Wabash College - Class of 1991

Got a good tip that our classmate and Morgan County Circuit Court Judge Matt Hanson was profiled in his local paper. Sure enough, here’s the story for Monday’s Reporter-Times. (Caution: This article is horribly written.)

Hanson back on bench

Keith Rhoades
krhoades@reportert.com
October 27, 2008

MARTINSVILLE–After an absence of more than a year, Morgan County Circuit Court Judge Matt Hanson is back on the bench. Hanson served as a captain in the National Guard and spent five months in Iraq.

Hanson said his time in Iraq “was definitely interesting and a learning experience” and that it was nothing like it is portrayed on television.

Hanson’s unit dealt with Iraqi citizens who were charged with crimes.

“We basically moved them around and made sure they were where they were supposed to be,” he said. He did not deal with American citizens or soldiers.

Hanson said there have been some changes at home since he left.

“There are a lot of new faces in the prosecutor’s office,” he said.

He said Morgan Count Prosecutor, Steve Sonnega, is still serving, but will be home soon. Hanson said Sonnega and Morgan County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Bob Cline will probably pass each other as Sonnega comes home and Cline is deployed.

While Hanson was gone, Brian H. Williams was the judge pro tem in his place. When he returned, Hanson regained his spot on the bench.

“The very first day I was here I had some initial hearings and all the words were still there in my head,” he said.

Hanson was in the service for about a year and a half, and he was in Iraq for about five months. He sustained a back injury and was sent home for medical treatment.

He called the place where he was interesting with lots of history. He took about 3,000 pictures of some of the sites.

One place stuck out. Hanson said they called it the “Flinstone Village.” He said it was the place where Saddam Hussein built a playground for his grandchildren.

“It was a massive place with elevators, staircases, electronic toys, and other items for his grandchildren,” Hanson said. “It was clearly a place for kids” he said.

Hanson said Hussein was building a “Victory over America” palace for one of his sons. Hussein called the incident in 1991 a victory for Iraq and was in the process of building a palace to celebrate it.

Hanson said there was still a lot of work that needed be done when American troops took the place.

For the most part, Hanson said his contact with the civilians was limited. The few people he did meet were nice. Hanson said he shared some meals with a few civilians, but his job did not require him to go outside the camp into areas of Iraq. It was still a war zone and people had to be careful.

While in Iraq, Hanson had a lot of spare time. The shifts were normally 12 hours on duty and 12 hours off duty. During that time, he began writing a book about the places he saw and the experiences he had. He said some of the book is fiction, but some is based on real events.

“I’ve re-written it several times,” he said. As for having it published, Hanson sometimes he thinks he will look for a publisher, while at times, “I want to put it in the closet and bring it out in 30 years and read it.” He said it was “something fun” to do while he was there.

He is working on another book about politics.

Hanson said he was able to follow what happened in Morgan County by reading www.reporter-times.com.

Now he looks forward to getting back into a normal routine, which is easier said than done for soldiers returning from Iraq, he said.

Local coming back and will need time and help, Hanson said. They will need help to find jobs and get back with their families. And Hanson said they will need time, time to get to back into civilian life.

As for returning to the states, Hanson said people have been wonderful. He said, unlike after the Vietnam Conflict, people have been happy to see the troops come home.

One of the first things Hanson did when he got back into his office was put his Washington Redskins items back on the shelf behind his desk.

Hanson commended Williams for his work.

“Williams gave up his private practice to work on the bench,” he said. “That took a leap of faith.”

The battle of conference unbeatens on Family Day this past Saturday gave Wabash it’s seventh win of the season 45-24 over Wooster and vaulted the Littlle Giants to a third ranking on the D3football.com Top 25.

The real challenge to our gridders this season has been an easy schedule against sub-500 teams like U of Chicago and Kenyon. They face Oberlin (2-5,2-2) this weekend and Hiram (2-5,1-3) before the BIG GAME on Nov. 15. Will they be ready for the currently 5-2 Dannies? Will Coach Raeburn have these guys ready for playoffs?

I’m feeling pretty confident. These guys look good so far!

Every once in awhile–especially when there’s a long stretch without class updates–I resort to one of the best untapped resources that the College has: The Robert T. Ramsay, Jr. Archival Center. It’s a great resource of tapping Wabash history, and its archivist, Beth Swift, is a wonderful and helpful person.

Recently, Beth started a blog covering Wabash history, called Dear Old Wabash. Check it out. It’s great for learning about the history of our alma mater.

For instance, we all know about the Senior Bench, but did you know that there used to be a Junior Fence?

