Wabash College - Class of 1991

Yesterday was most likely the last 80° day we'll see in central Indiana this year. Already the once lush summer coloring of the trees is beginning to resemble the stale green of a traffic light long overdue to change to yellow and then red.

I wax poetic because it's suddenly fall again, dammit. That means Homecoming at Wabash. It's already upon us (well at least next week it is). On campus, freshmen are being drilled on Old Wabash (damned second verse!) and the hammering of float building is beginning. We hope you can make it to campus with your family to revel in this year's activities. For the official schedule, click here. You can also sign up by clicking here.

One addendum to the schedule is, of course, the "unofficial" Class of 1991 Tailgate (the official tailgate is reserved this year for the Bell Game on November 11). We hope to see you behind Hollett Little Giant Stadium.

Question: What's wrong with this picture?
Answer: This year, apparently nothing.

When you visit campus this fall, you may think that the Phi Delts did an especially productive job on rush with all the freshmen wearing pots. Through efforts of the Sphinx Club and a newly formed Senior Council, rhynies in six other fraternities (Betas, Delts, FIJI, Sig Chi, Theta Delts, and Tekes) have elected to wear pots this semester. Now, you can even buy pots in the bookstore for about $10. The Bachelor details how the little green beanies with the red bills and buttons came back in vogue. (story)

According to my inquiries, the tradition of freshmen wearing pots was officially discontinued in 1970 after the dissolution of the Senior Council. Beginning in the fall of 1972, Phi Delt freshmen have voted to continue this tradition and have continued to do so for the past 35 years. Over those years, some other houses have carried on the tradition in their own way: Beta rhynes made their own pots and only wore them inside their house; Delt pledges wore baseball caps with their letters on them.

When I wore a pot, it was always good to have alumni from other houses come up to me on campus, and say, "It's great to see the Phi Delts carry on the tradition."

It's been a little distressing to see the lack of decorum with which some of these freshmen have been wearing their pots (on the back of their heads, sideways or backwards, inside campus buildings, or off campus) or not tipping properly. Thank goodness for religion professor and alum Dr. David Blix '70, who devoted part of his Chapel talk to provide an instructional primer on proper pot etiquitte. (You can read a review of his speech and even hear his full speech here.)

I have learned that several houses are not requiring their pledges to wear pots on the weekends. Perhaps this is so that they won't be forced to tip Phi Delt alumni during football games!

I just received an e-mail from Kim Jackson, who is pleased to report:

I was named a Rising Star in Georgia by Law & Politics Magazine and its Super Lawyers publications. Law & Politics identifies Rising Stars by ballots from the most recent group of Super Lawyers, the top 5 percent of attorneys in the state. Super Lawyers are chosen based on a general survey to all attorneys who have been licensed in the state for five years or more, as well as extensive independent credentials research, a panel review process and a final review and check of good standing by the research department. This is my second year in a row of receiving this honor.

I am still a partner at Hawkins & Parnell, LLP, which has offices in Atlanta, Dallas, and Charleston, WV. My litigation practice focuses on professional liability defense (legal, accounting, and other nonmedical professional malpractice), insurance coverage litigation, commercial litigation, and catastrophic injury litigation.

My daughter, Zoe, began kindergarten in August. My second daughter, Iva, is due to be born on October 9, but she may have other plans.

I will let you know when that happens.

Congratulations, Kim, and best of luck to you and your wife.

Refer a Student

In my recent e-mail exchanges with Scott Royer, he mentioned that, as a teacher, he had the names of two McCutcheon High School seniors who were interested in Wabash. He was interested in bringing them up for the Bell game this year. He also wondered how he could get them plugged into our Admissions Office.

That’s easy. Aumni referrals are so much a part of admissions that you can find information right on the College’s Alumni page (http://www.wabash.edu/alumni/admissions). Here, you can do the following:

W Refer a student online. Just enter as much information as you can gather. You can even input your 2-month-old son on the system!

W Learn more about how you can become an admissions volunteer.

W Find out more about the admissions staff and locate the staffer who’s responsible for recruiting kids in your area.

