The Whiteman family was honored as Family of the Year for its many years of service to Monmouth College. From left are President Ditzler, Harriet Southerlan Whiteman ’65, Dave Whiteman ’66, Don Whiteman ’49, Dick Whiteman ’64, Barbara Whiteman Garland ’49 and Ralph Whiteman ’52.
Other award winners at the President’s Homecoming Gala included (clockwise, from bottom left): Marta Tucker, professor of mathematics and computer science, Hatch Award for Distinguished Teaching; Key Yang ’50, Distinguished Alumnus; William Goldsborough ’65, Distinguished Service; and Eric Hanson ’98, Young Alumnus.
How Perry Como saved the day
“professor fox is the reason I am standing here tonight,” declared Joe Tait ’59 as he
received MC’s highest honor—induction into the Hall of Achievement. Tait, who pursued a career in sports broadcasting after Monmouth College and has been the radio voice of the Cleveland Cavaliers for 38 years, told the President’s Homecoming Gala audience how radio almost led to his academic undoing at Monmouth, but ultimately saved him, thanks to the intervention of the late classics professor Bernice Fox. “My senior year, I worked full-time at the local radio station,” Tait explained, “and her Greek mythology class started at exactly the time my show went off the air. I needed that class to graduate, but I just couldn’t get there in time. Longtime Cleveland Cavaliers “I got a note from Miss Fox late in the semester and she said she would like to see me. ‘You broadcaster Joe Tait ’59 (right) is congratulated by President haven’t been in my class all year and you haven’t taken a test,’ she told me. ‘I have to fail you, Ditzler for his induction into and your grades will not be adequate for you to graduate.’ the Hall of Achievement. “’Guilty as charged,’ I admitted. As I was leaving, however, all I could think about was ‘How am I going to tell my father?’ “As I got to the door, she said, ‘There is one thing we may be able to do to save you. I get up at 7 each morning. I go out and get my paper; I brew my cup of tea, and sit at my table to read the paper. What would really make my day is if you could play a Perry Como record on the radio each morning at 7:45. If you do this, I will pass you.’” Years later, Tait said he was telling this story to then-president Bruce Haywood. Haywood, who knew Fox’s reputation for being demanding professor, was skeptical and told Tait he would ask her about it next time he saw her. Tait, who had promised Fox never to say a word, was horrified. “I didn’t realize she was still alive,” he said. When Haywood eventually confronted Fox and asked if the story was true, Tait related, she stared him right in the eyes and replied, “Guilty as charged!”
The fieldhouse of Huff Athletic Center was transformed into an elegant dining room for the third annual President’s Homecoming Gala.
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monmouth | spring 2010
homecoming 2009