Letters to the Editor
Sports Complex Questions
Dear Editor,
In October 2001, the new athletic complex at S.U. was named the James W. Garrett Sports Complex.
Mr. Garrett was an extremely successful football coach at S.U., however, he left under a very dark cloud after he physically abused one of his own players in full view of spectators at an S.U. game.
Several years later he was hired as a football coach by Columbia University. He barely made it through his first season. After verbally abusing one of his own players, he parted company with Columbia at the end of the season.
Are these appropriate credentials for one who has been granted this high honor at Susquehanna?
Sincerely,
Jack M. Thorp '50
Vince Lombardi once said: "Winning isn't everything, it is the only thing." While Garrett's record is admirable, it came at a price that Susquehanna seems to have forgotten:
Parents Weekend 1965 - after a player comes off the field, Garrett hits the player on the back of the helmet and resigns the following week. Gustave Weber, president of Susquehanna, takes over as head football coach.
To honor the athletic complex with Garrett's name compromises the truth that educational institutions should always seek.
David Hesel
1970
Editor's note: The Susquehanna football player referred to in this incident is Nick Lopardo '68. We thought his views on this subject would be appropriate to this discussion.
"Jim Garrett has been one of the greatest influences in my life. I regret, Susquehanna regrets, and I suspect Coach Garrett regrets the incident in 1965. We have grown beyond that controversy at Susquehanna, and that is why I joined Rich Caruso '65 in making a gift to name the Garrett Sports Complex. Coach Garrett made very important contributions to our lives and to the lives of many SU students and colleagues. I consider him a close friend and believe the positive influence Coach Garrett had at Susquehanna far outweighs that single controversial incident. I sincerely hope others will agree."
Chemistry Road Show Fans
Dear Editor:
My daughter attends Susquehanna University and we received Susquehanna Today in the mail recently and as I was reading the interesting article on the back cover about the chemistry program and how wonderful it is, I was puzzled as to why this will be the last year for the program. The article itself contains enough proof that the program should be on going - why is it not and is anyone objecting to it? Thank you in advance for shedding some light on this matter.
Mary Ann Bennis
I was very interested in and enjoyed the article about the Chemistry Road Show that you wrote. I was, however, disappointed that you did not include the reason for the Road Show's cancellation. As a student at SU I did not personally participate in the Road Show, but my roommate and several friends performed the show and were close with Professor McGrath. I thought it was a great show and worth continuing. I was disappointed to hear that it would end, which left me curious as to why your article did not answer that question. Please do a follow up story in the next issue informing your readers why this program has been marked for cancellation.
Thank you
Jill Jordan '90
Editor's Note: Although Professor Potter has announced plans to make his last chemistry road show tour while on sabbatical in the spring of 2003, the status of the program itself after that has yet to be determined. Susquehanna is also participating in a new science education initiative for high school students. See story.
Gratitude for President Lemons
Editor's Note: Prior to becoming the president of Susquehanna University in February of 2001, L. Jay Lemons was chancellor at the University of Virgina at Wise.
As a parent of two UVa-Wise graduates, I feel a strong need to tell of my thoughts about Dr. Lemons. My oldest son Bryan graduated from UVa-Wise in 1997, and Dr. Lemons could call him by name!
My younger son Chris began UVa-Wise in the fall of 1997. He had heart problems, including three congenital heart defects. Surgery was done and he received his first pacemaker at age 13. His condition required a new pacemaker at 21. For these last 10 years of his life he had to take a pill every eight hours to keep his heart in rhythm. A possible heart transplant was projected at some point in the future.
Early the morning of Feb. 24, while visiting Snowshoe (W.Va.) Resort with his fraternity brothers of Pi Lambda Phi, Chris went to sleep on the sofa in his older brother's apartment. The physicians feel that about 4:45 his heart just stopped! He was due to graduate in June. He was 23 years old.
UVa-Wise poured out its grief and compassion on all of us in his family. One card in particular raised a few eyebrows when it arrived at our residence. It was from the President's Office of Susquehanna University and contained a short handwritten note of his sorrow for Chris' death. Dr. Lemons took time!
Why do I write this? I saw this man in action as a knowledgeable, caring individual who worked well with his students. My sons liked him.
Thank you, Dr. Lemons for the effects you had on my sons' lives. You are truly an "educator"!
Ed, Jean & Bryan Fielding
Lynchburg, VA
- Susquehanna Today welcomes letters from readers. Letters received by March 1 will appear in the Spring issue of SU today.
- We may edit letters for length or clarity. If unable to publish all letters received, we will strive to present the views of as many different writers as possible. The magazine cannot publish repeated letters from the same individual on the same subject.
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