Dear Editor:
I think The Shocker magazine just gets better and better. It reminds me of all the good things and people that represent WSU, and I am proud to be a member of the alumni body.
I was moved by the “Family Tradition” article on the recent death of Charles Chandler. While attending WSU, I worked at the First National Bank of Wichita and recall running into Mr. Chandler on my first day on the job. He went out of his way to introduce himself and greet me and otherwise was just a wonderful, warm and down-to-earth person. I have never forgotten him, and I appreciate the article written in his tribute.
Thank you.
Jacalyn (Schountz) Strong ’81
Houston, Texas
Dear The Shocker:
Enclosed is an entry for the Class Notes section of the alumni magazine. Someone is doing a magnificent job with this magazine. It brings back many memories. I was a member of the Men of Webster fraternity. We are still trying to keep the frat house going (the former University of Wichita president’s house).
Earl Keener ’49
Santa Clara, Calif.
Dear Editor:
I truly enjoyed your Fall 2008 edition. The feature stories brought back some personal memories for me.
It was the Walter H. Beech Wind Tunnel that got me to Wichita State in the first place. As a senior in high school I attended a campus open house. Part of the event included engineering projects and displays — and a demonstration of the tunnel turned my desire away from pursuing several athletic scholarships offered me, to acceptance of the Walter H. Beech Scholarship in Aeronautical Engineering.
Having to work while in college, I did so for the Carney brothers at their Pizza Hut located at 17th and Hillside. I did my business policy term paper on how this young company was destined for the future, and this earned me an “A” in Dr. Curtis Wood’s class, which was no small feat, to say the least.
Lots of memories. Lots to look forward to in reading about classmates of many years ago. Thanks for continuing this fine tradition, and giving us a way to look back over time as alumni and alumnae. Keep up the good work.
Larry Dean ’66
Kansas City, Kan.
Dear The Shocker:
The article on the wind tunnel brought back memories to this alumnus of the Class of 1948. We were the first class of engineering graduates from the University of Wichita post-WWII. The tunnel was conceived, designed, promoted and constructed while we were students. Ken Razak, head of the aeronautical engineering school, was the prime mover of the program. As a student in the summer of 1946, I had the privilege of working on a 1/10th scale working model of the proposed tunnel. Those were exciting days, with both classes and hands-on experience in the science of aeronautics, which had occupied my mind since childhood.
Today, I design airplanes in my head while waiting in line.
Bob Burnham ’48
Seattle, Wash.
