1952

1952

by Rufus McClure

Colonel Ligon, longTime academic head and principal, is rightfully recognized for his dedication to the school.

Throughout his long tenure, he strove to elevate the faculty and thereby enhance a growing and demanding curriculum.

“It all took place here� says the title page above; and thanks to the extraordinary military traditions and accomplishments of all kinds, I’m pleased in 2010 to assert that it still does.

It seems appropriate for me to state at the beginning of the 1951/1952 yearbook that this is the year that I arrived, a neophyte ready to begin my career; therefore it has been my pleasure and gratification to know personally most of the alumni from here on out, which, to put it crassly, includes most of the living alumni.

These are the men who introduced me to Bolles and therefore to my profession.

Since I’m still here, still seeking ways to extol my adopted alma mater, they must have convinced me that I had found a home.

Now on my way to age 85 (you do the math.) I think I have outlived them all. But, hey, someone has to tell their story.

It’s an interesting footnote that Bob Love, much admired and beloved chemistry teacher who arrived with me and who literally lived out his life in a Bolles classroom, appear together at the bottom of the page with no where to go but up.

It seems appropriate for me to state here that Bob and I were life-long friends; in fact, he was a groomsman in my wedding.

Although Bob has rendered his last salute, his own spouse, Jeanne, whom many will remember was a very beautiful young woman, is still with us, lovely as ever at age eighty-nine.

She served briefly as secretary to Major Hooker; her picture appears later with the staff.

New football coach, Ralph Simmons, better known to the few of you who played for him as “Chubby” Simmons, was an unforgettable character.

“Chubby” had played briefly as a professional.

His Bolles career was also brief.

He departed abruptly in the middle of his second season when it was discovered that he had stretched the rules.

There is Jeanne Love, bottom left, appearing the way you remember her.

The Class of 1952 was the first class that I worked with.

Although I did not teach them, I worked with them in the dorm and on the playing field, and I’m pleased to state here that they have been a very loyal and productive class through the years.

Robert Ernest, bottom, was a tragic individual.

Already a widely acclaimed architect in his twenties, he died of cancer at age twenty-five.

Stuart Gregory was, and is, one of our Hall of Famers.

He was captain of the basketball state champions for the year. Stu was also captain of the swimming team. He remains a very loyal supporter.

Robert Paul would go on to become the Chairman of The Board of Trustees during the critical period of transition from the military.

His leadership during this era was a major factor in the success of the transition.

He remains very attached to the school, and his progeny continue to impact the school in very positive ways.

Saunders was the Battalion Commander during my first year, and I remember him as a promising professional.

James Tyson was another Hall of Famer athlete, another star on the state champion basketball team.

He remains a very loyal supporter.

Meet James B. Waters, another “52� alum who would join the board of trustees and provide important leadership through the critical transition.

Lots of great athletes here.

It’s too bad that we did not archive the Bugles in those days, but here and there we get a glimpse of what once was.

If anyone out there has copies from your own day, we would love to have them.

Thanks in advance.

I don’t recall what instrument Stu Gregory played, but I’ll never forget the way he played with a basket ball.

The trophy case was filling up fast, and we were already on our way to national acclaim.

Today, we count them in the hundreds!

There is Coach “Chubby” Simmons explaining to Jim Tyson what a football is.

A Bugle athletic medley.

One of the most fabulous basketball teams of all time! State champs, that is.

They were a class act!

Jimmy Bent’s love of tennis morphed into the Bent Tennis Complex.

What a gang.

From the sublime to the ridiculous!