Iowa State University Alumni Association| online edition | fall 2008

FALL 2008
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LETTERS

Change the world
One thing I learned while at Iowa State was that not only do you learn from teachers but you also learn from your peers. I was privileged to have gone to school with both Tesdell brothers (“Change the world” / “A time for peace,” Summer 2008) and even joined them when Time for Peace started. I may not have always agreed with them on some issues, but they changed how I think on issues and that I need to think with a broader scope. They are great guys and I wish them the best with their futures.

David Grimesey*
’07 political science
Sioux City, Iowa

I’m unhappily amazed by the cover story of the current VISIONS. For the ISU Alumni Association to trumpet an “I want to save the world” message is hard for me to understand, and I’m guessing that the editorial staff somehow thought this was inspirational.

Well, that’s not my interpretation of the message. Instead it seems Messianic, naive, and extremely arrogant. While we’ll always have wackos out there who think they have the capacity to “save” 6 billion people, I’d guess a more typical reaction is to smile, excuse ourselves, and cross to the other side of
the street, not to make the aspiring savior into some kind of exemplar. And we typically read about such people after they’ve failed to conquer Europe, ladled out poisoned Kool-Aid, or barricaded their flock into some compound... not on the cover of an alumni magazine.

Mark Hammitt**
’84 chemical engineering
Burlingame, Calif.

I just finished reading your summer VISIONS cover to cover. This may be the most significant and inspirational issue you have produced. Carl Hamilton would be, as I am, very proud of how you have developed VISIONS over the past 20 years to be a major communications asset for Iowa State University. Your articles are excellent, as are the dramatic photos.
After “150 Contributions,” No. 151 should be, “The quality to do good DNA of Iowa State people, graduates, students, staff, and President Gregory Geoffroy.”

Well done.

Donald L. Arends**
’52 agricultural journalism
Oak Brook, Ill.

Congratulations to the editor and staff of VISIONS magazine. It is an excellent publication, very informative, attractive for-mat, and definitely very readable. Thank you.

Janet Payer*
’52 zoology
Ames, Iowa

Aloha from the garden island of Kauai, where one can take an early morning walk and enjoy a shower, sun, and rainbow all at the same time!

The summer issue of VISIONS arrived recently and once again it is an extremely interesting publication. As usual, it’s taking time to inhale and digest all the goodies therein. At the present, I’m just getting into “150 Contributions: How Iowa State has Changed the World.” Outstanding!

Also, I’m always fascinated by all the physical changes that have taken place since I graduated! My last visit to the campus was in 1988 and I was astonished to see how the campus has grown. If I saw it today, I’d need a tour guide!

Joe Stoddard**
’43 general engineering
Kapa’a, Hawaii

Correction
In the summer issue’s “150 Contributions” article, No. 97 should have read:

Computer network security
Electrical and computer engineering professors Doug Jacobson and Jim Davis patented a core technology for a network blocking device, and Doug and Gwenna Jacobson and Gary and Stephanie Bridges successfully moved the concept into the marketplace. Doug Jacobson won two R&D 100 Awards for his work.

* Annual member of the ISU Alumni Association
** Life member of the ISU Alumni Association