50th Reunion Photos: May 10, 2013
Comments by A. Jane Chambers
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The Class of 1963’s 50th Reunion, held at CNU, was an occasion very much enjoyed by all who attended. The Reunion Dinner, held on the second floor of the Library (see Program below), was attended by 11 former students, 5 former professors, over a dozen guests of both, and 15 CNU officials, including President and Mrs. Trible, the Provost, a Vice President, four Deans, four Directors, the Alumni Society President and other Alumni representatives, and a member of the Board of Visitors. The meal was delicious and the fellowship delightful. Unexpected but very welcome was the last-minute arrival of President Windsor, who had been delayed by a family emergency. He was almost moved to tears that he was able to make this group's celebration and asked several First Decaders to identify themselves.
Most of the officials had to leave afterwards to attend other functions related to Commencement Weekend, but Director of Alumni Relations Amie Graham and Assistant Director Lacey Grey Howard remained to usher our group through a photo session on the Library’s staircase, followed by a relaxing Wine and Dessert Reception in the downstairs Rotunda, and then a Candlelight Ceremony outside the Library, where the Class of 1963 alumni led the lighting of the candles of over 1000 members of the Class of 2013 (See program below).
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| 1963 CLASS members (63) with professors (Fac) and guests (G) pose on the CNU Library Staircase, May 10, 2013. Official CNU photograph. |
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Row 1 (L-R): Pat Garrow (63), Theresa Baldwin (G), Ernie Bretana (63) & daughter, Christine McKinley (G), Karen Graeb Stanley (64), Ann Wood (G), & Betty Pillow (G).
Row 2: Pat Baldwin (63), Doris McCauley Smith (63), Ellen Rankin Lasher (63), Patty Lottinville (63), Joyce Gold Conner (63), & Barry Wood (Fac).
Row 3: Mike Smith (63), Sharon Melson (G), Lee Lasher (G), Nancy StatonThomas (63). Row 4: Orvin Melson (63), John Greenwood (G), Claude Stanley (63), Jane Chambers (Fac), with Jim Windsor (Fac) behind her, & Graham Pillow (Fac). A few others attending did not get into this photograph.
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| Friday evening Dinner Program, May 10. Photo by Jane Chambers. |
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| Friday night Candlelight Program, May 10. Photo by Jane Chambers. |
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| Class of 1963 members pose on the Library staircase. Official CNU photo. |
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Row 1: (L-R) Patty Lottinville, Doris McCauley Smith, Ernie Bretana, Nancy Staton Thomas & Joyce Gold Conner.
Row 2: Orvin Melson, Pat Baldwin, Ellen Rankin Lasher, Claude Stanley & Pat Garrow.
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| At the sign-in desk, 1963 Class members and faculty received "Goody Bags" with various souvenirs. Photo by Jane Chambers. |
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| This small pewter tray ( almost 5" by 4") in each "Goody Bag" is beautiful but impossible to photograph accurately. |
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| The name tags all featured the original CNC seal, designed in 1962-63 by Dr. Augustine Maissen. It remained the official seal until 1970. Photo by Ellen Rankin Lasher (63). |
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| CNU President Paul Trible opened and closed the Friday evening dinner and Rosemary Trible delivered the meal's blessing. Photo by Ellen Rankin Lasher (63). |
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50th Reunion Photos:
Commencement, May 11, 2013
Comments by A. Jane Chambers
The weather was initially perfect at CNU the morning of May 11, 2013, but became somewhat uncomfortable as the morning progressed—particularly for those of us wearing academic regalia. Our Class of 1963 attendees—students, faculty and guests—were seated down front, to the right of the stage, so we had a very clear view of the Podium and the entire program; however, we also had the sun directly on our faces. Members of the CNU Wind Ensemble, seated to our right, with their backs to the sun, were shaded by a white canopy—which some of us began to covet around 11:00 A.M.
In her Daily Press article “CNU graduates record class Saturday,” Tara Bozick wrote that there were 1170 graduates, 114 of whom received advanced (i.e., masters) degrees, and 12,000 attendees (DP, 05/12/2013).
Though a handful of pebbles in that sea of people, our 1963 class—students and professors—was enthusiastically applauded when standing to be recognized.
Four of these first six photos were taken by CNU’s photographers and are a part of a gallery of 96 photos covering Commencement Weekend 2013. The following link leads to more CNU photos: http://bit.ly/13x1JyR.
