Fifty Years Later: a Promise Fulfilled, in True Western Style
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the ncOLIVIAhor Volume V, No. 1 A MEILY SOCIETY Winter 2007 Fifty Years Later: A Promise Fulfilled, in True Western Style n May 6, 2006, Catherine Suzanne “Sue” the children were older, I began to investigate the pos- OMcLaughlin Montgomery ’56 did Miss sibility of finishing my degree. At Oral Roberts Uni- Peabody proud. She graduated! True, she marched into versity I made the most progress; however, we moved Kumler Chapel with the Western Program class of 2006 to Illinois before I fin- rather than the Western College for Women class of ished! But we did move to a university 1956, but in many ways the 50-year delay made the oc- town, Charleston, casion all the more meaningful. home of Eastern Illi- As she wrote to her friends and family — who at- nois University. I pe- tended some 22 strong — “If I had graduated 50 years titioned for my degree ago we all would not be meeting on this day ... Many and was accepted of you would have missed the ceremony, the reunion of into their program. I thought I just might family and friends and the celebration.” Two Western grads: Sue Montgom- make it there. ery ’56, ’06 and daughter-in-law She told her story in this letter to Miami’s Presi- Oh, no, my hus- Allison Schweser Montgomery ’93 dent David Hodge: band had a stroke and October 26, 2006 we again had to move. This time to Leesburg, Florida, so he could be in warm weather. As you must have Dear President Hodge, guessed, no degree completed. Last summer you sent a letter to alumni and you In the fall of 2005, one of my daughters-in-law, invited us to share some stories with you. I kept look- who is a Western graduate through Miami’s interdis- ing at your letter and looking at it and until this day I ciplinary studies program, said, “Have you inquired had not responded. Well, in going over my desktop I or petitioned Miami about granting you your degree? again saw your letter. I am responding. Just as I re- You have more than fulfilled the graduate require- ceived my degree a tag tardy, so I am also tardy in my ments.” With her encouragement I did contact Dean correspondence. Gracie and with the proper paperwork, transcripts, I am Catherine Suzanne Montgomery, and in etc., an advocate to speak for me, I received the news May I came to Oxford with an entourage of 22 family March 23, 2006, that I was accepted for graduation and friends to attend my commencement at Western’s in May. Kumler Chapel. I was 72 years old and 50 years late. The weekend in Oxford was a promise fulfilled I left Western in January of 1956 to marry my and in the presence of my children and many grand- sweetheart. I had at that time promised my father that children, I followed at the end of the line of fellow I would one day finish my degree. The years piled up graduates, lit my candle and Dean Gracie placed in and my husband’s education took priority and he my hand the diploma cover. With the final circle and graduated from medical school in 1961. So my ener- song of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” finally I could gies were spread over his years of practice and a full lift my eyes and whisper, Hello, Father, I did it! life the seven children brought. However, when we and Catherine Montgomery continued on page 3 The Meily Society, named for distinguished alumna and benefactress Olivia Meily Brice, Class of 1866, was established in 2001 to honor our Wise Able Vital Elder alumnae who have celebrated their 50th reunion and to recognize and encourage the knowledge and energy they bring to the WCAA. “The Anchor” is a periodic newsletter published exclusively for its members. Catherine Bauer Cooper, Editor • WCAA, Inc. • 325 S. Patterson Ave. • Oxford, OH 45056-2499 (513) 529-4400 • E-mail: [email protected] A PUBLICATION OF THE WESTERN COLLEGE ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION, INC. page 2 The Anchor Thanks for the Memories ... International Students at Western resident Herrick Young is credited with estab- Plishing the “international plan” in 1953-54. However, Western not only welcomed foreign students to Oxford but also sent her daughters abroad long be- fore that. Miss Peabody’s “girls” went to China, Japan, Persia and India as missionaries, and in 1902, Suzuno Yukuyama, from Tokyo, entered Western as the first truly “foreign” student. A few Meily Society members — U.S. and international — share their memories. A special arrangement to bring young women from Chile to Western began in the 1920s and lasted well into the ’60s. Through the efforts of Romance languages Foreign student shows joined sophomore and professor Lille Howe and