Letters, posts and emails

Our “Case Memories” section in the fall Case Alumnus brought this letter from Indonesia.

I became emotional when looking at the old Warner and Swasey Observatory picture. I had my graduate student office there from 1961-1965. In 1965, I defended my doctoral thesis on Astronomy — working under the late Professor McCuskey and Professor Blanco. There are still some survivors from the roaring 1961-1965: Prof. Peter Pesch, Dr. Darell Mac Connell, Dr. Dan Pascu; Connard Dahn and some others whom I may have missed mentioning.

With my sincerest congratulation for the publication of Case Alumnus. Thank you for sending it to me. Bambang Hidayat, PhD ’65 West Java, Indonesia Via the mail

In response to our online story about the annual Freshman Welcome, a reader offered this advice to the class of 2023:

Congratulations. Good blessings. There will be tears of sorrow temporarily leaving what's familiar. However, they'll soon be replaced with joy as you meet new friends, become involved in activities and work diligently to achieve goals. Study hard, have some fun, don't forget to smell the roses. You got this. God bless each and every one of you.

Greg C. Young Via Facebook

An alumnus tells us that the new chapter of Alpha Sigma Mu, described in the fall Case Alumnus, is not the first at Case.

Great to see this class of Alpha Sigma Mu students pictured and written up! But it isn’t the first. In about 1960 or ’61, five or six of us were inducted into Alpha Sigma Mu at a monthly meeting of the Cleveland chapter of ASM at the Engineers Club (down on Chester, I think).

Anyways, thought you should be reminded of some important metallurgy history!

John A. Peterson ’62, MS ’64, PhD ’67 Middletown, Ohio Via the mail

Tomlinson Hall, Room 109 10900 Euclid Avenue Cleveland OH 44106

In September, Bob Stenzel made his first visit back to Case Quad in 20 years. Alumni Relations Director Kelly Hendricks took him on a tour. His response:

Your most charming, heartfelt welcome and tour is greatly appreciated. It will not be forgotten. Thanks also for the Case notebook and pen; they will be put to good use.

Case was a very good school back in the 50s, but now it is great and is a story that deserves the full exposure you are providing. I will be sure to spread the word for my part.

Meeting the most modest Dr. CC (Liu) and hearing of his work and patents on markers for diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, was simply thrilling when one considers the potential ramifications of his work.

Going for a drive in the CE lab was an unexpected pleasure and emphasized for me just how far, literally and figuratively, CE studies have gone from the days of surveying camp in the Mahoning woods. Now I know where that deer came from.

The Spartan Hall of Fame was interesting for showing how well the college has done, given that the Case athletes are in a very competitive academic environment. Perhaps more emphasis could be put on the fact that participation in sports, especially for Caseys, represents a voluntary, significant extra commitment of valuable time. To be fair and to provide a more complete picture of their accomplishments, it should be part of their school transcript or at least set forth in the hall of fame.

Finally, think[box] was terrific! It perfectly follows the traditional Case motto, “Make no small plans.” Everything was first rate and well thought out. A key to future success will be to generate sustaining and improvement funds with the think[box]-generated developments.

I thank you for all you did for me.

Bob Stenzel meets Professor Chung-Chiun Liu, left.

Bob Stenzel ’58 Chicago, Illinois Via bobstenzel@gmail.com

Our Facebook post showing Browns QB and Case mathematics instructor Frank Ryan scrambling against the Dallas Cowboys in 1963 prompted several responses, including this one:

I was a student in his first class. Class met at 7 am. Sometimes he didn't look all that great on Monday morning.

The class was Complex Analysis or a similar title. It was not an understatement.

Joseph N. Craig ’69 Ellicott City, Maryland Via Facebook

The annual fall Pumpkin Drop of the Physics & Astronomy Club brought this nostalgic response from a former astronomy student.

I matriculated Case Tech in 1971 as an astronomy major. There are any number of reasons as to why I didn't graduate with that degree; we'll just leave it with “It was the early 70's…” I have been developing software for 43 years and co-own PDF Systems, Inc. But, I've never lost my fascination with things astronomical. Today is Halloween in our tiny town in western North Carolina, and as I left the office with my dog to stroll through the town, closed off for festivities, I encountered the PARI booth.

When we moved here, I knew that the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute was close by and vowed to get up there. As I chatted with people at the booth, I mentioned that I was at Case and here was the response — “We've just acquired all the glass plates from the Case observatory. They had no place to store them!” So now, when I do stop up, I'll be able to check out some of the old Warner & Swasey glass plates!

Nice to see the Physics & Astronomy club out and around and having fun!

Tom Fulton ’75 Via Facebook

Our online story about the electric scooters now whisking students across campus drew this question:

That would have been helpful back in the days – wonder how they do in the snow and ice, though.

Oanh Loi-Powell Via Facebook

Many were excited about the Spartan football team making the playoffs, led by science and engineering majors like quarterback Drew Saxton.

Yes, these are true scholar-athletes who play often before small crowds & without athletic scholarships. They play for the love of the game and team.

Cindy Fitch Via Facebook