Personal Narratives
excerpted from the Hanover College Triangle,
1971-1979
Personal Narratives
excerpted from the Hanover College Triangle,
1971-1979
Note: Paragraph
numbers provided are not part of the original document. Ellipses
represent material removed
from these excerpts unless they are designated as original in
square brackets: [original ellipses].
(Links in the article titles take you to the full text of those
articles.)
Fred Mower and Jerry Sutherlin, "Where Has All the Candor Gone?" Triangle 8 October 1971, 4.
{1}Students of Hanover College are evidently considered to be quite gullible. Explanations which we receive to certain of our questions are either "off the record" or in the category of God made it that way so that is the way that it is. We begin to wonder if we are ever to be treated as capable of understanding anything which requires any degree of intelligence.
{2}There appear to be specific instance in which student matters and concerns have been handled with a distinct lack of candor.
{3}The first question that we would ask is whatever happened to the proposed open house revisions? If memory serves us correctly this issue first arose last February. Admittedly the proposals were not finalized until late in the Winter Term, but the fact remains that we have heard nothing relating to what considerations the proposal has so far received. Whose desk is it now sitting on? Are we to believe that this student proposal is so lacking in merit as to be quietly shoved aside and forgotten? Was this subject broached in the recent Trustee meeting and, if so, what action, if any, was taken on it?
{4}Such situations are not new at Hanover. Only last February, the members of this college community were subjected to a silly memorandum regarding camping by students. To many of us, a letter such as that serves only to undermine one of the ideals of liberal education by removing the students supposed capacity for running their own lives responsibly. . . .
{5}Instances such as these cause us to question the real reasons and truth of anything we are told.
D. R. Draper, "Changes Need to be Made," Triangle, 13 October 1972, 5
{6}Tuesday night Senator George McGovern announced his six-point program for ending the war in Vietnam. The plan does not strike one as being particularly exciting. It calls for complete withdrawal from Indochina and adds a few particular aspects of negotiation that haven't been tried before (such as letting the Vice President go to Hanoi to help negotiate the release of POWs.)
{7}What appears to be the big difference though, is that McGovern is not particularly committed to the regime of President Thieu and this itself is one of the problems that Nixon is encountering in his moves to end the war. The North Vietnamese, up until this point, have been quite clear in their desire that Thieu be removed from office.
{8}In the meantime, the White House officials are fostering the impressions that some sort of breakthrough is at hand with negotiators. Kissinger has spent a record number of days this week in Paris. Indications are that Nixon is stepping up his activities in this field as the election day draws nearer.
{9}As the war goes on and on the voters of America seem to be getting more and more impatient about the outcome. Many expect some sort of miracle out of Nixon before the election and I think that they will get one. If McGovern isn't careful he is going to end up with a hatful of dead issues by election day. . .and a country full of voters who are impressed by a belated Administrative tactic. So why is Mr. McGovern pressing the point of the war so heavily?
{10}Though I think that stressing the war may be a bad tactic on McGovern' part, I think that his announcement was something expected and even demanded by the public. The Vietnam War issue remains at the top of the public concern polls. Meanwhile, voters seem relatively unconcerned about corruption in the government. What little political concern there is seems concerned only with issues. . . [original elipses] and some vague undefinable distrust in one or the other candidate.
{11}I said last week that I felt that the choice this year is a quite difficult one to make. I don't think that we can accept either candidate at face value. Too many other factors need to be taken into account. But that is not to say that I don't think that change in Administration at this point would be a more than healthy thing.
{12}One can only guess what an Administration under George McGovern would be like but one knows what Nixon is like. . . . [original elipses] Not a few of us who fear that Orwell's 1984 might be a prophetic glimpse, look to a present Administration and note with horror the kind of public support that underlies it. . . [original elipses] big business and the taste of bigotry. I view another term of Nixon as positive reinforcement for too many social evils in our country. Regardless of the quiet refined tone of Mr. Nixon himself, arch-Republicans across the nation make McGovern sound like a flaming radical, bent on destroying the good things in American life.
{13}The big news as far as I am concerned is that these 'good things' in American life will not exist if we continue to ignore the human elements much longer. Many things need to be done in the next few years, a lot of changes need to be made . . . [original elipses] and I think that the governmental machine put together by Richard Nixon is unlikely to make the kind of choices that we will want to work with when we are the ones in the decision making process.
{14}The present policy makers are making the decision that will ultimately affect the context of our future world. Our decision this year is crucial then. And my decision is for McGovern. . . [original elipses] and change.
Ken Gladish, "Think about it: Modest Proposals," Triangle, 14 September 1973, 4.
{15}Some months ago when the Student Senate sponsored the third Perspectives on Hanover we focused our attention on the academic and curricular program at our college. During the three days of the Perspectives we heard speeches, took part in discussions, and asked questions.