Dr. J. H. MacLean of the Uni- senior stunts on the entertainment calendar. versity of Chile-Santiago, teaching assistantships were The shows became so popular that they were offered to one or two Chilean students each year. opened to the public. Dorothy Hopple Buchholz ’34 remembers that International Relations Club, organized in 1937 and when she was at Western, Rosa Huber-Wastavino came active through the ’40s and early ’50s, promoted “un- from Chile and stayed four years as a student assistant derstanding of other countries” through discussion and to Professor Howe. Another student Dorothy remem- ethnic dinners — many of them hosted by Dr. Frank bers came from a very different situation: After only Esterquest and his wife, Bonnie. one year, Kate Koch-Weser returned to her home in Classmates from ’46, Betty Buell Baldwin and pre-war Germany to be with her family. Marty Hall Wedeman attended some of the A few years later, recalls Bea Low Notley ’42, Esterquests’ dinners and wonder now “how they man- French exchange students Monique Damoiseau and aged those events in the days of rationing.” Marty adds, Dina Baumgardner could not go home during breaks “It is typical of the close and caring attitudes of the fac- because WWII had begun. ulty we knew so well.” President Philip Henderson (1945-51) was par- She thinks back to fellow sociology students ticularly interested in furthering intercultural relations. Sophie Relson (a White Russian whose family had left Scholarships went to countries in Europe, South America the most eastern cities in Russia) and Hilda Beer and Asia, and according to Western College historian (“whose roots were in Hitler-conquered French-German Narka Nelson, “in the years following [WWII], 15 to lands”) — not as refugees, which they were, but “sim- 20 foreign students were enrolled annually.” ply friends who sat next to us in Alumnae Hall and ago- Maria Urueta Wells ’46 was one of those students. nized as we prepared for comprehensives.” From Barranquilla, Colombia, Maria came to the U.S., Nadia Kelada ’54 recently retired as president of knowing “some English as I had studied English and the Santa Barbara Rotary Club and now lives in Palm French for several years.” She first attended Wilson Desert, California. She has fond memories of the short College, in Chambersburg, PA, then transferred to West- time she spent at Western in 1952-53 before she was ern on a scholarship from the Institute of International called home to Cairo, Egypt. Her deep regret is that she Education. She met her husband, John — a Miami man just missed President Young, whom she had known since — on a blind date to a football game. Married now for childhood. 53 years, she says that is “my best memory of Western College. I value the time I spent at Western. I am proud We will celebrate Western’s international students at I received my B.A. there, where both professors and Reunion 2007. Please come, June 15-17! And remember: staff were helpful instruments in my education.” We want your memories for the pages of “The Anchor.” The Meily Society page 3 Montgomery: continued from page 1 Clearly, President Hodge was impressed; clearly And there’s more. Sue is currently considering a he recognized Sue’s “Western” qualities. He responded contract with Sixth Star Entertainment to give motiva- to her in part: “I have received many wonderful stories tional talks on cruise ships — it would involve devel- from alums ... but I don’t believe any story has more oping six different 30-minute talks along the lines of amazed me, and delighted me, than yours. ... I greatly “How I Did What I Did.” No problem, she’d tell her admire your tenacity and pride, and now can share in audiences. Just get started writing, talking ... the joy of your achievement. ... your commencement last spring was a great moment for Miami University From Scrapbook & Album — and the fine traditions of Western — as well as for you and your family.” hanks to Sandra Merrigan for sending in these Trecollections of her mother, Nancy Martin Sue’s story — not surprisingly — does not stop McEldowney ’30, who died in September 2006. there. A theater major with a minor in music, she never lacked for a creative outlet. Choosing to pursue her A talented singer and pianist music (with seven children ... “there was enough the- with, says Sandra, “a wonderful ater at home”), she sang semi-professionally as the fam- sense of humor,” Nancy was well ily moved from Naperville, Illinois, to Tulsa, then back known for her eight-year career to Charleston, Illinois, took those college courses along (1938-1946) as a featured performer the way and was at work on a final paper at Eastern on Don McNeil’s Breakfast Club. Illinois U.