October 15, 2008

Memo

To:        Wabash College Alumni

From:    President Patrick E. White

As many of you may know, the Wabash College community suffered a great loss on October 5 when freshman Johnny Dupree Smith was found dead in the Delta Tau Delta chapter house. Separate investigations by the Crawfordsville Police Department, the Wabash Dean of Students Office, and Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity are ongoing. We do not know the cause of death at this time.

Our first concern in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy was the welfare of the young men in Delta Tau Delta and Johnny’s friends in the Class of 2012. The College extended the hours and availability of its counseling services and provided students, faculty, and staff contact information for 24-hour counseling services. Additionally, members of the College administration, Wabash’s Delta Tau Delta alumni, and representatives from the International Fraternity have been available to console students since the tragedy. I am thankful to all of the alumni who have reached out to our students at this difficult time.

The College also communicated with the parents of current students the next day to reassure them that we were focused on their sons’ emotional and physical well-being.

On Thursday, October 9, following an on-campus memorial service for Johnny Smith, Wabash suspended the Delta Tau Delta pledge program and all social activities through the duration of the investigation. Delta Tau Delta International also temporarily suspended chapter operations as its investigation continues. That same day, two Wabash staff moved into the house as a resource for students and to manage general house operations, and they will remain in the house throughout the suspensions.

On Tuesday, October 14, I called the Wabash College community together for a mandatory meeting in the Pioneer Chapel to discuss, among other things, the Gentleman’s Rule in the context of our educational mission to think critically, act responsibly, lead effectively, and live humanely. In my remarks, I called on all members of the Wabash community - including alumni - to continue this important teaching and learning conversation.

Immediately after Fall Break, I will seek out members of the alumni body to join with faculty, staff, parents, and members of my administrative team to engage our young men in face-to-face conversations about gentlemanly conduct and the practice of good citizenship at Wabash.

That’s right. One month until the 115th Monon Bell Classic. You’ll be glad to know that it’s at dear old Wabash this year. Here’s a quick guide for the big game.

GAME: 1:05 p.m. EST, Hollett Little Giant Stadium, Crawfordsville, IN
SERIES: 53-52-9 advantage Wabash
TICKETS: $15 on sale now at the bookstore. Get ‘em while they’re hot.
W PASS: “W” Pass holders are entitled to one free ticket to the game. You can either pick up your tickets at the Bookstore during normal business hours, or reserve their ticket through the Bookstore and pick it up at the Will Call window on game day. E-email at nlinestore@wabash.edu, or phone 765.361.6408 during business hours 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST Monday-Friday.
RUMOR: I do not have any confirmation to the rumor that ESPN College Gameday will be broadcasting from campus that morning, but I’m happy to spread it. Keep checking their Web site for details.
TELECAST PARTIES: Currently, there are about 60 set up all across the country. Find yours here.
LIVE BROADCAST: Again this year, the game will be broadcast on HDNet. “The Monon Bell Classic is one of the great college rivalries, and we look forward to working with DePauw and Wabash each fall,” says Mark Cuban, president and co-founder of HDNet. “After 114 meetings, these two teams are separated by only one victory! As a college football fan, what more could you as for?”

TAILGATE: The Official Class of ‘91 Tailgate will commence before the game behind Little Giant Stadium. Click here to RSVP. Wanna help us organize it? Contact me.

Better late than never, here are some pictures from the Homecoming alumni swim meet. I’ll only say that I swam right at my seed times; I adjusted for lapsing back out of shape. Here are your winners.

STurk gets ready for the 100 individual medley.

Dave Riggs didn’t swim, but he brought his son. (Club Wolverine was Michael Phelps’ swim club while he attended U of Michigan.)

Recruiting for Wabash Swimming starts early!

The banner on the right marks our class’ place in history.

Following on the heels of a memorial service for freshman Johnny Smith on Thursday, Wabash and Delta Tau Delta Internationals have suspended operations of the Beta Psi chapter.

So, what exactly does that mean? Well, the chapter, which just had its dedication on Sept. 20 following a full renovation, becomes a glorified dorm. Two younger Wabash staff members from the Career Services Office have moved into the house and are helping the chapter members during this very difficult time.

This sad incident was most assuredly a primary agenda topic for the Wabash Trustees who are meeting this weekend.

President White has called a mandatory Chapel for Tuesday.

Read the students’ reactions in this week’s Bachelor.

Indianapolis Star
October 11, 2008

Wabash fraternity suspended after teen’s death

Action from college, national organization follows teen’s death

By Robert King
robert.king@indystar.com

The Wabash College fraternity in which a freshman member died last weekend has been placed under suspension by the college and its national parent organization.

