Continuum

International Progress

I believe this is a great step forward [“Global U,” Winter 2013-14]. It builds on the international education experiences like the one I enjoyed in 1973 when I studied Arabic in Tunisia, with the assistance of an NDEA Fellowship. I also did my PhD dissertation research in Tunisia in 1973 with the assistance of a University of Utah Research Fellowship. I’ve worked with Dr. [Michael] Hardman, as a member of the College of Education Advancement Board, when he was dean of the College of Education. His leadership ability and international education experience make him a perfect choice.

Keith W. Martin BS’71 MEd’72 PhD’75
Bountiful, Utah

Memories of Carlson Hall

A highlight of my freshman year at the U was living at Carlson Hall in 1949 [“Remembering Carlson Hall,” Winter 2013-14]. It was a thriving hub of activity. I met so many friends there. There were strict rules in curfews, but some of the girls got around them by going out the windows to meet their boyfriends. We laughed about some of the meals we had. One entree was beef tongue, and another was parsley soup with not much else in it. I had a private room, so that I could get my studies done. Just loved the place!

Norene Rogers Emerson BA’53
Houston, Texas

I was renting a room two houses from the Institute of Religion. I was selected for the NROTC Program. During my 1952 junior year, I met this very attractive freshman [Diane] whose father was an Army colonel stationed in Germany. She came home to go to the U. She attended the LDS Institute. I asked her out, and when I found out she was living at Carlson Hall, this was perfect. I could date her on my $10 a week spending money. We went to all the U and the Institute’s functions. Every night, I would walk down to Carlson Hall to see her. As I had to wait in the date room, I spent time playing “Old Buttermilk Sky,” which was the only piano piece I could remember. Upon graduation, we got married. I went into the Navy and was stationed at the U.S. Naval Base in Sasebo, Japan. She came over, and the rest is history. August 30th will be our 60th. Thanks, Carlson Hall.

Earl Benedict BS’54
Boise, Idaho

A Digital Future

As much as I enjoy the present connectivity, it can never replace that I felt in the stacks in the basement of the U library back in 1953 [“A Pathway Through Books,” Winter 2013-14]. Nothing will ever replace the feel of a good book in your hands.

Paul L. Hansen BS’53
San Clemente, California

I agree that the very nature of paper and binding, held between two hands, is not a transitory matter, but the attributes of a modern academic environment lend themselves to the digital realm. The digital library, in the hands of a visionary, becomes a leveling, bridging, and democratic environment that opens its collection to a wider community of users.

Tony Sams BFA’03
Salt Lake City, Utah

Quite a Journey

Loved the photo essay [“Dinosaur Caravan,” Fall 2013]. Had no idea that a highway was not in place in the 1920s and that a ferry and dirt roads were the mode of travel.

What a historical journey to Salt Lake City. I still own the house that my mother was raised in on Park Street. I was raised there also. This journey took place only 10 years later than our home was built in 1914. My mother was a young teenager. I am really surprised that horse and wagon transportation was still so prominent in those days.

Kent Rich HBA’66 MSW’68
Salt Lake City, Utah

The caravan of dinosaurs must have been quite a sight, better than the arrival of a circus in town!

Akhlesh Lakhtakia MS’81 PhD’83
State College, Pennsylvania

Praise for a Leader

What an amazing woman [“Of Multitasking and Medicine,” Fall 2013]! So many achievements, yet [U health care chief Vivian S. Lee] is so humble and down to earth. She truly is an inspiration.

Susan Bird
Salt Lake City, Utah

Filling the Stands

The University of Utah women’s basketball program currently does not seem to do much recruiting of local female basketball players [“Building a Team,” Fall 2013]. In my opinion, having more local athletes involved would increase interest in the program and attendance at games.

David Taylor BS’91 DPT’09
Salt Lake City, Utah

Lingering Questions

This is a subject that has long plagued my heart of hearts with a heavy sadness. Like our brother Mr. [A.J.] Kanip noted in this article [“The Heartbeat of the People,” Fall 2012], the drum and feather hold profound spiritual significance to the Native people.

Demeaning the people so blatantly creates an unwelcome place. Replace the drum and feather with LDS temple robes and aprons and see what happens. Can you picture turning any religious regalia into costumes for all to wear during recreation and public display rather than respected privately in a sacred manner? Is this really the message the U wants sent out to the world?

