Dear Editor:

My years at MCMT were filled with the study of meaty subjects which, as it turned out, prepared me well for a career as an electrical engineer and a manager. In addition, it filled me with the knowledge that I was learning universal truths.

Now you have covered the inane study of “eh” in two of your issues. Is it really a word or just a grunt? Is this the kind of study needed to change “MCMT” to “MTU”?

I am sorry to say that I feel that this kind of study is a waste of time and money and has lowered the esteem I hold for MTU.

Yours truly,
J.B. Mihelich ‘43

Dear Editor:

I was delighted to read the article in the August Alumnus highlighting Adil Shafi. I was assistant director of admissions in charge of evaluating credentials of international students applying to MTU at the time Adil applied.

After he arrived on campus and I began having contact with him it was clear to me, and the faculty and staff at Michigan Tech, that he had high potential for success in his field of study.

My wife and I enjoyed him as a very friendly outgoing young man and we are pleased to know he is back in Michigan being very successful. As a student, he related many interesting stories about his home country, Pakistan, and his family.

Sincerely,
V. Fred Gunnell,
Director of Admissions and International Services (retired), 1967-91

Dear Editor:

The article by Erik Nordberg struck a chord. My cousin, Robert Deatrick, graduated from MTU about 1954-1955. Last summer he and his wife took a trip to the northwestern US to visit all of the bridges, roads, and highways that he engineered. His wife, Ana, said they went to see all “his babies” and they are just fine.

He also was head of the highway department in Illinois and he was head of the Panama highway that was built from the east to the west. He has some interested stories about that stay in the jungle.

By the way, Erik mentioned the barber shop on campus. Bob was a barber and cut hair for the guys on campus. That is what paid his way through Tech.

Give my compliments to Erik. I’ll blame him for bringing back memories!

Sincerely,
Barb Hansha

Dear Editor:

You and your staff do a great job with the Michigan Tech Alumnus. From all of us who take you for granted, thank you for a job well done.

When I read that one of my classmates had passed away, it took me back to a beatnik skit I did at the 1960 Soo Tech and 1962 Michigan Tech homecoming talent shows. Something about a boy named Joey who loses someone he loves. We lost Charles S. Pettyjohn, Jr., but he was in the class of 1962, not 1961.

He was the captain of the Tech varsity swimming team in ’61 and he helped set a Tech swimming record in ’62 when he teamed with Don Cox, co-captain Tom Delegeorge, and me, the other co-captain in the 400 yard medley relay. He was also in the Flying Club, Varsity Club, AIEE, SAME, Honor Committee, Senior Counselor to the La Maison De Gaiete, and was on the Lode staff.

Just by chance, I noted that Charles S. Pettyjohn, Sr. (1933) is also listed as having passed away; I suppose he was Chuck’s father. My heartfelt regards go to the Pettyjohn family for having lost two of their own, who they shared with us at Tech, if only for a little while.

Sincerely,
Dick Berry '62