UConn Traditions - Summer 2006 - Letters to the Editor

I very much enjoyed reading about the history of our great University. My hat is off to you. Would you be so kind as to include in the next edition a reprint of the cover without UCONN imprinted over the top line of photos? I am curious, as others may be, as to whose photos are behind the imprint.

I was happily surprised to see myself and two of my closest UConn friends pictured at Wilbur Cross Library on page 26. The three of us are seated at the second table from the front of the photo. On the left, is Anne Hodgdon Tighe '62 (CLAS), with her head resting on her right hand; then Dottie Reall Fitzpatrick '62 (SAH); then me with my head resting on my left hand.

We think the photo was taken in our junior year because Dottie was completing her physical therapy internship our senior year and was not on campus. Anne lives in New York , Dottie is in Rhode Island , and I am in Arizona , but we are still in touch. The photo brought back some great memories. I met my husband, Neil Armann '64 M.A. at the Wilbur Cross Library in 1962, so that place has many good associations for me.

On page 27 a photograph taken in 1939 shows Gov. Raymond Baldwin signing the legislation officially changing the name of the Connecticut Agricultural College to the University of Connecticut . The legislator who introduced and sponsored that name changing legislation was Edward D. Seger of Colchester. Two of his children, (Mark '72 (ENG) and Beverly '67 (ED)), two nieces ( Haila Seger '62 (CLAS) and Donna Bickerstaff '79 (CLAS)) and two nephews (James '66 (ENG) and Robert '83 (CLAS) Seger ) went on to proudly graduate from the University.

You have done a wonderfully nostalgic job with the recent issue of Traditions . Normally, I put aside such mail and catch up when the "must-read" stuff is complete. But the cover caught my eye and I had to stop and read it cover to cover! Well done!

The picture of Elmo Roper on page 29 states that he "established an academic research facility at UConn dedicated to the study of public opinion." To be more accurate, Elmo Roper established the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research at Williams College in 1946 as a memorial to his son, a Williams graduate who died during WWII. The administrative headquarters of the Roper Center moved to UConn seven years after Mr. Roper's death in 1977. Another son, Burns "Bud" Roper, who is the unnamed other person in the published photo, was one of the leading forces of support in UConn's involvement with the Roper Center .

(The writer is former assistant director of the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research.)

On page 35 you mention the NCAA championship Field Hockey Team of 1985. You failed to credit the co-captains of that team, Janet Ryan '86 (CLAS) and Marge Abbott '86 (ED), the only seniors on the team. Janet was a three-time All American at UConn, and Marge was responsible for the final win at the Final Four. You should have given credit to these girls in your photo along with Diane Wright, the coach at that time.

On page 4, you have an excellent, inspiring article on Alfred Rogers. I knew him and he was indeed a fine person and Phi Epsilon Pi was fortunate to have him as a brother.

During this same period, I was a member of Beta Sigma Gamma. This fraternity was comprised of all the races, religions, and national origins that were on campus. It was an unprecedented success in college and during our professional lives. We met regularly for reunions and the biggest reward was our relationship and our respect for one another then and now. We were one.

The wonderful time line showing significant events at UConn over the decades notes that co-ed dorms began in 1974. I can assure you that the correct year, at least in The Jungle, was two years earlier, when I was a sophomore.

During my freshman year, the entire Jungle was reserved for freshmen. It was, indeed, a wonderful Jungle. It was at the start of my second year that the buildings became co-ed (alternating by floor). The Jungle became something, well, something a bit different.

I enjoy your magazine, especially when it brings back memories that bring a smile.

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