Again, this brings much heaviness and sadness to my heart that the people continue to be treated as less than human.

Deb Williams
Salt Lake City, Utah

Maybe a Ute drum group or performer(s) could be invited to play before home Ute games, along with an explanation of what the drum and feather mean to the tribe. I’ve seen this done at other sporting events.

Christine Cape
Sanders, Arizona

Alternatives to Animal Research?

I’m amazed at the number of construction projects now going on at the U [“Construction Update,” Spring 2013]. As a donor, I’m glad others are contributing to the U’s development. My one concern is the animal labs attached to the Skaggs Pharmacy Building. I hope the U explores alternatives to animal research. There have been many humane alternatives developed and the tradition of humaneness extended.

Clarence Widerburg BA’75 MSW’75
Portland, Oregon

A Window on Veterans

Thank you for shining a light on veterans who seek to continue their education at the University of Utah [“Armed With Knowledge,” Summer 2013]. Discourse with our service members and civilians serves to [help us] gain insight on the true nature of military service. I wish that a campus center had been available after my enlistment concluded in 1975. Bravo to all involved in aiding their transition from the military to civilian student life.

Jack Homen ADRAN, U.S. Navy, 1972-75
Associate Instructor
U Center for Emergency Programs

I was happy to read about the opportunities and resources available to our veterans. It is sad that this wasn’t done after the Vietnam War!

Donald Orlando BA’67
Spokane, Washington

Thanks for the great article. I think it fairly summarizes the situation that vets face. While not all vets have been in combat, most have significant life experiences that shape the way they think, treat others, and approach problems. I went to nine-week basic training at age 30, and it affected me profoundly. The University is a better place for what all these vets bring to the institution.

Rich Stowell
Graduate Teaching Assistant
U Department of Communication

I’m really proud to serve in the military during peace time. I think that all vets should be thanked for all they have done for their country, here at the University of Utah, past and present.

Albert Ortega
Salt Lake City, Utah

A River Runner’s Legacy

I really enjoyed the article and readings of Ken [Sleight]’s efforts in the early days [“Fighting for the Wild,” Summer 2013]. I was a river guide for the U outdoor program in ’95-’97 and can’t imagine what we would have lost if not for these early activists.

Dave Hagen BA’97
Monrovia, California

Gratitude for a Professor

My first class at the University was David [Kranes]’s examination of the poetics of space [“Games of Chance,” Summer 2013]. It marked me… He taught me a lot about literature and theory and structure and drama. He carefully imprinted for me how language works. He inspired me to read beyond without ever demanding it of me. But what I value most was the personal David he offered his students. He is a brave man capable of putting his most vulnerable self out for examination by the daftest of us students. I know that quality will get him through his cancer.

Molly Fowler BUS’79
New York, New York

A Legacy of Sound

Dr. [Thomas G.] Stockham [“Pioneer in Sound,” Spring 2013] was a very nice guy. I stopped by Soundstream back in the late ’70s and visited with him out of pure curiosity for what he was doing.

He gave me a half hour of his time and explained what he was doing and how he was doing it. The disc pack shown [in the online video with the article] held 10 minutes (!) of music.

The original Telarc masters at the dawn of the digital era were mastered by Soundstream at a higher frequency rate than the current CD standard. I’ve always felt those early Soundstream masters sounded much warmer (and juicier) than the Sony standard which became the norm. The Janowski recording of the Wagner Ring was mastered by Soundstream and, for me, is the best sounding of any of the digital Ring recordings.

Yes, this guy was a major pioneer in the history of recording, from Edison to the present.

James Bevan BS’71
Comment submitted via continuum.utah.edu

The Young Impresario

For my last two years at the U, a large group of us (engineering & business students) would meet at the Crimson Commons, the restaurant in the basement of the Union Building, for lunch, and play dealer’s choice poker. Nolan [Bushnell] [“The Impresario,” Spring 2013] was a regular participant, and would often bet without even looking to see what he had. He was “gutsy” then, and still is now. I would not describe him at that time as being nerdy, but kind of a fun guy to be around.

Timothy Tate BS’69
Comment submitted via continuum.utah.edu

Nolan [Bushnell] was a fraternity brother of mine, and we lived at the fraternity house at the same time. He was always an exceptional Nerd.

