Iowa State University Alumni Association| online edition | spring 2007

SPRING 2007
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LETTERS

The power of one
What a neat story about Dr. Wayne Scholtes by Jeanette Bradley (“Touched by an angel,” winter 2007). I was an ISU agro-nomy graduate student by the time Dr. Scholtes joined the department. At the advice of my major professor, I audited his undergraduate soils course. I observed how Dr. Scholtes’ great sense of humor, blended with his teaching expertise about soils, resulted in a teacher-student relationship that was fun to behold. I can understand Ms. Bradley’s feeling toward her mentor. I think she represents a large group of agronomy majors. Her story is a very fitting tribute to Dr. Scholtes.

William N. Sutherland *
’50 farm operations,
MS ’54 agronomy, Ph.D. ’60
Florence, Alabama

The following is in response to a request for additional “The professor who changed my life” essays. To read or submit essays, go to www.isualum.org/prof

Wayne Hefley, horticulture
I’m a 1999 ISU horticulture graduate. Wayne was my advisor. We never talked a whole lot, but he gave me some of the most sound advice I’ve ever received. He was nearing his retirement as I was nearing graduation. Probably the most unorganized professor I knew, but he had passion for telling stories that would somehow relate to what he was teaching. One day in our landscape horticulture class, toward the end of our semester, he said something I’ll never forget. He said, “Just remember, when your career is finished at Iowa State, you’re going to be nothing but a bunch of educated idiots.” Then he continued to comment on the fact that we needed practical experience to become successful in our field. Seven years later, I still treasure that advice, and sometimes give it to other college students who think they know it all. Priceless!!

John Fisk *
’99 horticulture
Cottage Grove, Minnesota

I thoroughly enjoyed the winter issue of VISIONS. The stories about the professors who have a passion for teaching, thorough knowledge of their subject, and a real concern for their students and fellow man – these are excellent teachers and make ISU great. I also enjoyed reading of the problem of retaining these type of faculty and the creative ways ISU is finding to keep them.

D. Wallace Breuer *
’47 aerospace engineering
Dayton, Ohio

i’m extremely disappointed to read a poor-taste description of “one-eyed monster” in your article (“Let’s talk about sex,” winter 2007). If this is a new tech term, I wouldn’t be surprised if you didn’t include a picture for your “slang usage.” Your magazine is good, but this is trash talk and ill-placed humor. I wouldn’t want my son or daughter to use those terms.

Quentin Ruchte **
’56 general science
High Ridge, Missouri

Good chemistry
Thank you for your article about Dr. Henry Gilman (“Good chemistry,” fall 2006) and for the replies of grateful former students (letters, winter 2007).

I, too, took his organic chemistry course in the school year 1941-42, the year the chemistry building became divided into two halves, one half being walled off with barbed wire for secret government work, presumably the Manhattan Project. Dr. Gilman was the best teacher I ever had anytime, anyplace, including medical school. He began every class with a brief quiz: “Starting with coal tar, show all the steps to make benzene.” The final exam was three hours long, but the best and fairest exam I’ve ever taken because it covered every aspect of the course. I commend you for holding him up as an example of excellent teaching.

Roger W. Willey, MD *
’43 zoology
Redwood City, California

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