Explorers Welcome
Our July cover story chronicled the life and career of Stanford’s 13th president, Jonathan Levin, ’94, who took office August 1.
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These were the best 22 minutes I have spent in a long time, and I probably made [the story] last longer as I thought about what was said and what it meant for the future of the students, faculty, and alumni of this institution of learning. I relished the feeling that welled in me: a feeling of inspiration for all the lives Levin will touch during his tenure and the difference he and each of them will make in a world going through turmoil, pains of change, and polarization of ideas. We are blessed to have Levin at the helm to guide Stanford University. Richard Cohn, ’66 |
I firmly believe that Levin’s academic and professional success will enable him to rebuild Stanford’s hard-earned reputation.
I am personally proud of my long association with Stanford. My wife, two sons, and daughter-in-law are Stanford grads. My granddaughter is a sophomore this fall. We fervently desire that Stanford uphold its many positive traditions—academic excellence, the Honor Code, and peerless athletics—as well as adhere to the university motto, “the wind of freedom blows.”
Tim Steele, ’63
Newport Beach, California
In a world where good leadership appears to be rare, this article suggests the qualities we’re looking for and offers great hope for Stanford’s future.
Kate Moore, MA ’69
Mill Valley, California
I saw with a kind of amazement that the new president actually believes that at the university, freedom is there to promote inquiry and learning. That the rules are there to protect the freedoms of other people; not to disrupt class or events, or to interfere with others’ freedom of movement, such as going to class or participating in activities. Well, will wonders never cease? He aspires to a place with
a culture of dignity. I wish him the best success in standing by those principles during his tenure. I could once again be a proud Stanford alumnus.
Sherrill Martinez, ’63, MA ’80
San Jose, California
I was disheartened to read about how the poor teaching Levin received in his frosh mathematics course inspired his [research] career. I have no doubt that the math content in that course was exceptional, but rigor does not need to come at the expense of high-quality instruction. As he contemplates his future legacy, perhaps President Levin can channel President Donald Kennedy and challenge the university and its faculty to become world-class teachers who support students with engaging and rigorous content.
Peter Ross, ’90, PhD ’08
Berkeley, California
My freshman year at Stanford was the last year of Wallace Sterling’s reign. I have always remembered President Sterling’s observation about how to successfully run a university. He said hire the best teachers you can, admit the best students you can, and then get out of their way. Sound familiar? That is almost verbatim President Levin’s quote on page 34. I have a very good feeling about this.
Clay Creasey, ’71, MBA ’75
Ojai, California
After all the turmoil and challenges facing Stanford and many other universities, it is comforting to note that Levin is perhaps just the right person to lead Stanford in the ensuing months and years. At Yale, we are proud that Rick Levin, ’68, served as our president for 20 years—[until last year] the longest reign among Ivy League presidents. We anticipate Jonathan will seek his dad’s and mom’s [Jane (Aries), ’68] helpful advice from time to time.
Richard A. Matthay, ’63
Professor Emeritus, Yale School of Medicine
Guilford, Connecticut
Girl Power
A July story covered the influence of longtime women’s basketball coach Tara VanDerveer—on Stanford and the sport.
When I hear from my mom or aunts how they were shut out of organized sports growing up, I am ever more thankful for the women who paved the way. My daughter, just like her brothers, has been made a better person through athletics—braver, more determined, more confident. For those of us who don’t know much about Coach VanDerveer, your article brought out both the triumphs and struggles she experienced. My respect for her abilities and determination to get female athletes the opportunities and respect they deserve has grown deeper.
Jonathan Nehring
Helena, Montana
We’re Going to Need a Bigger BookcaseIn July, we asked what you like to read and what book you’d recommend to your fellow alums. Here’s a sampler:
NonfictionBook of Ages: The Life and Opinions of Jane Franklin by Jill Lepore. It is fascinating history, well written. Blood Memory: The Tragic Decline and Improbable Resurrection of the American Buffalo by Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns. Powerfully captures the evolution of American attitudes toward the bison as a natural resource. Early U.S. policies encouraging bison eradication dovetailed with efforts to settle the West and restrict Native Americans to smaller geographies on reservations. FictionThe Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley. A genre-busting novel combining a sci-fi time travel premise, historical drama, third-world immigrant issues in first-world U.K., unlikely romance, subversive political commentary, and wry humor in an exceptionally readable and enjoyable tale. Happiness Falls by Angie Kim, ’91. Clever protagonist, clever dialogue, keeps us guessing and learning through the novel format. Sins of the Tribe by Mark A. Salter. |
Two Views on McCloskey
A July obituary covered the career of politician Paul N. “Pete” McCloskey Jr., ’50, JD ’53, who died in May.
When I was the Stanford Hillel student board chair, one of the issues I dealt with was campus antisemitism. It makes me sad today that I am still dealing with it in the pages of Stanford. McCloskey was hardly the man of integrity that John Roemer lauds in his obituary. Besides saying in a 1981 speech that “We’ve got to overcome the tendency of the Jewish community in America to control the actions of Congress,” he also spoke at a 2000 conference given by the Institute for Historical Review—an organization dedicated to denying the veracity of the Holocaust—saying the right to question what is said about the past is basic to freedom of thought in America. How did you allow this lauding of an antisemite to appear in your pages while highlighting, without condemnation, his antisemitic statements?
Steven M. Katz, ’81
Evanston, Illinois
I was sad to read of the death of Pete McCloskey. I arrived at Stanford from the United Kingdom in September of 1967, having graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Trinity College, Dublin. At Trinity Dublin, I had edited the university newspaper, so on arriving at Stanford I volunteered to write pieces for the Stanford Daily. As my first assignment, I was sent to cover the special congressional election for the 11th District. The war in Vietnam was the only issue. McCloskey, a decorated, antiwar veteran and Republican, was one of 13 candidates—of whom the best known was Shirley Temple Black. McCloskey, very decently, gave me time (as did Mrs. Black), and my report appeared on page 8 of the Daily on October 11, 1967.
Robin Knight, MA ’68
London, U.K.
Off-Key
A May story about the death of longtime Band director Art Barnes, DMA ’65, included a quote from a 1996 Stanford Daily article in which Barnes referred to 1962–63 Band members as “bordering on a collection of social miscreants.”
The members of the Band that Barnes was tasked to direct were far from being characterized by such defamation. I can speak from very personal experience that the members of the Stanford Band that he was hired to direct were respectful, intelligent, disciplined, motivated, and musically endowed. It was during Barnes’s tenure at Stanford that the LSJUMB became “incomparable” in a way that drew Band suspensions and alumni outcry.
Roy Stehle, ’61, MS ’64
Palo Alto, California