Richard Lybbert BA’69
Comment submitted via continuum.utah.edu

Praise for an Innovator

You’re a real hero, John [Warnock] [“The Innovator,” Spring 2013]. I still remember that time in 1968 seeing a drawing on Dave Evans’s office wall of a building illustrating the new “hidden line algorithm” by student John Warnock. I couldn’t imagine how the data was represented. It was just a bunch of points in space! How did he deal with it?

Congratulations on your contributions.

Carol Withrow MS’70
Comment submitted via continuum.utah.edu

Encouraging a Scientist

Many thanks for both putting the item about me in “Through the Years” [Winter 2012-13] and making sure that I saw it.

Several fellow U of U geezers and geezettes saw the item and sent me congratulations via email.

I owe a great debt to U of U. I was treated as a person, not just a student ID number. As an undergrad, I had only vague ideas of a career. However, two U of U professors thought I would make a good scientist.

First, as I was completing my B.S., Professor Ivan Cutler called me in and said as much—but did not leave it at that. He told me Professor Milton Wadsworth had a Ph.D. research assistantship to offer to the right student. Then he picked up the phone and made me an appointment with Professor Wadsworth. He, too, decided I had potential and awarded me the assistantship. I did my research under Professor Wadsworth’s excellent direction. I became a scientist, and it has been a great career for me.

Two U of U professors treated me as a person and shaped my life.

A.U. “Dan” Daniels BS’61 PhD’66
Professor Emeritus for Experimental Surgery
University of Basel Faculty of Medicine
Riehen, Switzerland

Exploring Rare Books

Such a wonderful article [“Stories Within Stories,” Winter 2012-13]—very finely written. …

Barbara Lynn Oleson Jeppson BS’64

Is there a reason that the staff are not wearing gloves? If I remember correctly, oils from the human finger could cause havoc on the paper. Just wondering.

Amy Birks BS’98

I’m no expert on the wearing/not wearing of gloves when handling rare materials, but I learned from Luise [Poulton] that there is good evidence that wearing gloves causes problems. … In any case, lovely article about a fabulous curator and great collection!

Alison Regan

Amy’s question is one that gets asked often. … Briefly, the question about the use of gloves or not when handling rare books is decades old. The arguments for wearing gloves include the point you make—hands have natural, protective oils that can harm paper, ink, and other elements of a book. Gloves help protect against this. However, gloves can often do more harm than good: People wearing gloves tend to be a bit clumsy. It is difficult to turn pages with gloves on, and gloved hands can be slippery. The fibers in cotton gloves can get caught in paper fibers, which can cause damage. Finally, one of the great pleasures in handling books is to feel the paper, the impression of the type, if the book was printed letterpress, the leather of the binding, so many things. Carefully cleaned hands and mindful handling allow us all those pleasures while keeping the book safe.

Luise Poulton BA’01
Rare Books Manager, J. Willard Marriott Library

Thanking a Professor

First, I want to express gratitude both to Ms. [Elaine] Jarvik and to the U of U Continuum magazine for putting this article [“Taking the Long View,” Summer 2012] together on such a wonderful teacher and inspiring mentor.

Working with Fred [Montague] up at the Sill Center garden not only helped me recover from being a wayward theater major, but also served to help me ground myself in actualizing my values and becoming a responsible and aware world citizen (as much as possible). Although Fred did not stand in the way of the guilt and despair elicited by the revelation of environmental science facts and trends, he also taught us to have compassion for ourselves and each other as we tried to integrate this knowledge into our lives.

I have immense gratitude to him for his lessons in ecology and environmental citizenship, and he inspired me to follow my passion to my own vocation. I think of him often as I consider whether my lifestyle embodies my values, and especially when I’m working in my own organic garden. So, thank you Fred for turning on the light, so to speak. Your life continues to be a source of inspiration for how to live with integrity and passion.

Aaron Watt Rousseau BA’04 (attended 1996-2001)

Memories of a Monument

Great article [“A Monumental Tradition,” Winter 2012-13]. I remember participating in the late ’50s as a freshman. Brought back many memories.

