Cost of a Messy War

I was honored to read the name of David Thomas Barnes '68 at the twentieth anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC on Veterans Day weekend, 2002. As was done when the Memorial was dedicated and at its 10th anniversary, each casualty was read in the order that they died. This time, each reader had about thirty names and a two-minute interval. In 1982, when the Memorial was not as popular as it is now, we had two-person teams read for an hour each. I chose Barnes' name from among seventeen I know on the Wall--high school and college friends or acquaintances, fellow travelers in Army training, and members of my outfit in Vietnam. I wanted to read all seventeen but they are spread across the calendars on different dates from April 17, 1967 to August 25, 1969. The sensible procedure adopted by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to stay in order of casualty forced a choice. So why Dave Barnes? Perhaps, because the memory of him as a bright, but admittedly naive, young man who got caught up a war that somebody else started probably comes closest to home. His memory and those of the others trouble me most as our national sabres rattle on the belts of many who managed to miss that messy war but who seem to think that we can have antiseptic ones now.

Dave Barnes was killed on April 28, 1968 in combat against North Vietnamese regulars in the A Shau Valley near the Laotian border and the Demilitarized Zone in what was then northern South Vietnam. He served with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). For the actions that resulted in his death, he was awarded the Silver Star Medal and the Purple Heart. Previously, he had been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Air Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge. He had served 62 days in Vietnam and he was 21 years old when he was killed. He, Les Dickinson '67, Mike Ransom '66 and Hunter Shotwell '62 are the last Colby alumni to die in a war. I hope that statement remains true and that we continue to remember them.

Robert M. Lloyd '68
Greenville, S.C.

Colby Graduates Excel in Military

My admiration and thanks to Chris Gieszl '93 for following his heart by serving his country, and kudos to Colby magazine for drawing attention to a career path rarely pursued by the typical liberal arts graduate. Although Colby's philosophy and a military career may appear to be mutually exclusive, recent history proves otherwise. Two of my closest Colby friends, Brian Emme '97J and Adrian Calder '96 both fly F/A-18 Hornets in the Navy while Josh Smith '95, John Ginn '97 and Josh Foster '00 are all Marine aviators. Lieutenant 'Boa' Calder flew missions in Afghanistan and will be attending the Navy's prestigious Fighter Weapons School ("Top Gun") in March. Lieutenant "Stickit" Emme is currently on the leading edge of the Middle East conflict while on deployment in the Mediterranean aboard the Harry S. Truman.

Colby strives to educate individuals who possess the determination and skills to pursue the career of their choice yet the ability to appreciate the numerous sides to life's issues. It's interesting, yet not surprising, that there exists such a cluster of recent Colby graduates serving in extremely elite military positions. Today's global environment taxes many of our beliefs (myself included) in the role that the United States should play in a peaceful world. Yet it's unfortunate that when Brian returned to visit Colby several years ago, he was forced to defend his career in the face of idealistic undergrads who viewed him as a killer. Whether or not you support prevailing U.S. Foreign Policy, in these times of international unrest and domestic uncertainty, I'm personally glad to know that there are a few Mules out there holding the line.

Ethan Platt '96
Falls Church, Va.

The Way to "Real" Diversity

I am writing in response to your article "Refuge or Regression?" (winter '03 Colby) which examined the recent debate concerning special "multi-cultural housing."

According to the article, groups of "queer" students and students of "color" have communicated a desire for their own separate student housing because of the threats posed by the "straight white majority" population of students. The fact that such sentiments exist demonstrates that coerced association engenders ill will and animosity among individuals. The fact that these "minority" groups consider themselves "educational tools" for white students further reveals that the very same minorities within the Colby student body who should benefit the most from increased "diversity" end up being hurt the most. In general, I agree that all individuals and groups should be able to freely associate (live) wherever and with whomever they choose. I must add however, that consideration of such proposals to create "multicultural" housing is both hypocritical and contradictory since similar groups of individuals were prohibited from freely associating when fraternities were banned in the early '80s.

It was inappropriate for the college to abolish fraternities two decades ago and it is similarly improper to deny individual students of any persuasion the right to freely assemble and associate today. If gays, students of "color," or any other student, for that matter, feel more comfortable living together on the same floor or in the same building, they should have that right, just as those who live in "chemical-free" housing are currently permitted to do.

There is an important lesson here for the administrators and Board of Trustees. While it makes for nice PR, real diversity cannot be achieved by compelling individuals with different skin pigments or sexual orientations to live together. When individuals' ability to freely associate (live) is in any way restricted or violated feelings of resentment and even hostility usually results. To promote real diversity the college should consider ways to enhance diversity of thoughts, opinions, values and beliefs on campus.

If the "powers that be" are genuine in their desire to promote more diversity on campus they should drop the failed social engineering policies and prescriptions of the past and consider ways to balance the preponderance of the liberal-left bias that permeates just about every facet of Colby life. If college is supposed to be about critical thinking, analysis and debate, let's have the guts to expose the student body to alternative values, ideas and beliefs. The vast majorities of Americans are to the political right on most issues and vote that way as well. At Colby, in sharp contrast, the vast majority of the faculty members, classes, guest speakers, and college policies have a significant liberal-left bent.

Want to achieve real diversity on campus? Let all students decide with whom and amongst whom they want to live. Focus less on the politically correct failed policies of the past ("multi-cultural centers," "diversity training," the "commons systems") and expand and enhance the diversity of ideas on campus by hiring more conservative faculty members, offering more conservative areas of study, and hiring more guest-speakers from the political "right." If you were to conduct a survey of students (past and present) I would guess that the general consensus would be that the lack of diversity at Colby has less to do with too few "multicultural" programs and institutions and more to do with a one-sided liberal-left view of the world.

