Letters to the Editor

War and Peace

I appreciated the article "Witness to War" about Sgt. Zack Bazzi '07 in the Fall 2006 issue. He obviously has physical courage and a level head in his fight for justice and peace. Now I would appreciate a comparable article, including a full cover image, about a person who fights for justice and peace through nonviolence.

Susan Mangam '59
Tannersville, N.Y.

The article on Zack Bazzi '07 was long overdue. The commitment, service and dedication of our graduates who have served in the military is an important legacy of UNH that has basically gone unnoticed and unappreciated. America's armed forces absolutely require officers who have been educated in the cauldron of a diverse university. The 21st century's warriors will be focused on a myriad of challenges that require the broadest understanding of cultural, historical and basic society infrastructure--as well as their historic war-winning skills.

Don Swain '56
Williamsburg, Va.

An Eleventh Thing

I thought the article about "Ten Things Everyone Should Know About Aging" in the Fall 2006 UNH Magazine was excellent and very attractively presented. As a 90-year-old, I would only add one thing--acceptance. If you can accept gracefully whatever life brings you, it can not only make you happier, but those around you as well.

Olive Richards Tardiff '37
Brentwood, N.H.

When I read "Ten Things Everyone Should Know About Aging," I was so impressed that I called the alumni office about it. Here's why. I believe this kind of article provides a great service in helping people prepare for the future. I would like to add that losing a loved one can be a shock no matter how prepared you are. Betty, my wife of 57 happily married years, passed away quite unexpectedly last September after a short bout of cancer. As a friend tried to describe it, "The abrupt end of Betty's earthly life was as violent and unforeseen as if an airplane's engines all stopped in the middle of the sky." Coping with the unforeseen loss of a spouse is something that requires faith. Perhaps my experiences will help someone else who has been, or might be going through a similar situation.

Donald Meader '50
San Diego, Calif.

Gone But Not Forgotten

I am curious about the rather quick departure of President Ann Weaver Hart. Perhaps I missed something. What happened?

Frank Marsh '49
Birmingham, Ala.

Editor's note: Last spring, President Hart accepted the position of president of Temple University in Philadelphia, Penn. A committee is conducting a search for a new president (see story on Page 5). In terms of length, President Hart's tenure—four years—was somewhat shorter than the average public university president's term, which is just under seven years. At UNH, excluding the three board of trustees presidents who served before the college moved to Durham, the average term of office has been 5.8 years. The president with the shortest term was Arthur S. Adams (1948-1950); two share the distinction of the longest term, Charles S. Murkland (1893-1903) and Ralph D. Hetzel (1917-1927). There have been 16 interim presidents, including Charles Pettee three times and Jere Chase '36 twice. J. Bonnie Newman, who served in the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations; at UNH as the dean of students and the interim dean of the Whittemore School of Business and Economics; and at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government as executive dean, is currently interim president.

An Honest Man

I was surprised and delighted upon opening the back cover of the Fall '06 UNH Magazine to see the salute to Dr. David G. Eastman '42 and his wife, Esther '45. Let me tell you why. During the early '60s, I was Chief Boston's head football manager. In those days, student managers had far greater responsibilities than would ever occur today. On particular Thursdays, I would show up at the cashier's office in T-Hall and casually sign for money necessary for the away football games—paying for motels, meals and various extraneous expenditures. A roll of bills often totaling $450 or more was wadded in my chinos' pockets as I walked out. And, I always prayed no one would rob us in a visiting team's locker room so far away from Durham during those weekends.

Upon returning to the campus, the patient staff behind the window would go over the figures and tally up the costs submitted while our football team visited other colleges on those away trips. Luckily, it all came out well. I still remember the smiles of the women behind the bars as this was done. Sometimes, however, something strange happened that we never figured out. Money went off campus to some other David Eastman and we didn't know where it went, or why. Big mystery. I don't recall the details at this late date. T-Hall was forgiving but wondered. Then, a few weeks or months later, a Dr. David Eastman in Somersworth, N.H., would return the funds, saying that he and his secretary had gone through the books and "could find no way that UNH owed him this money that had been forwarded on to him!" We would all gasp a sigh of relief, and this student manager was breathing again.

Somehow, this happened more than once, but the good doctor always returned the money. I saw him once later in the '90s, sitting behind me at a UNH football game, and thanked him profusely for his honesty. I still have no idea how money destined for the football team's bills went over to his office; neither did T-Hall. But without this generous man's good will, we would have been in trouble. The UNH of that time certainly produced good men, and I am not surprised that he is contributing today to the UNH Foundation.

David L. Eastman '65
Tamworth, N.H.

Correction: In the Fall '06 story about the renovation of T-Hall, "Extreme Makeover," a headline described T-Hall as UNH's tallest building. At 10 stories each on one of the highest points on campus, Williamson and Christensen Halls take that honor.