{16}During one of those discussions, Dr. Robert Rosenthal, (Philosophy) suggested that one of the things we could do to improve the intellectual climate here might be to provide a mechanism by which one person might tell another about something of interest or importance that he had read.
{17}Actually, it's a very simple idea, and to my way of thinking,, one worth pursuing.
{18}A college campus would seem to be the kinds of place at which people are doing a lot of reading in a wide ranging number of areas both inside and outside of the classroom. Likewise it is traditionally the kind of place where intellectual unrest is the order of the day.
{19}Let us assume we are at such a place Hanover College. And let us next assume that we have some people here who are doing some serious reading and exploration our student body and faculty.
{20}Now it is safe to assume the there exists some exchange of ideas already about books and authors, but why not provide another opportunity for such exchange?
{21}As our lead editorial this week suggests a newspaper should be the kind of publication which stimulates dialogue, why shouldn't this newspaper use some to advertise new ideas? In the coming weeks we will run short pieces on new books and authors rediscovered with relevant information on publishers, price, and availability. We are willing to reserve space on these pages for such a feature, but of course, we need contributions if you have a book you'd like to tell some one about, tell us.
Bob Alonso, "The View from Here: Orientation, a Senior Opinion," Triangle, 14 September 1973, 5.
{22}I have been asked to give my response and evaluation as an upperclassman to this year's orientation program. As an upperclassman, I have had the opportunity to participate in four orientation programs and also served on the committee which planned this year's orientation activities.
{23}It is my opinion that it is essential to a successful freshman year (and subsequent college career) for to be exposed to the fundamental character, disposition, educational and philosophical objectives of the institution. Although answers to questions such as "Where is Classic Hall?" "Who is Dean Bonsett?" "How do I register?" and "What is a JGBCC?" are an important and necessary part of this exposure, I believe that the orientation program should have its primary purpose in helping the entering student meet and successfully cope with the many academic, intellectual and social challenges that will face him or her. Needless to say, this process of orientation and familiarization can hardly be accomplished in three hurried days of group meetings, advisor conferences and panel discussions.
{24}Typically, freshmen arrive filled with enthusiasm. However, by the end of the year not just a few will have dropped out and a large proportion of the remainder are ready for the "sophomore slump". It is hoped that these few days will serve not only as the new student's physical introduction to the college but will also help the student prepare himself emotionally for the demanding intellectual experiences and intensive learning and relearning experiences he will encounter during his stay at Hanover.
{25}Frequently, however, the emphasis appears to have been directed to making the freshman "feel at home" which precludes any work and assumes that social events and a busy schedule breeds security. Many freshmen have recognized and criticized the lack of an introduction to the idea of hard learning. The function of a college or university is to provide a place, resources and block of time in which a person has the opportunity to think about answers to those problems that lead to his development as a successful student and responsible adult. If the first impression suggests that the college is a place mainly for making and enjoying friends (albeit an important consideration), some student may never realize that they have enrolled in an institution founded primarily to promote and encourage academic and intellectual endeavors with the end purpose of developing the student into a mature, thinking adult. . . .
{26}The amount of difficulty and the nature of the adjustments made by the freshman during the early college months remain to be seen. A certain degree of shock should be expected and desired by students entering college. Indeed, it was shown in our group discussion that freshmen expected and wanted to change and develop. Hopefully, this year's orientation has provided a firm basis for this change and development.
George Lihvarchik, "One experience parallels others," Triangle, 26 April 1974, 4.
{27}Good morning world. It's nice to know that you're still here. I realize now that last night's tornado was not a dream but rather a real and devastating nightmare. I've just received word from Gary (Gary Green, a student at Hanover) that another victim was found in the rubble of the Hanover tragedy.
{28}I didn't sleep in my room last night I couldn't. There is a tree reaching five feet into my room through the remains of what used to be a window. Broken glass decorates the floor, beds, and dressers.
{29}I spent the night in the room of two of my close friends. Bart and Peanut; and went to the window almost instinctively when I awoke. Directly in front of me was a pile of rubble with Hanover's characteristic ancient oak trees uprooted and dismembered. They used to form beautiful rows that accented our new multi-million dollar library. The library still stands, but without the expensive copper roof which was visible in different junk piles across the campus. The campus has changed, too.
{30}All of that propaganda and promotional jargon about Hanover College being the most beautiful campus in America, well, I believed it. The place had started to grow on me and I frequently took evening walks out to the point (overlooking the Ohio River) where I wondered how it must have been fate that I wound up in such a beautiful environment, and good fortune that I would graduate from Hanover, but several things have changed.
{31}Residence halls, essentially the Theta and Phi Mu sorority houses were deroofed. Parker Auditorium has lost part of its bell tower and virtually every building on campus became the final resting place for giant trees. Where there used to be greenery and trees now exists hollows where trees as tall as a water tower have been pulled up by the roots and replanted somewhere else.