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| May 11, 2013 Commencement: view of Great Lawn from Saunders' Fountain to McMurran Hall. Over 1000 students received degrees. CNU photo. |
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| View of Commencement from the middle of the Great Lawn. Notice giant screens. CNU photo. |
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| The Podium was the center of attention. Photo courtesy of Patrick Baldwin (63 FD, AA degree). |
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| Giant screens left and right of the Podium gave the audience of thousands close-up views of the ceremony. Photo courtesy of Fred Hardy (63 FD, AA degree). |
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| Graduating students threw their lucky pennies into Saunders' Fountain at the start of their march down the lawn. CNU photo. |
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| As senior professor, Dr. Mario Mazzarella carried the Mace and led the faculty procession for the last time, since he retired after this day. CNU photo. |
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The remaining photos were taken by members of our Class of 1963 and/or their family members. We thank all who submitted photos of these events that were a part of the 50th Reunion of the Class of 1963.
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| Two Pipers led the degree candidates to their seats. Photo by Fred Hardy (63, AA degree). |
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| CNU film crew recorded the procession and projected images to the giant screens. Photo by Fred Hardy. |
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| Pat Baldwin (63, AA degree) stood with others during the Processional. Pat Garrow (63, AA) is to his right (our left). Baldwin family photo. |
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| Members of Pat Baldwin's family standing during the Processional: (L-R) Stacy Seidnitzer (engaged to Travis), Travis Baldwin, and his brother Patrick H.B. Baldwin. Baldwin family photo. |
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| "Candid Camera" photo of some Class of 1963 members before the program began. L-R: Karen Graeb Stanley (64, AA degree), Patty Lottinville (63, AA degree), John Greenman (Patty's husband), Doris McCauley Smith (63), & Mike Smith (62). Standing: Claude Stanley (63). Hardy family photo. |
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| "Candid Camera" photo of the Class of 1963's faculty. L-R: Graham Pillow, Jim Windsor, Jane Chambers, Barry Wood & 1963 Class member Ernie Bretana. Photo by Claude Stanley (63). |
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More 50th Reunion Photos:
May 10 & 11, 2013
Comments by A. Jane Chambers
Photos 1 – 6 were taken by various people during Friday’s 50th Reunion events at CNU (May 10); the photos after that were taken during Saturday morning’s events before Commencement (May 11). Next week we will post various photos taken during Commencement itself.
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| During the Reunion Dinner, Class of 1963 members received this official CNU Alumni pin, fashioned after the 1970 CNC seal. Notice the wording "50th Reunion" at the bottom. Photo by Claude Stanley (63). The history of this second CNC seal is in our Website ARCHIVES, under the subtab First Decade History, in the essay "The Story of CNC's First Four-Year Class Ring and the Seal that Preceded It." |
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| Ellen Rankin Powell-Lasher (63) models her CNU Alumni pin on her red jacket during the Reunion Dinner. Lasher family photo. |
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| Claude Stanley (63), Patty Lottinville (63) & Karen Graeb Stanley (64) all look happy during the Dessert & Wine Reception in the Library Rotunda, following the Reunion Dinner. Photo by Patty's husband, John Greenman. |
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| Ernie Bretana (L) and Mike Smith talked with current CNU students at the Dessert Reception. CNU photo. |
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| Honorary CNU Alumni Certificates were awarded to the non-degree members of the Class of 1963 and a few others, including Michael A. Smith (62). Mike was one of about a dozen students who entered CNC as sophomores in the first year (1961-62) and completed their sophomore studies there. |
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| (L-R) Ernie Bretana, Pat Baldwin (with candle) and Pat’s wife, Theresa outside Trible Library before the Candlelight Ceremony. The Class of 1963's AA degree recipients had the honor of beginning the lighting of the candles of over 1000 members of CNU’s Class of 2013, part of the initiation of new members into the CNU Alumni Society. |
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| Saturday morning, in front of Freeman Center, after donning academic regalia: L-R--Barry Wood (fac), Georgia Hunter (fac), Patrick Baldwin (63 AA), guest Maureen Hardy, Fred Hardy (63 AA), Patty Lottinville (63 AA), Jane Chambers (fac), Graham Pillow (fac), Jim Windsor (fac & 2nd CNC pres), Doris McCauley Smith (63), Mike Smith (62), Patrick Garrow (63 AA), Claude Stanley (63), & Ernie Bretana (63). |
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| CNU provided academic gowns and a special 50th Reunion academic stole for Commencement. Official CNU photo. |
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| The academic stoles were given to 1963 class members as Reunion souvenirs. Photo by Claude Stanley (63). |
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| Fred Hardy (63 AA) poses in his academic regalia in the Freeman Center. Hardy family photo. |
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| Inside view of CNU's recently completed Pope Chapel, where the Class of 2013's Baccalaureate Ceremony was held. Photo by Patty Lottinville (63 AA). |
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| Patty Lottinville (63) titled this one "Dr. Jane Herself." Photo taken by Patty during the Dessert & Wine Reception Friday. |
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| 1963 Class & faculty Saturday morning in the Robing Room in Freeman Center. Hardy family photo. |
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| Class of 1963 members pose outside Freeman Center before Commencement begins. L-R: Pat Baldwin (63 AA), Patty Lottinville (63 AA), Fred Hardy (63 AA), Pat Garrow (63 AA), Doris McCauley Smith (63), Ernie Bretana (63), & Claude Stanley (63). Official CNU photo. |
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Center Stage: The Class of 1963
Part 1: The Beginning
by A. Jane Chambers
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May 10 and 11, 2013, will be the first 50th Class Reunion at CNU, which opened as CNC on September 18, 1961 on 32nd St. in downtown Newport News. This article is the first of four in a series that will celebrate the Class of 1963. Each week we will feature photos (some old, some recent) of the students, faculty and staff who were in the old Daniel School building between 1961 and 1963; photos of the earliest CNC memorabilia, and interesting facts about and personal memories of those who were part of the history of the College in those beginning years.
