>In Box
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enjoyed reading the fall 2017 issue of Willamette magazine. I did, however, find an error in your article about the women of the university (“Herstory,” p. 14). You identify Suresht Bald as the first female faculty member of color in the university. However, Marta Velez was an outstanding Spanish professor many years before Dr. Bald was hired. I had the distinct pleasure of studying Spanish under Marta and serving as her senior assistant. She brought the flavors of her native Cuba alive in the classroom. As a powerful Latina, she deserves recognition for helping diversify the faculty of Willamette University. — Cammy Shay ’80
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n response to your “Herstory” article, I would advocate for adding/ recognizing Mary Eyre, class of 1918. She was an inspiration to me (I was one of her Willamette scholarship recipients) and many generations of students. Mary helped save historic houses, such as Deepwood, taught schoolchildren for decades and advocated for world peace. Mary was also one of Willamette’s commencement speakers (I think the first woman). I have a souvenir copy of her address — it was very important to her.
Editor’s Note: In 1975 Mary Eyre was indeed Willamette’s first female commencement speaker — at the age of 78. After graduating from Willamette with a history degree, Mary embarked on a 40-year teaching career in Salem high schools that was recognized by the naming of an elementary school in her honor. In 1962 Mary received an Alumni Citation from Willamette, and in 1973 she was named Salem’s Outstanding Citizen. She passed away in 1999 at the age of 102. Correction: The “Herstory” article in the fall 2017 magazine stated that Willamette University introduced coed dining facilities in 1967. In fact, this change happened in fall 1970. We apologize for the error.
Where’s Tufton? “Wow! I had no idea that after graduating from Willamette, Tufton went on to found Beamish Optics,” joked Suzanne Snell ‘09, who was the first reader to spot the Tufton Beamish reference in the eclipse watchers photograph on p.31 of the fall issue.
— Brandy O’Bannon ’98, MBA’00
magazine@willamette.edu or send letters to
University Communications Willamette University 900 State Street, Salem OR 97301. Published correspondence may be edited for length and clarity.
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SPRING 2018
Where’s Tufton hiding in this issue? Send your sightings to magazine@willamette.edu.