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Congratulations to, and ad multos annos of pleasant
and productive retirement for Joe Maguire. I was privileged
to be a student of Joe's in his first year of teaching
at Holy Cross. Joe was a wonderful professor-insightful,
caring, inspiring-the very embodiment of the values of
Holy Cross. Back then, he was an extraordinary mentor to
the "day students," being himself a son of Worcester. He
made us feel at home on the Hill that overlooked our homes.
A photo in the spring 2001 issue of this magazine shows
Joe wearing a purple shirt. How fittingly symbolic! Joe
really does exemplify the Purple. I'm led to ponder: Could
a Joe Maguire be hired at Holy Cross today? After all,
he has no doctorate. Indeed, the President of Holy Cross
then, Rev. Raymond Swords, S.J., didn't have a doctorate!
Nor did the biologist, Rev. Joseph Busam, S.J., whose very
recommendations to medical school started the careers in
medicine of countless Holy Cross alums. I think of my beloved
uncle, Rev. John Donnelly, S.J., and other professors who
had no doctorates, yet who managed to inspire (like Joe)
a host of alums to get advanced degrees by their
pedagogic labors. Clearly many gifted and charismatic teachers
have squired Holy Cross students to much success, but none
surpass the Squire himself. Joe Maguire is truly irreplaceable.
I hope the College gives him another Hoya and a Choo-choo
Rah-rah in the form of an honorary doctorate.
John Donnelly '63
San Diego, Calif.
Regarding Pat McCarthy's comments on the changing reunion
model in the last issue: If there were any among the Class
of 1951 who, prior to the weekend, had misgivings about sharing
our reunion with the Commencement ceremonies, those doubts
went up in smoke when we marched onto Fitton Field at the
head of the academic procession. There is really no way to
express the honest pride and joy we all felt at that moment,
and it will live in our hearts forever. I am told that the
sight of our marching ranks was so impressive and heartwarming
that many in the stands, waving wildly and smiling, were
also weeping openly. I can't remember a happier moment since
my last child was born.
The dedication, experience and hard work of the College
staff made all of this possible. The fact that we were the only alumni group
on campus meant that the staff was able to focus on our needs and requests. I
speak for all my classmates when I say that we appreciate the attention that
was lavished on the Class of 1951. Thank you!
Richard L. Ahern '51
New Canaan, Conn.
The Class of 1951's 50th reunion celebration will be remembered
by all as an outstanding time. The spirit of the reunion
was so high, largely due to the tremendous efforts of the
reunion committee, the alumni office, and the volunteer students
who were always available to shuttle us around the campus.
Kristyn Dyer was constantly checking to see that our needs
were met. And everyone was thrilled with the wonderful food
available throughout the reunion.
The spouses present shall always remember our husbands leading the graduating
class onto Fitton Field. Such a thrill! It was a wonderful reunion, culminating
in a wonderful graduation. The crowning glory of the reunion was the thoughtful
gesture of setting up a reception tent with a lovely luncheon for the Class of
1951 so that we could get together for one last visit. We were treated royally!
We want to thank everyone for this remarkable 50th reunion experience.
Robert and Ruth Burns '51
Wellesley, Mass.
The article in the spring 2001 issue of Holy Cross
Magazine regarding the NROTC Annual President's Review
mentions that it is believed Holy Cross is the only national
liberal arts college to continue to host a Navy unit.
Is this fact supposed to be a source of pride or a cause
for concern for our College? If it is true, should we
not examine why Holy Cross continues to do so while other
national liberal arts colleges have apparently chosen
to discontinue their programs.
Perhaps we should begin to question the impact of the
role, minor as it may be, that our Christian, Catholic, Jesuit College played
by fostering these ROTC programs in supporting, for example, the military action
of reinstalling the emir of Kuwait (a country in which women have limited rights)
to keep oil flowing, or in supporting a military system that trained the Salvadoran
army units that murdered the Jesuits of El Salvador, and what role our College
should be playing in the future concerning its support for a political and military
system that seems at odds with our College's fundamental values.
Michael O. Duane '73
East Montpelier, Vt.
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