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| H. Westcott (Scotty) Cunningham, describing his feelings the day CNC initially opened. Quoted from Rita C. Hubbard’s essay, “The Beginning: A Moment in Time,” in MEMORIES OF CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT COLLEGE : THE FIRST DECADE (Chambers, Hubbard, Wood), p. 10. |
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| H. Westcott (Scotty) Cunningham. 1964 TRIDENT, Dedication page. |
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How many students enrolled in September of 1961? There is no definitive answer, but the number was probably not close to 200. An undated, typed Directory that surfaced a few years after the publication of our Memories book (located by Class of 1963 member Lorena Elder Smith) lists names and addresses of 159 students, 10 faculty, and 6 staff. It apparently was written sometime in the opening semester of the first year, based on analysis of the people listed in it. For example, Lois Wright is listed, and we know she attended only the 1961-62 year, entering as one of only a dozen sophomores and graduating in June, 1962 as the first (and ONLY) student to earn the AA degree that year. Further, additional faculty who joined the second year (1962-63)—such as Jim Windsor and Graham Pillow—are not in this Directory.
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| Georgia Hunter is shown lecturing on biology in the old Daniel Building in CNC’s 1961-62 year. Photo by Lt. C.L.Tench, printed in CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY , by Sean M. Heuvel, p. 18. |
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| Scotty Cunningham brought Nancy A. Ramseur with him from William and Mary to run CNC’s admissions and registrations. Photo from the 1970 TRIDENT, p. 15. |
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| In addition to Director Cunningham and Registrar Ramseur, the other staff that opening year at CNC were (seated) Business Manager Tom Dunaway and (standing, L-R) Librarian Arnette Stinson, President’s Secretary Edna Carney, and Bookkeeper Edna Appleton. Photo from CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY, by Sean M. Heuvel, p. 17. |
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Close to one-third of these 159 students never made it to the second semester. Consider the following “NEWS NOTE” in Chris’s Crier (Vol. 1, No. 2, p. 2): We welcomed thirty-one new students to Christopher Newport for the second semester. Our total enrollment at the close of registration was 147. 100 men and 47 women. Of the 159 listed in the Fall semester, 43 had left, leaving 116. The 31 new students brought the Spring semester total to 147. No doubt most of the 43 left for academic reasons. Young CNC was Christopher Newport College of the College of William and Mary, therefore charged with upholding the same academic standards for its students that were enforced at W&M. Few students made outstanding grades. According to the February 23, 1962 edition of Chris’s Crier only 6 students made the Dean’s List in the second semester: Patrick Bowler Baldwin, Elsie Judene Branch, Hans Berthold Gimm, Charron Parkman, Ann Claiborne Thompson, and Lois Elmira Wright (Vol. I, No. 2, p. 2).
Here are a few recent photos of Class of 1963 alumni who attended the first reunion of the CNC First Decaders (September of 2011) and plan to attend their Class of 1963's 50th Reunion at CNU May 10 & 11, 2013. There will be more photos of alumni and faculty in following weeks.
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| Patty Lottinville Kipps and husband, John Greenman, in Canada. |
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| Claude Stanley and wife Karen Graeb Stanley (64 FD) in 2006. |
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| Doris McCauley Smith and husband Mike Smith (62 FD) in 2010. |
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The 50TH Reunion collage photo at the top of this article is courtesy of CNU.
This Class of 1963 series will continue on April 26.