Carol Jean Summerhays BS’60

Tributes to the Artist

FANTASTICO! [“The Groucho Marxist,” Winter 2012-13]

Raynette Yoshida

THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE GREEN

As a proud 1971 U graduate who participated in the first Earth Day celebration/protest in 1970, I was thrilled to see a whole issue dedicated to how the U is working on sustainability. Keep up the good work! …

Laury Hammel BS’71
Cambridge, Massachusetts

After reading this [Summer 2012] Continuum, I have to say that I am somewhat disappointed in how the U is relentless in shoving down people’s throats this green initiative that the University seems to be engaged in. After reading the magazine articles about recycling, organic gardens, sustainability, energy innovation, military bases going green, green grads, and solar ivy, let me provide a little anecdote for you. I have returned to the U after an almost yearlong hiatus to pursue my MPA. I am taking a politics class in Milton Bennion Hall, Room 105, and since the summer semester started, the heater has been on in that classroom. Not intermittently on and off, but on and blasting hot. … I personally made three calls to facilities and maintenance, and last week my professor called, and it seems to be finally off. As I look around the campus with all those brand new buildings built and being built, it is a shame that existing ones get left behind in maintenance…

Pedro Penido Burnier BS’11
Salt Lake City

Keep up the good environmental ethic, contrary to the politicians of Utah. It is good to know of the many areas [where] the U is at the forefront in environmental matters. I try to keep in touch with the meteorology department where I graduated in 1958.

Duane Benton
Farmville, Virginia

It’s so great to see the whole history of sustainability at the University of Utah chronicled in this article [“Seeking Sustainability,” Summer 2012]. Kudos to everyone who has been a part of this effort, with many thanks and extra love to Craig [Forster] and his memory.

Kinde Nebeker
Comment submitted via continuum.utah.edu

AN INSPIRING PROFESSOR

Fred Montague [“Taking the Long View,” Summer 2012] was one of the most thoughtful, motivational  in a serene way) instructors I have been privileged to take several classes from. I also toiled in the garden by the Sill Center for a semester, contributed horse manure for several years, and loved the experience. I appreciate this man and what he is about.

Carrie Radmall
Comment submitted via continuum.utah.edu

A GAME REMEMBERED

I am an intern alumnus, ’45-’46, but a Columbia graduate. Way back when, I saw [Wat] Misaka make a play I have never seen, before or after the fact [“The Blitz Kids,” Spring 2012]. A great Utah team—Misaka, [Arnie] Ferrin, [Vern] Gardner, et al—was playing a great Kentucky team in the NIT tournament at Madison Square Garden. Ralph Beard was guarding Misaka when Misaka made a bounce pass between Beard’s legs into the post, likely Gardner. It was an amazing pass, and I’ve never seen it duplicated.

Gerald Klingon, M.D.
New York, New York

Praise for Turkish Professor

I enjoyed reading the article on the Turkish professor here at the U studying and researching birds [“Tracking Winged Sentinels,” Spring 2012].

I graduated from the U in 1997 with a degree in Turkish language and literature. It is very nice to see a Turkish professor at our University being so successful. Having lived in Turkey for two years with my husband and young son, I know how great the Turkish people and their culture are. The travel opportunities in Turkey are also very interesting and historically significant. Few people in the U.S. know where Turkey is located or of its historical significance in world history.

Keep up the great work.

June N. Marvel BA’97
Academic Advisor
University of Utah Middle East Center

Proud of Grandpa and the Blitz Kids

I’m Vadal Peterson’s granddaughter, and I grew up hearing how proud he was of the team and the circumstances and events leading up to the win [“The Blitz Kids,” Spring 2012]. Thank you for your acknowledgement of this great achievement.

Pam Pannier BS’83
Comment submitted via continuum.utah.edu

I, too, am a granddaughter of Vadal Peterson. Isn’t it amazing how different college sports were back then—the coaches did not receive huge salaries, [and] the players were shorter! All the grandchildren are proud of our grandfather!

Linda Ruiz
Comment submitted via continuum.utah.edu

Becoming a Football Factory?

It saddened me greatly to learn, after reading in the Fall and Winter issues of Continuum, that my alma mater, Utah—of which I was once proud—has decided to become a football factory, following Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, Nebraska, Alabama, and other schools of similar ilk. Thus the definition of “university” in a Harold Lloyd comedy from 1925 as “a football stadium with a couple of classrooms attached.”

Jacqueline Edwards BFA’55
New York, N.Y.

Evolution Doesn’t Cut It

It is amazing the numerous problems with the theories of evolution that their scientific proponents gloss over and at the same time refuse to give creationism the time of day because of its supernatural nature [“Evolution of a Scientist,” Spring 2012]. Let me mention just a few.

