Comment
Histories in the Making
After reading about Williams’ influence on the social and political history of Hawai‘i (“Histories in the Making,” fall 2018), I couldn’t help remembering my Junior Advisor Duane Yee ’57, a graduate of the Iolani School, who taught and administered at the Punahou School for 41 years. As president of the local chapter of Delta Phi Fraternity, Duane and his fraternity brothers revolted against the discriminatory admission and rushing policies in existence. This resulted in the expulsion of the local chapter by the national organization. With the help of some of Duane’s other classmates, a campus-wide movement developed, which, only a few years later, under the leadership of President Jack Sawyer, resulted in the disappearance of fraternities altogether from the Williams campus, well before this happened at other colleges—a legacy of which we can all be proud. In light of the article and of the meanings of the exhibition, Duane was, in his own way, reciprocating Williams’ influence on Hawai‘i with his own influence on the social and political history of Williams.
—Andrew B. Packard ’59, Bar Mills, Maine
I was charmed by the cover story about the connection between Williams and Hawai‘i. As an undergraduate, I was only dimly aware of the Haystack Monument/Movement and its significance, but after graduation I taught at Punahou School for two years before graduate study and a career in international affairs. A Williams classmate, Win Healy ’60, accompanied me to Hawai‘i and stayed at Punahou for almost 40 years, serving as principal of the academy (upper school) for 30 years before retirement. The magazine noted that six Williams alumni served as Punahou administrators, trustees or faculty in the 19th century. During my two years at Punahou (1960-1962), there were three Williams alumni on the faculty (myself, Win and Eugene Ambard ’53), and Win went on to a senior leadership position. An article about Punahou in 1982 noted that three Williams alumni were then in leadership roles there—and this is just a snapshot of a 20-year period in the 20th century. A search of school or college records would no doubt find well more than six Williams graduates serving this distinguished college preparatory school in the 20th century.
—John P. Richardson ’60, Arlington, Va.
Williams and WWI
As a history buff, I read with interest “Williams and World War I” (fall 2018) featuring the exploits of professor Jean Norton Cru and Medal of Honor winner Charles Whittlesey, Class of 1905. But I was surprised to see no mention of Capt. Belvidere Brooks, Class of 1910, who made the ultimate sacrifice. Brooks was killed in action in France on Aug. 21, 1918, leading the 308th Infantry. In 1960, I was the recipient of the Belvidere Brooks Medal, which is awarded each year to that member of the football team who brought the most credit to the college. I was hoping to learn more about the man in whose memory the medal is dedicated.
—John Newton ’62, Alexandria, Va.
Even More on Normalization
I read David Kane’s ’88 commentary (“Letters,” fall 2018) four times, at first thinking it must be parody. But he seems deadly serious. What has Williams become? What kind of illiberal college has Williams become to spawn such comments by an ’88 graduate?
—Richard Eggers ’60, Longmont, Colo.
Kudos
I read with such interest the article by Bruce M. Beehler ’74 titled “North on the Wing” (fall 2018) that I have bought the book from which your magazine printed an excerpt. Williams Magazine has few equals—perhaps Harvard’s?—among college magazines. Another article in the issue I was lucky enough to see, of astounding interest, was your lead article about Williams’ connection with Hawai‘i (“Histories in the Making”).
—Judith McConnell, Bedford, Mass.
Megamenu Social