{32}Parker Auditorium is now visible from the Hanover entrance, where before all that could be seen was lofty tree tops. (I hear an ambulance or volunteer fire department siren blaring again; they've been relatively quiet for a while after screaming constantly last night.)
{33}The estimated loss according to President John Horner is $8 million. Everyone is preparing to go home. We all wonder what happens next. The town of Hanover, like Madison and many other towns along the Ohio River has been practically leveled.
{34}National Guardsmen and a security force at selected Hanover students have been guarding the campus all night from looters. The campus center has been turned into an emergency free food line to aid villagers, faculty, and students who have been involuntarily evicted from destroyed dwelling places. The food is being rationed. One cup of milk and one cup of coffee is allowed each individual per meal. There is a minimal water supply. No showers, no washing up or flushing toilets. A ditch has been dug behind Wiley Hall for sanitary excretory purposes.
{35}They are asking, no pleading for student volunteers. I think I'll stay for awhile and help. A reconstruction of the actual tornado event should explain why.
{36}A fellow track runner Gary Green, from Jennings County (Indiana), came to my room and pulled me away from my typewriter about 3:15 p.m. to run a track workout. We went out the to run five miles around the Hanover countryside. It started to pour rain about midway through the workout, and we decided to finish our workout with some 220 intervals on the track out at the stadium.
{37}We had just started our first 220 when we heard the alarm go off at the Hanover Volunteer Fire Department and as we rounded the curve we looked off into the West and saw a not too distant funnel touch down and stir up a mass of dust smoke and wood.
{38}The storm visibly was approaching fast so we decided not to attempt to dash to a house that was about 300 yards away. Rather we sprinted to a ditch which ran parallel to the track and tennis courts. Both Gary and I lay flat in the ditch and grabbed hold of metal post sticking out of the ground. As we lifted our heads, I shouted "I don't believe it, look at it."
{39}I jumped to my feet and stared sprinting in between the tennis courts and baseball diamond, with Gary following. He grabbed my arm and ordered me to get down in a nearby washout where there was a water main sticking about two feet out of the ground. It was just about big enough for the both of us, and we jumped in it, lay down, grabbed hold of the pipe and watched the approaching funnel.
{40}We watched open mouthed as the funnel with its whipping tail ignited explosions of brown smoke and large splintered fragments. It continued on down the main street of town resembling an old fashioned stream engine churning up huge billows of smoke and fragments while following its uncharted course. Gary and I watched the funnel jolt toward the stadium and as the tail touched down at the front of the trailer court outside the stadium, I buried my face in the mud, my one fist clenched tightly to the water main right below Gary's and my other arm trying to shield my head.
{41}My body tensed, and I started to pray. I could feel the wind swirling around me so I lifted my head to see what was happening. Directly above my head was a swirl of large fragments. Behind me, the 10 foot storm fences covered with canvas wind breakers swayed back and forth like a wing in the wind. Suddenly the fence collapsed backward to the ground staying in chorus with the teeth grating sound of the metal posts being wrenched from their cement foundation.
{42}Gary turned my attention to the trailer court. His face reflected the agony of the disaster. No trailer was left untouched. Most were crumpled like tin foil. Others were overturned and twisted one end over the other. We hurried to offer help.
{43}Suddenly a van with a service station insignia on the side streaked into the trailer court and screeched to a halt in front of an overturned trailer. The driver jumped from the van and ran to the pile where he bulldozed his way to the top of his ex trailer. Flinging rubbish haphazardly and with a horrified look on his face he screamed for a child he believed to be buried there. A neighbor assured him that his child was okay, but a lady in the last trailer in the court wasn't as fortunate.
{44}Gary and I watched about six men pulling her from her trapped position beneath a trailer wall. A young lady (mid 20's) despairingly dropped her arms to her knees and then shielded her face as she cried. "That's all we have. That's everything." The twisted trailer resting on top of her car.
{45}I returned to my room a couple of hours after the storm had subsided. My clock was stopped at 3:53. A tree limb reached into my room through the window and pointed to broken glass scattered about my room. There on my desk was my typewriter where only a few hours earlier Gary had interrupted me from typing a critique of Moby Dick for a literature class. I scanned the line of print to the point where I had left off, and felt a cold chill come over my body as I read the last few words I had typed before the tornado hit. "It is significant that Ishmael survives because Ishmael see himself as related to al me and especially in a deep bond with Quequig. It is through the tool of his friend (the coffin) that Ishmael is saved once again emphasizing that human relatedness is essential to human survival."