There is life itself. Evolutionists postulate that billions of years ago conditions were perfect when a sunspot or some other natural phenomena accrued providing the chemicals or energy that started life with a single cell in the sea. Yet deprive a newborn (whatever) of a life-required substance (air) for just a few minutes and no chemical or energy will restore life to a perfectly conditioned creature.
Then there is the fact that a single-cell amoeba has a DNA strand that is more complex than a fleet of 747s. There is no scientific explanation for this complexity. To believe that a lightning strike or some other natural phenomena created it is absurd.

What about the problem of reproduction? There is no scientific explanation for the development of reproduction or the requirement for a male and a female in the reproductive process. How does survival of the fittest explain this?

Then there are the problems with the variety of life (why are there mosquitoes, etc.?), the beauty all around us, the intricacy of so much of life (the eyeball), etc.

In an oversimplification, the total scientific evidence consists of some visible evolution within a species and a few fossils that appear to show a migration from one species to another. To accept paltry evidence and totally dismiss intelligent design is not scientific.

Dick Kenney BS’56
Comment submitted via continuum.utah.edu [see reply from Dr. Alan Rogers in Responses]

Back to the Future

I wanted to comment on the article in the recent Continuum about “A House for the Future” [Winter 2011-12].

Back in the late ’70s, there was quite a “push” for passive solar home design. In the late ’70s and early ’80s, my partner and I designed and built passive solar homes, office buildings, and additions in northern Wyoming and southern Montana. We used many of the same ideas mentioned in your article. We didn’t have the advantage of some of the recent technology available today; however, our buildings performed very well, and we never needed a backup heating system other than sometimes a wood stove.

I am glad to see someone is still utilizing what nature has given us. I agree 100 percent that proper siting and proper construction details are the key to success. We always oriented them by using the sun at noon and always stayed within the 15 degrees suggested by Professor [Jörg] Rügemer. A few homes we bent in the middle 15 degrees to form a “V” shape. Depending upon which way we bent the building, we obtained the maximum advantage in either the west or east wing in the morning and the opposite wing in the afternoon. Several of our homes were “earth bermed” for further shelter from the cold.

Passive solar has a difficult time competing because there is nothing to sell other than your knowledge and building skills. The sun’s energy is free. All you have to do is capture and contain it as long as possible. I hope Prof. Rügemer can influence the building trades, and the general public, to use more of the simple and inexpensive technology available.

Leroy Kingery MS’63
Douglas, Wyo.

Efficiency is Key

I totally agree with Professor [Jörg ] Rügemer’s comment on focusing on the efficiency of the shelter versus thermal or solar energy [“A House for the Future,” Winter 2011-12]. Having recently installed a solar array on my RV camper (totally thermally inefficient), I can attest to the fact that solar arrays are costly, inefficient, and still require standard utility backup for the systems they power. Associated solar arrays, batteries, and inverters are very inefficient and costly compared to raw utility power. Prof. Rügemer noted the use of gas (natural or propane), which in today’s [market] is extremely expensive. All information I learned from my RV experience tells me to focus on conserving heat and minimizing the need for cooling, [and to] use appliances that work using the most efficient, least costly fuels. Highly efficient homes would be a giant step forward in reducing the amount of electricity and fuel required to run the various systems and appliances found in today’s homes.

Edward Meisenbach BS’71
Comment submitted via continuum.utah.edu

Kudos for Continuum’s New Web site

What a great way to provide info regarding the U, especially for those of us who no longer reside in the shadow of the U. More great articles are presented, along with video and links. This was a pleasant surprise.

Steven M. Hansen BS’66
Richmond, Texas

A Tip of the Hat to Sorenson

What a beautiful story [“A Quiet Force,” Winter 2011-12]. Thank you, Beverley [Taylor Sorenson], for sharing your love of children and passion for the arts; you’re an inspiration.

Rick Cordova
Comment submitted via continuum.utah.edu

Marvelous Museum

The new Natural History Museum of Utah is an absolute gem [“Reflecting the Land,” Winter 2011-12]—everyone associated with the University should visit and show it off to guests. The setting, the building, the angles, the displays, are all outstanding. Kudos to Sarah George and the staff and donors.

Kristin Madden BA’71 MBA’83
Comment submitted via continuum.utah.edu