Alumni
LETTERS
Seed Planter
Vahan Janjigian ’77 and I both read Cara Jepsen’s “Planting the Seed” in the fall Spectrum with interest. Vahan and I “planted the seeds” for the original mentor program back in 1986, and became Lake Forest College’s first two mentors the following year.
The entire idea grew out of a discussion Vahan and I had over a couple of beers at The Lantern after we’d both spoken at a career counseling seminar for Lake Forest juniors and seniors. My segment was how to interview and Vahan’s was how to write a resumé.
I remember standing up in front of that group and asking them how many followed up with phone calls to make sure their resumé had gotten into the right set of prospective employer hands… Vahan laughed, looked out at the group and asked, “How many of you have a resumé or know what a resumé is…?”
It was inconceivable to me that there was no one around these kids with actual interviewing experience, and Vahan and I both thought that if we could just mentor one student per year there would be a legacy tree of help that might grow as a result.
We felt then, and still do today, that a liberal arts degree is the best kind of education you can get because it teaches how to think, not what to think about. The trouble is getting your internal compass going career-wise in the beginning. The only people qualified to help are people who have had the same experience.
Reading your article was like coming home after 20 years and finding that the little sapling we stuck in the ground all those years ago had grown into something special. Please keep the mentor program blooming!
Chris Evans ’77
Naperville, Illinois
Gracias
Cara Jepsen's “Lifetime Adventure” in the fall Spectrum brought back to me all the wonderful experiences that I had on the College's trip to Spain in l985! Like Cara, George Speros educated us to the many aspects of Spanish culture and guided us through the meeting with Juan Carlos in the Palace, the many facets of Prado, and Spanish foods and wines (especially the sherry).
It truly was an experience of a lifetime and to those responsible for the trip, to the students we met (and introduced me to hot chestnuts from a street vendor), and to the College for providing this experience, a very grateful alumna says thank you.
Elizabeth Hook Best ’50
Grayslake, Illinois
Cheers
Regarding your recent article in Spectrum (“First Call: Why and how Lake Forest College plans to serve alcohol on campus”), in the early 1990s there was a young man who was a master orientation leader. During the school year he enjoyed hosting parties and attending them.
As the new students arrived, he began inviting various students—both new and old—to his room in the evening for casual get-togethers. Beverages were served, both with and without alcohol, to all guests.
After a couple evenings, the young man was approached by the dean of students. “I understand that you have been having incoming freshmen over to your room at night and have been serving them alcohol. Is this true?”
“Yes. It is true.”
“Do you really think this the best idea? Is this the message that we want to be sending out to students during their first 48 hours on our campus?”
“With all due respect, these students are mixing with people of all classes,” the student replied. “Some drink, others do not. Everyone gets to know each other, they ask questions about professors, sports, and other student activities…To be frank, I think this is precisely how we want the College to be portrayed—as a place where drinking is not a game with cards or quarters, but a part of being an adult if you so choose.”
The dean considered his rebuttal. “Sounds good to me. Have a great evening.”
This student was me. My position on drinking had always been that the more you make of it, the more taboo it is painted, the more difficulties kids will have understanding how to drink responsibly and maturely.
I thoroughly enjoyed your article and commend you for taking such an intelligent step for deciding to serve alcohol in the new student center.
Matthew L. Hunt ’92
West Hollywood, California
|
|
|
Fall 2005 Spectrum |
LETTERS POLICY
Spectrum welcomes letters to the editor. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Please submit to:
Lindsay Beller, Spectrum Editor
555 North Sheridan Road
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
E-mail spectrum@lakeforest.edu
Fax 847-735-6272
Letters may be edited for length and clarity.