The 60 men living in the Delta Tau Delta house at Wabash will continue to remain in the residence, but the suspension means they can conduct no social functions, initiation rituals, recruiting, chapter meetings or other formal activities.

“Anything relating to fraternity activities has been suspended — a complete cessation of everything not related to academic work or personal health and safety,” said Jim Amidon, a college spokesman.

There are roughly 70 Delta fraternity members total, with the rest living apart from the house.

On Thursday, Wabash moved two of its college employees into the house. Amidon said they would remain there throughout the suspension period in order to conduct the chapter’s administrative functions.

The suspension follows the death last weekend of 18-year-old Johnny Smith, who pledged the fraternity this fall and moved into the Delta house.

Smith’s relatives said he had felt pressure to drink at the fraternity and had been found dead Sunday morning in a pool of his own vomit.

Authorities have not concluded their investigation and have not said definitively that alcohol was involved.

Neither Amidon nor Jim Russell, executive vice president of Delta Tau Delta International headquartered in Fishers, would comment on the investigations each organization is conducting into the incident. The law enforcement investigation won’t be concluded until toxicology tests conducted on Smith are returned to the Montgomery County coroner. That could take several weeks.

A funeral for Smith is scheduled for today in his hometown of Tucson, Ariz. Representatives from the college and the fraternity are expected to attend. A memorial service was held on campus Thursday.

Amidon said the suspension was intended to take the burdens of running the chapter off the students and to help the investigation.

Russell, who met with fraternity members Thursday, said the suspension would help the fraternity members “refocus” on school and be respectful of Smith. “These kids are hurting,” he said.

“They have lost a friend. They have been through a very tragic situation,” he said. “They are under pressure to go to school anyway. We want them to get focused on those things, and the fraternity can take a back seat for now.”

On Sunday, Wabash woke to a very bad hangover following Homecoming. Wabash lost a freshman. In the wake of this unthinkable tragedy, we will have to face criticism that the Gentleman’s Rule doesn’t work in today’s society. Here’s the article in yesterday’s Indianapolis Star.

What are your thoughts?

October 7, 2008

Student death may be 2nd linked to drinking

Some question whether Wabash College needs more alcohol education

By Heather Gillers, Francesca Jarosz and Dan McFeely

heather.gillers@indystar.com

The Wabash College student who died over the weekend appears to be the second freshman in a year to die in alcohol-related incidents during his first semester on campus.

Crawfordsville police are investigating whether alcohol was involved in the death of 18-year-old Johnny Smith, who was found dead at his Delta Tau Delta fraternity house Sunday morning.

Smith’s relatives in Tucson, Ariz., said the aspiring engineer felt pressure from other fraternity members to drink. Relatives said they think he drank too much during homecoming festivities before his fraternity brothers put him to bed.

Smith’s death follows an incident in October 2007 when freshman Patrick Woehnker, 19, died after falling off the roof of a campus building. Montgomery County Coroner Darren Forman said alcohol was a contributing factor.

Now, students and administrators at the all-male college are questioning whether enough is done to teach freshmen about the dangers of alcohol. Unlike the state’s major public universities and some other small private colleges, 900-student Wabash does not dedicate part of its new student orientation to the topic.

Instead, it relies on a code that calls on students to be gentlemen and responsible citizens.

The school administration has been “very intentional about our expectations” with regard to underage drinking, said Mike Raters, the college’s dean of students, but he acknowledged that more could be done.

“Obviously our work needs to continue in our efforts to raise awareness of the gentleman’s rule and responsible citizenry,” he said. Raters questioned whether teaching students about the hazards of alcohol when they are too young to drink legally was the right thing to do.

“We don’t have a specific session in orientation that focuses on alcohol education because the overall premise of the gentleman’s rule and responsible citizenry emphasizes that they have to follow the law,” he said. “To have a special session on alcohol education would be in my mind contradictory to ‘follow the law.’ “

Alcohol education and the signs of alcohol poisoning are discussed during a twice-a-year workshop attended by fraternity leaders. Raters said the subject also sometimes comes up in weekly meetings involving college staff members, fraternity presidents and resident assistants.

Students cite traditions

Some students say Wabash is not immune to the underage drinking that takes place on other campuses. Traditions such as homecoming are an excuse for some students to drink excessively, said Spencer Elliott, a Wabash junior from Fort Wayne.

“Just like any football game — like (Indiana) versus Purdue — people go to the game drunk. Wabash is no different,” Elliott said. “People take these events as an occasion to party and get drunk.”