Peggy Baker, "Bells Ring Again!" Triangle, 27 September 1974, 4.{46}Friday I was out on the tennis courts when I heard something that touched my heart. The bells from Parker Auditorium rang again. These bells are something I have unconsciously missed a great deal. To me, they are part of Hanover, and to hear them sound out as they have for three years made me feel that the tornado had not beaten this college. Hanover will proudly live on.
Craig A. Allshouse, "Ex-Navy Man Warns of Military," Triangle, 25 October 1974, 5.
To the editor:
{47}With the current military service interviews going on at the Campus Center, I thought it would be a good idea to offer a little information and a little advice on what to expect from the military.
{48}After spending six years in the Navy due to a basic naivete in belief that the military is an honorable organization and in believing a recruiter and a boot camp advisor when they made certain verbal promises to me. I know what I'm talking about when I say to use extreme caution when dealing with the military. You should seek other opinions whenever possible and confer with people not directly involved.
{49}I don't know if it's realized that recruiters work on a quota system so it's only natural if they are running behind on their quotas that they'll stretch the truth a bit to convince someone to enlist. On the ship that I was stationed on I heard guys who had come off recruiter duty bragging about the guys that they had "fished in." Of course not all recruiters are like this, in fact the majority of them are probably honest men, but do you want to take the chance? So, if a recruiter tells you something don't hesitate to call a recruiter in another town for more information.
{50}Here is some basic advice for dealing with the military. Read any pamphlets carefully, you will get a more truthful idea of what you can expect from a specific program than you will by word of mouth. Don't believe any "guarantees" unless they are in writing in contract form. Don't be afraid to ask questions, but always verify the answers with another source. Don't get talked into long term programs initially. Take the shortest enlistment allowable for the program you are interested in because if you like it you can always extend later for extra benefits and if you don't like it you aren't stuck with six years working at a job that you don't like.
{51}If anyone wants to talk to me about the military don't hesitate to contact me. It's pretty obvious that I didn't care for it but that doesn't mean that it isn't right for some people. I won't try to talk anyone out of joining. I just don't want to see other people approach the military as ignorant of it as I was. If you have any questions see me in Crowe Barracks "E".
Craig A. Allshouse
Steve Richmond, "Comps: A Retrospective," Triangle, 23 March 1979, 5.
{52}Being a senior at Hanover College means being and doing a lot of different things. It means being nervous but happy about that ever-looming-in-the-horizon date in May. It means writing that infamous independent study. And in March, it means "COMPS." . . .
{53}"COMPS" is a Hanoverism for senior comprehensive examinations. You take the first four letters of "comprehensive," put the "s" from "examinations," and you get "COMPS." . . . In the English department we have oral "comps." . . . So, more anxiety. We also have something called "dry run comps" which took place in late February. This amounted to spending fifteen minutes with two of the department professors talking about what they might ask you during "the real event." The professors also gave some sample questions and they tried to allay some anxiety.
{54}The "dry-runs" were fun as were the following two weeks (this is just after Long Weekend - - a time many of us had planned to study and some of us did a little bit). During these weeks, some of us English majors got together and reviewed. Now, if you've ever known an English major, you know that when it comes to literature, we'll talk your arm off. So you can imagine a group of English majors together. But I even enjoyed studying by myself. I found that a lot of things I'd "learned" (written down in notes, to be precise) as a freshman now made so much more sense and I could fit things into the total scheme of things in a more intelligent, generally better way. . . .
{55}March 3, 1979. This is the day that . . . marks the beginning of "COMPS" time. . . . Many of my fellow English majors were quite literally terrified of their "hour." Personally, I wasn't nervous at all, that is, until the morning of my exam. It was on Wednesday. I had planned to take the entire day to study. And study I did. I don't think I'd studied that hard since the logic exam in philosophy my freshman year. Then the clock's hands waved away the hours. At 3:30 I left the library to go to my "appointed place" in Classic Hall. . . .
{56}Finally, the exam began. The hour went fast. Once I got into the material I started really enjoying it. I found it was less like the Grand Inquisitor with the Spanish Inquisition scene I had devised in my anxious mind and more like a discussion of my favorite topics with two old and intimate friends. It was fun.
{57}After the exam, I was asked to step outside and to close the door behind me. Although I was confident that I'd passed, the nagging anxiety swept back over me like a tidal wave. The two doctors seemed to deliberate forever. Finally, they came out.
{59}I did indeed pass. They said I'd done quite well and that I was one step closer to that fateful day in May. I thanked them both (at least I hope I did) for their supportiveness and left. I was exhausted, exalted, and just a little jiddy.
{60}Now, having gotten some distance and perspective on the whole comprehensive process. I highly endorse it. Certainly, the system has flaws but when considered on the whole, it works pretty well. Indubitably, the examinations themselves are not what is important. The true significance lies in the bringing together of information gleaned and absorbed during the four years. This is what liberal arts, and hopefully, Hanover College is essentially all about.
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