THE F I NAL W O R D
Time to tell new stories When I was much younger, I had a poster of Linus hanging on my bedroom wall with the quote: “I love mankind … it’s the people I can’t stand.” My opinion really hasn’t changed over the past 60 years. It’s an odd view of the world, especially for someone who makes his living interviewing and writing about people. But I’ve always believed that telling their stories serves as another opportunity to understand us (mankind) better. I’ve covered government meetings, murder trials, elections, economic issues, sporting events, state championships, national title runs, natural disasters, charitable causes, births, and deaths. I have been called every name in the book, had my car vandalized, threatened with lawsuits and even death over a few written words. I have also received kind letters, brownies, a few beers, and a handful of awards for others. The letters, brownies, beers, and awards far outnumber the death threats, by the way. My formal introduction to Culver came at the right time for me. It had been years since I had been on campus. I had since married and had a 9-, 7- and 3-year-old. I met Doug Haberland at a Plymouth High School career day. We spoke about journalism, public relations, and writing. Once the kids learned what local reporters were paid, nobody was interested. A few weeks later, a mutual friend told me a position in Doug’s department had opened. I applied, interviewed, and started on Dec. 4, 2000. Since that time, I have written about allschool meetings, elections, political figures, inaugurals, economic issues, state championships, national title runs, charitable causes, births, and deaths. I’ve still received the letters, emails, brownies, beers, and awards. And I’ve avoided the death threats, which was a nice change. Our stories have gone from all print to nearly all digital. We have converted from film to digital cameras. Interview methods now include Zoom calls, Team sessions, and FaceTime. Our offices have moved once and will soon be moving again.
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WINTER/SPRING 2022
This time, though, when the marketing shot, rocked a homerun, and won a close and communications team moves, I won’t game. I’ve seen their disappointment when be making the trip. I’ll be moving, too — into they fail. And I’ve listened as they talk about retirement. Writing that sounds like I’ll be joinovercoming personal obstacles to rise to a ing the horses in the Sarge Hudson pasture. new level of helping others. I will continue to write. Maybe a few more When explaining the student experience, words about Culver. Maybe not. But the Hal Holbrook ’42 said it best: “There are placwriting will be on my schedule. After 52 years es on this campus where I have lived … and of meeting deadlines, it’s time to retreat, died — and out of that I got me.” relax, and refresh for a new, slower advenAnd, for 21 years, I’ve had a front row seat ture. Whether I will enjoy — yes, I used the to it all. E-word for those who know me — it as much as my time at Culver is an unknown. Culver is the longest job I’ve held by 11 years. I estimate a quarter of my wardrobe has the Culver logo on it. My “daily duty” includes ties older than the kids on campus. My kids have graduated from Culver and college now. I thought about leaving through If you need me, I’ll be hanging with the boys on the “Serengeti.” the years. Yet, I stayed. I stayed because of the kids. They continue That’s also why it’s time to move on. to amaze me. I always want to see how they Writing about Culver kids for this audience is develop over their Culver careers. There are preaching to the choir. Now, after two years of the Type A kids who begin to mellow and watching people go for each other’s throats enjoy themselves. The Type B kids who find through their masks, I feel compelled to tell their niche and excel. The great athletes who similar stories outside the Culver bubble — become great students. The great students especially about kids — that will help restore who become great athletes. And the total our faith in each other and the future. Words strangers who become brothers and sisters. can heal. I’m betting those stories are out Sometimes, they become husbands and there. They just need a viable public platform. wives. I may be disappointed. I hope not. I’ve seen their eyes light up as they explain But, if I do fail, I have that retiree privilege a newly understood scientific principle or of visiting campus to have my faith in manphilosophical concept. I’ve been on the sidekind restored. lines and courtside when they have made a — Jan Garrison great catch, scored a goal, hit the last second