Wabash College President Patrick White said that in the two years he has been president of the school, he has never heard of a fraternity being disciplined for an alcohol-related incident, but some individuals have been disciplined for underage drinking.

Detectives told Smith’s family that he had been at a homecoming party Saturday night and that four fraternity brothers brought him back to his room very drunk, Smith’s aunt Sherri Taylor said Monday. She said they were told that a member of the fraternity stayed with Smith until about 4 a.m. Crawfordsville police said a 911 call from the frat house came in at 8:52 a.m. Sunday.

Relatives said Smith never drank alcohol growing up and had told his 19-year-old cousin Eddie Brown by phone last weekend that he felt pressure to drink to avoid humiliation in front of his fraternity brothers. “He never was in any kind of trouble,” said Monya Ballah, Smith’s grandmother.

Other schools have acted

Other schools have cracked down on hard-drinking fraternities and implemented curriculums aimed at preventing underage drinking.

Purdue University, for instance, provides a program that addresses alcohol for all students attending its five-day orientation, said Tammy Lowe, who oversees an initiative aimed at reducing high-risk drinking among first-year students.

At DePauw University, an alcohol task force with representatives from various campus departments works to be sure proper attention is focused on alcohol education.

Some students at Wabash say the school’s administration tries to let students regulate their own lives, and alcohol awareness training is no different.

“They leave the responsibility in the hands of each and every student,” said Jake Peacock, a Wabash freshman from Crawfordsville. “It’s up to us to make sure that stuff gets done.”

But advocates such as Ruth Gassman say more aggressive measures are needed. Gassman is executive director of the Indiana Prevention Resource Center at IU in Bloomington, which works to help prevent alcohol and drug problems.

She suggests measures such as requiring programs about drinking alcohol, providing alcohol-free and drug-free venues for students, and reducing advertising and promotion of alcoholic beverages on campus.

Elliott agreed that more should be done. He said that, ideally, the momentum should come from students rather than administrators.

“There are some things that need to be addressed,” Elliott said. “This may be the impetus for some of that to begin.”

In the summer of ‘05, with the contractors completing the new Phi Delt fraternity house, we had begun planning the dedication ceremony for Homecoming weekend.

“We need to do something for Ginny,” one of us said. “We need to properly dedicate something to the Hays family.”

Now, from the inception the Phi Delts’ participation in the Fraternity Partnership, we decided not to divvy up each room in commemoration of the big donors who would give to the campaign. Not that they didn’t deserve the recognition, but because we intended for the house to be a unified effort of brothers.

There are scores of fiercely loyal Wabash Phi Delts, but we all recognized that the Hays family towered above us. They were Phi Delt in every bit of how they were Wabash.

Before the dedication, I hand-delivered an invitation to her house, sitting right there on the corner of Crawford and Milligan Streets in the heart of campus. I knocked on the door. After a few moments, Ginny greeted me in a beige bathrobe. She couldn’t have been more gracious as we visited in her living room as if she were dressed in her best red dress with her jeweled Wabash pin.

During that weekend, I unveiled the plaque we had made to dedicate the formal room as the Hays room. We made a duplicate, and later Mike Dill ‘71 presented her with it during the dedication dinner. In the lingo of her generation, Ginny was definitely “got” by the presentations.

My recollection of Ginny and Bill Hays will most prominently be their handwritten notes. The Monday following their visit to the house after a home game, a note would be posted on the house bulletin board. Whenever I went down to practice in the old Cage, I would pass notes to the football or basketball teams from the Hayses, all in Ginny’s hand. These notes of loyal support in failure or genuine excitement in victory meant a lot to all of us who read them. They showed a devotion to Wabash that even the most loyal of her sons strives to match.

In the past few years, I would be up on campus after helping coach a swim practice and would stay for a Wabash home basketball game. I always enjoyed sitting up in the bleachers with Ginny and Fran Hollett. During a game against Wittenberg, the “Chadwick Crazies” started chanting “Ohio Sucks!” Leaning over for clarification, Ginny couldn’t quite make out the bawdy cheer. I replied, “The students are expressing their general displeasure with the state of Ohio.” Ginny responded with a smirk and a knowing laugh, realizing my chivalric attempt to spare her from repeating the crass cheer verbatim.

The matriarch of Wabash has passed, and I shall forever miss her devotion and undying support to this wonderful little school. I’ll be sure to leave a handwritten note at her grave to tell her so.

Submit your tribute here.
The Paper: Remembering Virginia Hays
Grunge Report: post1, post2