According the Admissions Office, referrals remain our best source for prospective students. Students referred by an alumnus are 10 times more likely to apply than any other source they have and twice as likely to enroll. Plus, they are just as strong, if not stronger, academically than other names they receive. At the Class Agents Forum a few weeks ago, Admissions Director Steve Klein reported that the number of referrals they have received for the next freshman class is down by roughly 200 compared to last year. Let’s not get complacent here, gang!

You don’t need to be a high school teacher like Scott. Even if you read about an outstanding high school junior or senior in the paper or teaching your daughter swim lessons, pass his name along. Your classmates who referred students last year include Jeff Grabill, Aaron Kroemer, Lance More, Tim Oliver, Dave Stensland, Matt Stephens, Marty Tuohy, George Valaika, Ross Weatherman, and Jeff Wilson. Let’s set a goal of doubling that this year.

Fall Visit Days

The fall visit days will have a different look and feel compared to previous year. Instead of 2 large programs, we are offering 6 class visits days designed to provide prospective students an opportunity to customize their visit. A student’s day will include a welcome from the Admissions staff, a tour, a class, lunch in a living unit, a faculty or coach interview, and an official interview. In order to accommodate the needs of all the students, we’re capping registration at 20 students per day (seniors only for these events).

The remaining fall class visit days for this year will be held on October 6, October 20, November 3, November 17, and December 1. For more information about the visit days and registration information, surf over to www.wabash.edu/admissions/visit/fallvisitdays. If a student cannot join us on those dates or is an underclassman, he can contact our office to schedule a visit for another day.

Top Ten Visit Day

This year’s Top Ten Scholarship Visit Day is November 8. Students ranking in the top ten percent of their classes are eligible to attend this program. Students who participate in the program and complete applications to Wabash can earn a $12,500 annual merit-based scholarship. Students in the top five percent will receive awards worth $15,000 per year. Registration information is available at www.wabash.edu/admissions/visit/topten.

If you need any information, feel free to contact your class agents or Chip Timmons, Associate Director of Admissions (765.361.6054, or email timmonsc@wabash.edu).

Luke Messer addressed students at Wabash on Tuesday. Here's the rundown of his remarks from the College Web site. What follows is the article that appeared in this week's Bachelor. Way to represent, Luke!

Luke Messer ’91 Wrestles with Crocodiles

JONATHAN TORREZ
WABASH ’10

Messer ‘91 addressed faculty, students, and locals Sept. 19 at Baxter 101. His presentation was titled “Political Persuasion: How the Academic Lessons of Wabash College Apply to the Rough and Tumble World of State and Federal Politics.”

“When thinking of Wabash and how it contributed to my life, there is no comparison of what the college has done to influence me more than any other ... other than my family and my faith,” Messer said.

At the presentation, Messer provided an interesting anecdote demonstrating many of his valuable life lessons. The story begins as such: an old millionaire buys a ranch with a pool full of crocodiles. He invites family and friends to a party and tells the attendees that if any are willing to swim through the pool, then he will purchase anything the person might want. With no takers, everyone goes inside to eat, but a splash is heard. Everyone turns to find a young man wrestling and fighting crocodiles and eventually gets out of the pool on the other side. With the young man huffing outside the pool, the rancher said, “I did not think anyone would do that. But I am a man of my word. Tell me what you wish and it will be provided.”

The young man answered, “Yeah, I want to know who pushed me into the pool!”

His remarks were not just about crocodiles. Messer used the story as a metaphor to describe how courage is key to success in life and how people need a little push getting through hardship. Throughout his life, Messer proved courageous through difficult yet rewarding choices, such as the decision to attend Wabash College and Vanderbilt University for rigorous higher learning, or entering the world of politics and intrigue.

“I was a young man of 27 wondering, ‘Where am I going in life?’ I had three choices of careers to choose from: basketball, theater, and politics. Not really wanting to coach basketball or go to Hollywood to be in movies, my future, I knew, lead to politics.”

Messer described his path in the political realm in a variety of ways: giving out resumes to local politicians, running congressional campaigns, and eventually becoming Assistant Majority Leader in the Indiana General Assembly.

“It is a general consensus that my colleagues and I feel that a liberal arts education prepares anyone for public speaking. Education at Wabash is second to none. Wabash is hard because life is hard. This is a place for the determined, hungry, and intellect,” Messer said.

