Alumni

LETTERS

Voicing Your Thoughts
I read with interest your story about the history of the Stentor. When I was the news editor and editor-in-chief, the staff received no payment. Do you offer back pay?

Michele Carr McConnell ’85
Monona, Wisconsin

I immensely enjoyed the “Loud Voices” article about the Stentor. Particularly, I was drawn to mention of probably its “all-time loudest voice” — Jim Kidney ’69. As his sports editor, I was glad to note that in this era of tumultuous change, some constants, even after 40 years, remain, specifically, his acerbic wit, charm, and high level of causticity.

One can only hope that Kidney is doing to the legal profession what he used to do to the administration – jerk a few chains!

S. David Miller ’71
Goldsboro, North Carolina

The picture on page 38 of the spring issue of Spectrum shows several students mounting the new FM radio station antenna on College Hall. The year was 1973, I think, or possibly 1974, but definitely not 1975 as the article in the magazine indicated (“Loud Voices”). The students pictured are Terry Grieb ’74, the engineer, Jonathan Kiell ’74, and Walter “Pete” Peterson ’74.

Priscilla Gray Scott ’75
Livingston, Texas

I believe it was actually summer of 1972 when the first FM antenna was installed on top of College Hall. This was at the same time that we got our first 10-watt FM  transmitter, right after getting the station’s first real FCC license in many years. A lot of work went into that license application, and Terry Grieb ’74, Jonathan Kiell ’74, George Tyler ’74, and I received a lot of technical help from alum Howard Knaack ’37, who lived in Lake Bluff and had his own radio frequency measuring service. I still have my Third Class FCC license, issued May 23, 1972.

Incidentally, if anyone wonders why the call letters are WMXM, we tried for WLFC but LaFayette College had just taken that. So, we tried to think of something clever for a second choice. I liked the look of WMXM, it sort of stood for “maximum.”

Walter “Pete” Peterson ’74
Mazomanie, Wisconsin

Editor’s Note: The radio antenna was not installed on top of College Hall (now Young Hall) in 1975, as reported in the “Loud Voices” article, considering the April–May 1973 issue of Spectrum featured the photo in question. We apologize for the error.

Redesign Reactions
You are to be commended for an outstanding spring 2006 issue of Spectrum magazine. Through an effective and user-friendly layout, colorful photography, and enjoyable and informative content, you have conveyed a sense of vigor and excitement that underscores the continuing broadening of the campus experience. Reading the magazine (actually went through it twice!) reminded me how we are positively impacted by the Lake Forest experience. I look forward to the next Spectrum to further communicate what it means to be a Forester.

Mark Monroe ’82
Bloomingdale, Illinois

Congratulations on a very good issue of Spectrum! This is a big improvement in content, layout, and “class” over the flimsy paper editions of Spectrum, which were published during my stint as alumni director in the 1970s.

Cynthia N. Gillispie ’63
Lake Forest, Illinois

Ever since I was an undergraduate, I had been imploring the College to upgrade its communications to better represent itself to the outside world. Through the tenures of four Lake Forest College presidents, I attempted to make this case to whoever came my way, generally meeting with little success.

In the end, it seems, it finally took the team of Director of Communications and Marketing Liz Libby, Editor Lindsay Beller, and Graphic Designer Andrea Nordgren to get it right. I received my issue of Spectrum this week and after considerable review, I feel moved to applaud you all.

At long last the College has an external publication with style, class, and a bit of life which gives it a creditable presence in the community at large. Well done – and keep up the good work!
 
Stephen Logowitz ’70
Boston, Massachusetts