Alumni

LETTERS

Support for NIU
I am writing as an alumna who is very proud and appreciative of President Stephen Schutt's remarks about the Northern Illinois University (NIU) tragedy and of the article "NIU Aftermath" in the spring 2008 issue of the magazine. It was a well done and appropriate article for alumni to learn of the College's support for NIU and concern for preparedness on campus.

I am now retired for the last 12 years, but the major portion of my career was secretary to the president of NIU. I held that position for 32 years and served six NIU presidents in those years.

The tragedy that hit the NIU campus on February 14, 2008, was a shock to all, and the sadness and disbelief engaged everyone on campus and in the DeKalb-Sycamore community. We are healing, but the event will be in our memories forever.

Thanks for your concern over our tragedy. I was so proud when I read the last Spectrum.

Sally Stevens '52
DeKalb, Illinois

Educational Advantage
When I read the article about Professor Rachel Ragland and her students working at Nicholas Senn High School ("Learning Experience"), it reminded me of my early years at the College. As a former student of Professor Ragland's, I can attest to how helpful those early experiences in a classroom setting were to my development as a teacher. Such experiences, where undergraduate students are given opportunities to work in schools, are essential; they allow future teachers to reaffirm their passion for teaching, as well as gain valuable experience.

After graduating, I began teaching at Waukegan High School. I have completed four years of teaching in this urban district, and I have seen firsthand many of the patterns that Professor Ragland's students found through their research. More important than the study, however, was the work Lake Forest students were doing with inner-city students. The education department provides coursework that gives freshmen and sophomores hands-on experiences to go along with pedagogy.

I have seen many undergraduates from other colleges and universities who are extremely nervous because student teaching is their first experience actually working with high school students. Lake Forest's program minimizes those fears, allowing future teachers opportunities to interact with students and teachers in the educational field. As a result, Lake Forest-educated teachers are among the most prepared in North Shore high schools. Experiences like those Professor Ragland offers confirm within the hearts of future teachers that their coursework prepares them for the dynamic teaching profession.

I commend Professor Ragland and the rest of the education department. They continue to provide their students with the outstanding opportunities that give Lake Forest-educated teachers a unique educational advantage.

Josh Bill '04
Waukegan, Illinois

Spring Laurels
I just finished reading the spring issue of the Spectrum cover to cover, and I send you my congratulations. I normally do not read the entire magazine, but in this issue one interesting story lead to another that was even more interesting. I was especially impressed with the "What It's Like To" stories. They gave the reader a glimpse into a moment of time of each alumnus.

As a non-traditional age student, I appreciated the "Breaking with Tradition" article describing Maria Velez de Berliner's '87 excitement of taking her first class at Lake Forest College. My first class at the College was Art History taught by Franz Schultz. I also thought it was absolute heaven. In fact I continue to attend retired Professor Schultz's public lectures in Chicago.

Keep up the good work!

Beverly Moody '90
Buffalo Grove, Illinois

Heartiest congratulations and best wishes upon this latest edition of Spectrum. I enjoyed every article — all extremely informative and well written.

Thank you so much for the superb job you are doing on this important publication. I eagerly look forward to receiving and reading it.

Lynn Orschel '65
Chicago, Illinois

The spring issue of the Spectrum was the most interesting I can recall reading. The articles were uniformly well-written and had general appeal.  

The picture on the inside cover reminded me of many winter days when I was at Lake Forest College and must have been a dramatic change from the heat of last October's Homecoming for all of you on campus.

Bob O'Neill '54
Pleasanton, California