Michigan State University

I graduated from Michigan State University in 1961, began teaching at Kearsley High School in Flint, Michigan, thanks to George Daly, Superintendent of Schools then. Kearsley was only about three blocks from where my parents lived and so it was very convenient for me to take the place of a woman who had become pregnant and was on leave. I began teaching sophomores that year under the guidance of Edwin Stephon, a really great principal in whom I still believe strongly.

I grew up in Ohio, and attended Kent State University for two years before my father was transferred to Flint by the Buckeye Pipeline to become a supervisor for the company there. In that time between college years, I spent the summer in Illinois, working at a country club where I fell in love for the first time, suffered a broken heart, returned to Ohio, unable to continue my education at Kent State University, and so waited until winter term to enter Michigan State University. My transcript from Kent State University went to the University of Michigan which had a semester plan, but both Kent and State were on quarter plans which I liked better so I finally made it into Michigan State University.

I had no real interest in school then despite having done so well at Kent State because I was mending a broken heart, was emotionally unable to commit to anything, and frankly did not even try that first quarter to attend any but a few of my classes. My professors at Michigan State University proved to be kind men who saved me when I needed a friend, and gradually brought me through to begin a renewed interest in the academic work that I was there to complete.

So I made a few friends at the dorm where I lived, and only one person have I found besides myself in this alumni directory. I had forgotten the name of a close friend until just a few minutes ago to see if she responded. I guess a lot of these old time friends want to be forgotten and left alone as many did not respond so that we could all reconnect together sometime in the future.

I did write up a short statement and included a photo to be printed so that I have both my statement and my photo in this directory. Turns out to be funny in a way, as I ended the statement with a catchphrase which has now become the name of a catfood, and also is now a part of a campaign in our apartment building. I am actually using the catfood as it is a good recipe and my cat likes it. I had ended my statement saying "enjoying the good life." a trite enough phrase, but now I am seeing it everywhere.

Very amusing to me.