REFLECTING ON THIS ISSUE’S THEME, “THE WABASH WAY,” I think of the walk from the corner of Wabash and Grant through the Arboretum. In many ways the slight elevation change, coupled with the growing darkness of the foliage in the middle, sets the stage for climbing into the light of learning as you approach Detchon Hall.
Or I think of Frost’s iconic poem “The Road Not Taken,” which in many ways describes our Wabash and the journey each of us has chosen.
But there’s another Wabash Way—the way alumni make a difference in this College.
The Wabash Way is to remain linked to this College and her current crop of young men. The Wabash way is to invest in this College and its future. The Wabash Way is to find young men of promise who have what it takes to be Wabash men. The Wabash Way is to add the real world icing on the cake of a liberal arts education by sharing life lessons with our young men. This happens all the time at Wabash.?
It’s Terry Hamilton ’89 spending time with a Wabash extern at his hospital in Detroit.
It’s Greg Jania ’93 in Chicago, hosting a Wabash student for an internship then turning around and offering him a full time position upon graduation.
It’s Rob Shook ’83 making a trip back to campus from Texas to tell our guys about protecting their credit.
It’s Ray Jovanovich ‘84 flying in early from Beijing, China for a Trustee meeting to teach two economics classes and provide a campus-wide lecture about the challenges facing China’s next group of leaders.
It’s Greg Castanias ’87, the president of the board of directors of the National Association of Wabash Men, leading the effort to reach out to all Wabash men, students and alumni alike, with the single purpose of embracing all and leaving no one out.
It’s Rick Cavanaugh ’76, along with his wife, Patti, creating a scholarship to ensure there’s always a place at Wabash for a “diamond in the rough.”
It’s John “Goody” Goodrich ’67 living the Wabash mission statement as he invests his time, talent, and treasure in Wabash College and in his beloved community of Portland, IN.
There are literally hundreds of stories just like these. These are men and women who link to the Wabash community; invest in an even better, ever stronger Wabash of tomorrow; find young men of promise for Wabash and find opportunities for Wabash men to grow and prosper; and join our faculty and staff in preparing these young men to be world changers.
That’s the Wabash Way.
—Tom Runge ’71, Director of Alumni Affairs