Gregg Jackson '90
Charlotte, N.C.

A Coincidence in Cambodia

When the winter issue of Colby arrived, my partner called me at work to tell me there was an article in it about a doctor in Phnom Penh. As parents of two daughters adopted from Cambodia, we are always on the lookout for information about their birth country. When she told me who it was, I said, "Oh, Dr. Jim!"

I was in Cambodia in August of 2001 picking up my second daughter and we were treated by "Dr. Jim" Cousins at the SOS clinic. We received great medical care and the entire staff at the clinic was wonderful. Given the relatively small size of Colby classes, what are the chances of my running into another Colby grad halfway around the world? If I had discovered then that Dr. Jim and I shared a common Colby past, I'm sure I would have passed right out!

Deb Schwartz '79
Natick, Mass.

Remember Graduate School Careers

Congratulations on your fine article ("The Business of Liberal Arts," Winter '03 Colby). One additional aspect is those of us who entered the world of graduate school education. Note your recent article on the new dean at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, Ted Snyder.

It would also be interesting to know how many Colby grads are teaching in higher education. Clearly my best students are those with liberal arts educations.

Charles Morrissey, Ph.D. '56
Graziadio School of Business and Management
Pepperdine University
Malibu, Calif.

Depression Article Should Raise Awareness

You and your staff are to be commended for the inclusion of the interesting article by Alicia MacLeay on depression (winter '03 Colby). I enjoyed reading it and feel that it is a topic long overdue for discussion. The article arrived as I continue work on researching and writing the story of a popular Colby student with everything going for her: an important job, a loving family and an interesting life--who lost her battle against major depression. I'm struck by how little those around her knew or were able to find out from medical professionals treating the disease as to the very real peril they faced. The devastation left behind following her suicide and the continuing impact on her family has been tremendous.

Hopefully Ms. MacLeay's article will help raise awareness and erode some of the stigma attached to issues regarding mental health. Again, thanks for bringing the issue to the table.

Jeff P. Russell '87
Hampden, Maine

Military as a Career Move

In reply to David Hauser's letter (winter '03 Colby), [he should} go in the military, preferably an officers training program, and get some leadership experience. A couple of years will help him decide professional interests and maybe lead to graduate school--with money saved.

Ralph E. Davis '54
Dallas, Tex.

Key is Community of Scholars

I was disturbed by the letter (winter '03 Colby) "Degree Not Opening Doors."

While his classroom successes, which resulted in honor society memberships, are impressive, I believe the writer never grasped some important aspects of his Colby education. It is not the Colby diploma that will "yield all the keys to the world." It is the Colby experience in "a community of scholars" (a favorite phrase of Dr. Strider) that should provide a graduate with those keys to open the doors.

A check of the Alumni at Large pages for the Class of 2002 shows over 100 respondents from his class outlining interesting and exciting pursuits. As their classmate, he already has all the keys needed to unlock the door.

James M. Bither '66
Kennebunk, Maine

On Terence and Financial Accounting

It is a funny coincidence that David Hauser's letter (winter '03 Colby) appears a few pages in front of the inspiring article, "A Liberal Arts Resume." I concur with the article in that the fantastic Colby education leaves one far better prepared in the long run, possessing much more versatility than someone with a more limited and pointed degree. A majority of corporate CEO's have liberal arts educations with advanced degrees in their specialties. Ask them and they will state that their problem-solving ability and ability to deal with people are directly related to the broad and deep education they received at a place like Colby.

In my own personal experience, given that I am now a computer geek, I find that I sometimes leave people stunned that I can also converse intelligently about such diverse topics as the Latin writings of Terence, Financial Accounting, and the causes of the Spanish Civil War (all things I happily learned at Colby).

James Gill '85
Brisbane, Australia.

Eminem's Lawyer a Role Model?

What a wonderful model of a successful Colby grad Kate Bolick has advertised ("8 Mile High," Winter '03 Colby). Too bad your mag can't be distributed to high school prospectives. I'm sure we could find lots who aspire to be lawyers for great artists like Eminem, posing for publicity shots with a big stogie and a cool-man smile. Hey, what a life, "schmoozing," "making deals," and hangin' out at Puff Daddy's!

Everything about this guy's business is "hip, handsome, laid back"; no wonder he has so many famous "clients." The kid's so idealistic he doesn't wanna work for "the Man." Nah, he's very "individualistic," says he just likes to do things "my own way, even if they're not the right way."

Here's a guy who says he's happy to "sell my soul ... and worry about the consequences later." Just listen to the art of rhetorical persuasion he cultivated at Colby: he tells a guy he wants for a partner that he looks "smart enough." He'll help the guy get his "feet wet with some of this contracts stuff," and nobly offers to "take any garbage that comes through as long as we can make money on it." And don't even think about getting' him to spill any of his clients' goods, 'cause these are quality artists, real nice people. And man, they pay on time. "Not bad," quoth our alum.

But then, what's in it for Colby? Maybe not just a few recruits, but some big bucks too, huh?

Robin B. Barnes, '73
Davidson, N.C.

Good for Adams and Colby

On a day when the President of the United States announces his opposition to the University of Michigan's affirmative action position, I am gratified and proud to read of President Adams's support of it.

May Colby remain dedicated to the pluralism and diversity that affirmative action was created to promote.

Herb Adams '54
Center Lovell, Maine

Magazine Offers Greater Balance

I was mightily impressed with the last issue (winter 2003 Colby). I particularly liked the greater balance of information placed on national and local social and ethical issues in which our Colby family is involved. Such emphasis makes me proud of my alma mater! Thanks!

David Choate '48.
Denver, Col.