I recently received a copy of the cover page of the 1997 football media guide with a tremendous picture of two Colby football players in front of the Mule statue [located near the field house]. Why are no pictures of this statue ever in Colby magazine? All sorts of various campus activities, groups, etc. are printed but none of "Aristotle." As a matter of fact, seldom is there mention of or reference to the "older" alumni who helped to create the true Colby feeling that has been carried on for generations.
Changes are necessary but the basics lay the foundation and should not be overlooked.
Hilda Niehoff True '43
Georgetown, Mass.
We aren't being stubborn about it. Here's a photo of Aristotle, who was
donated to the College in 1995 by the Class of '43.
Singing Their Praises
Seeing a picture of The Colby Eight in the fall 1997 edition of Colby
brought back a lot of wonderful memories. I believe I was the only female
singer to accompany the eight men on trips to surrounding colleges, even up to
Canada. One of our songs was "I've Got a Crush on You." Well, I still have a
crush on those guys and Colby. Thanks for a delightful recall.
By the way, I'd like to say hello to [Professor of Music, Emeritus] Peter
Ré, a great choral conductor. I still sing and have enjoyed many
concerts and performances with a variety of groups.
Carol Murphy Deren '58
Ft. Salonga, N.Y.
Not Convinced
I read with interest the recent events taking place at my alma mater,
especially concerning the new construction underway. Your magazine [fall 1997]
told the story of a college campus lacking [the] leadership [seniors can
provide]; however, it offered no opposing views.
I believe Colby is (and has been) building and expanding its campus not for an
ideological cause, but for something much simpler--money. By keeping seniors on
campus, Colby gets the money for room and board that property owners and
proprietors in Waterville would otherwise get. If the college is so concerned
with senior leadership, why is it building new dormitories to house seniors
away from underclassmen?
I spent my senior year in Coburn after a year abroad, and I enjoyed the mix. I
also had friends living off campus, and their experience was not less than
mine. The area surrounding Colby is beautiful. Why deny a senior the right to
find a place to live away from the hustle and bustle of campus life?
I enjoyed my Colby experience. Graduating from Colby ranks with being awarded
the Eagle Scout honor and getting married. That said, I have been disappointed
in the direction the college has taken recently. Has pandering for money become
more important than offering a solid educational foundation? Tell me, is there
still a foreign language requirement?
Thank you for your time; I do enjoy your magazine.
Mark "Boomer" Bloom '81
via e-mail
Colby is a residential college, and the fact that most students are required to live on campus shouldn't surprise those who read the College's recruitment materials before applying for admission. Its motives in this matter are pedagogical, as the article indicated, not financial. Yes, Colby does have a foreign language requirement.--Editors
He's Not Himself
In your summer 1997 issue of Colby, you were good enough to devote page
36 to a story about me. This was very flattering and I was pleased.
I was not pleased, however, when I came to the photograph captioned "Morris
`Mike' Cohen and his wife, Kitty." I have no idea who those two people are. I
just know they aren't us. The wrong photo was sent to Colby through a
combination of senile blunders too embarrassing to be detailed in a publication
available to children of college age.
I have taken the matter up with the people at the Ocala (Fla.) Star-Banner
[who provided the photo] and have kicked some butt.
Morris "Mike" Cohen '35
Ocala, Fla.
