministers, but the school “has always been independent and non-sectarian.”
As such, Wabash Magazine does a great disservice to the spirit of the school by featuring so many Christian-themed articles. Indeed, an issue of the magazine filled with articles based on any religion would be out of place.
In these times when the forces of religion are making their way into so many areas of our society (especially the government) in which they have no legitimate place whatsoever, it is even more important that Wabash remain true to its independent and non-sectarian nature. Finally, the editors of Wabash Magazine would be wise to remember that not all members of the Wabash community are Christian. Indeed, not all of us are even religious at all.
Rob Vega ’91
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, Ind.
The gift of shame
Jim Heynen’s essay on his father and writing [A Man’s Life: “The Gift of Shame,” WM Fall/Winter 03] was beautiful. Thank you for printing it.
Sarah Shey
New York City, NY
Common ground
The following letter, sent to WM writer Kyle Nickel ’03 in response to his End Notes essay in the Fall/Winter ’03 issue, is reprinted with permission.
Dear Kyle,
A Wabash graduate, I read your essay, “Losing Ground,” with great interest. You and I have a lot in common.
I grew up about five miles from Lynwood Farm. I knew your great-grandfather, who sold my father and me Berkshire hogs, which I raised and showed as 4-H projects. I still recall the look on your grandfather’s face when I reported that I would not show at the State Fair because I chose to play football instead.
I share, too, your feelings about what urban sprawl has done to what was once a lovely countryside. My wife’s family still lives in Noblesville, and when we go there for holidays, I experience that dreary, ugly sprawl all over again.
I’ve been teaching here at Earlham since 1970. Not long after coming here we bought a small piece of property out in the country, where we still live. It feels like the Hamilton County where I grew up.
I confess that I do not have a positive answer—in fact I don’t think there is one—to your question: How do we change the culture of sprawl? I guess I’d say, with Paul, let’s not be conformed to that culture. I am delighted to see that you have not been conformed.
Steve Heiny ’66
Richmond, Ind.
Voices Raised
I enjoyed reading the article about Bruce Baker [“Voices Raised,” Winter 04]. Its personal focus increased my admiration and compassion for AAC device users. Keep up the good work.
Elana Shinkle
Iowa
Thanks
For some time now I have wanted to write to express my appreciation for the continued excellence of the Wabash Magazine. The variety and depth of the articles, the great photography, and the many bits of news from the campus are most welcome.
George Million ’59
Wausau, Wis.
A winner defined
I would appreciate any help you might be able to give me in trying to obtain extra copies of the Winter 2004 Wabash Magazine. I am specifically interested in the small article about Dick Glover that appeared on page 12 [Wabash Moments: “A winner defined”]. It spoke to me as the father of a budding athlete, and I intend to see that it is on my son Connor’s wall.
Larry Kuremsky ’70
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Please send your comments, criticisms, and suggestions to the editor at: charless@wabash.edu