This ability to speak has allowed him to help pass a reform education bill through the legislature that is designed to help decrease dropout rates.

“The saying goes that ninety-nine percent of persuasion does not happen at the podium,” Messer said. “With this bill, many thought they were going to be affected by it negatively. A committee and I went around the state to address concerns with local school districts, teacher unions, and many more. The argument was there, and by conversing with individuals the job was done for the good of the children.”

When the speech was over, Messer answered questions. “This is the time when students start the specifics to achieve their dreams. As an alumnus, I am more than obligated to help point a student in the right direction or talk about a certain policy dear to their heart,” Messer said.

Messer was born at Evansville, Ind., graduated from Wabash College Suma Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, and majored in speech. He represents the 57th District that encompasses Shelby and Bartholomew counties. He serves on the Election and Apportionment and Ways and Means Committees. He also served as Executive Director for the Republican State Party. He was named one of the “Fifty Most Influential Hoosiers” by Howey Political Report and “Top Forty under Forty” by Indianapolis Business Journal. He will be retiring from office after the end of this term.

Lately, it seems that an update from a classmate results in a followup. Such is that case with Scott Royer who was featured in the Lafayette Journal and Courier last Friday.

Take 5 with Tim

Reporter Tim Brouk asks arts folks for the scoop on their latest projects

When Scott Royer became a U.S. history teacher at McCutcheon High School, he found his acoustic guitar to be as useful as an educational tool as a textbook. Having played guitar for about 20 years, Royer researches old protest, workers rights and war songs and plays them for his students. After playing for a tough crowd of teenagers, Royer has found it easy to get in on the downtown coffeehouse and bar scene as a performer.

1 What are some songs that you use in class?
There's a lot out there. When I teach about labor struggles of the early 20th century, I would play songs by Woody Guthrie and Billy Bragg. Guthrie had one song about the 1913 massacre in Calumet, Mich., where 73 people died during a Christmas party of striking copper miners. The event is not in most history text books.

2 How did you get your start playing out in public?
About a year and a half ago, I started playing at open mics at Skylight Coffeehouse. (Local musician) Jeff All was hosting them, and I had known him for years. He encouraged me to play out on my own.

3 Do your students ever see you perform?
Yes, and they're always surprised. I think they think we as teachers only have a life in the classroom.

4 What kind of music do you usually play?
It's usually a weird, eclectic mix. It's folk and blues type music but then I'll play a Clash song.

5 What keeps you wanting to get out there and still perform?
Once I got going and playing out, it has an addicting effect, and that encourages you to learn more songs and to write and to practice more.

Scott picked up an acoustic guitar, oh about, our junior year and began playing songs like REM's "Don't Go Back to Rockville" in his room. His love of the blues and his guitar talent have grown over the years. Just as a note, you may remember Jeff All as half of the acoustic duo Twopenny Hangover that played several Percolators down in the LGR back in the day.

Speaking of Wabash Day, the time is approaching for the 2nd Annual event.

Wabash Alumni Benefiting And Serving Humanity

Wabash Day was begun last year by the National Association of Wabash Men. It is a national day of community service planned by alumni and carried out by alumni and their families around the country. As the Gentleman's Rule requires Wabash men to be responsible citizens and in keeping with the College's mission, alumni improve their communities with a variety of projects.

Alumni around the country can pick either October 14 or 15 to volunteer for a project. As usual, Class of '91ers are getting involved: in addition to Tim Oliver (whom I mentioned below) Lance More and Marty Tuoy are heading up project in southwest Chicago. (more)

As of today, here is a list of sites around the country:

To volunteer or to learn more about Wabash Day, please contact Jon Pactor '71 at (317) 636-0686 or pactorlaw@iquest.net.

Back in school, QB Brett Butler could count on Tim Oliver to handle a handoff. Today, whenever we on the Indianapolis Association of Wabash Men board need a goto guy, we look to Tim. The former IAWM president helps organize the Mitchum Crock golf tournament every year. And recently, he ably helped organize and host a very well-attended reception for Wabash's new president, Dr. Pat White and his wife, Chris on Thursday night.

Next month, he's heading up a group of volunteers to provide fix-up and garden work for Joy's House (a center for adult day services) during W.A.B.A.S.H. Day. Keep up the good work, Tim.