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Center Stage: The Class of 1963
Part 2: First Year Achievements
by A. Jane Chambers
A spirit of adventure infused that year at CNC [1961-62].
We students knew we were part of a “first,” something new and unfolding.
-- Lois Wright, “The Graduating Class of One,” in
Memories of Christopher Newport College : The First Decade, 1961-1971, p. 182.
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The first students enrolled at CNC wanted not simply to be in a college, but to be actively involved in the making of it. One of their first achievements was a mimeographed student newspaper—with ????? the eye-catching “title” of the first issue (Nov. 16, 1961) and an article (“Name Needed for Paper”) asking students to “think seriously” about “a title worthy of this newspaper and the institution which it will represent” (Vol. I, No. I, p. 1). From half a dozen suggestions, they picked the name Chris’s Crier, stenciled across the top of the next four issues that opening year. Editor Lorena Elder’s first-year staff included Ernie Bretana, Raymond Bunn, Jerry Colonna, Jim Eyre, Ella Kyle, Lawrence Morgan, Jr., Bill Reed, Claude Stanley, David Wells, and Dwight Wright. Could any of them imagine then that, half a century later, Chris’s Crier would become a crucial source of information for people researching CNC’s early history?
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| Masthead on front page of the first issue (11/16/61) of CNC’s first student newspaper, with a request for students to help name it. |
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| Stenciled masthead on front page of the second issue of CHRIS’S CRIER (2/23/62). |
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| Biology instructor Georgia Hunter, in the 1965 TRIDENT, p. 16. |
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The Crier tells us much about what CNC’s first students did that first year in addition to their academic work. Their accomplishments both great and small are summarized below.
1. They made the “permanent choice” of CNC’s school colors. With at least 2/3rds of the students voting, in the first semester they picked 6 color combinations (Vol. I, No. 2, p. 1). In spring semester they narrowed these to 3 combinations in a February secret ballot. In a second secret ballot in March, with 104 students voting, there were 25 votes for blue and white, 32 for green and white, and 47 for blue and gray (Vol. I, No. 3, p. 1).
2. With faculty help, they organized dances that led to creation of the first social club. Biology instructor Georgia Hunter headed a dance committee for their first informal dance (Nov. 4, 1961), held at the Naval Reserve Center on Warwick Blvd. and (of course) chaperoned by faculty (Vol. I, No. 1, p. 1). Other dances followed, with one held in the second floor hall of Daniel, the “Peppermint Twist Dance (2/2/62), so highly successful—70 couples dancing to a live band, “The Bonnevilles”— that plans were soon made for forming a men’s social club, The German Club, whose primary purpose would be sponsoring dances ranging from “Sock Hops” to band dances. (Vol. I, No. 2, pp. 1-2). Sponsored by history teacher “Pat” Usry, its officers were Tom Sellers (Pres), Alan Custer (VP), Bert Gimm (Sec), Herb Stanley (Treas) and Wayne Evans (Sergeant-at-Arms) (Vol. I, No. 3, p. 1).
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| History instructor Robert M. (Pat) Usry, in the 1965 TRIDENT, p.18. |
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3. They formed CNC’s first Student Government Association, which elected its first officers on May 7. As shown in two Spring issues of Chris’s Crier (Vol. I, No. 4 & No. 5), freshman class president Jim Cornette ran unopposed for SGA President, but there was vigorous campaigning for the other offices. Howard Clark was elected VP; Charlotte J. Anderson, Secretary, and Patrick Baldwin, Treasurer. Working with other colleges, CNC administrators, and the student body, in Fall of 1962 this SGA formed a constitution and played a very vital role in student life, as shown in various issues of the Crier during their sophomore year (1962-63).
4. They initiated other activities in 1961-62, including
- Forming a chapter of The Wesley Foundation, the student organization of the Methodist Church on state-related college and university campuses (Vol. I, No. 2 & 3);
- Holding Bridge Tournaments in the Student Lounge, with both faculty and student players (Vol. 1, No. 2 & 3);
- Looking for an appropriate CNC symbol and coat-of-arms (Vol. I, No. 4), which led ultimately to language professor (and Swiss native) Augustine Maissen’s creating the first CNC seal.
More detailed information on Chris’s Crier, The German Club, and the first SGA can be found in Memories of Christopher Newport College: The First Decade and in articles in the Website Archives, under First Decade History.
Below are recent photos of more Class of 1963 alumni who plan to attend their 50th Reunion at CNU (May 10 & 11, 2013). Some also attended the first reunion of the CNC First Decaders (September of 2011).
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| Typical hand-drawn SGA campaign "poster" for student Charron Parkman (Vol. I, No. 5, p. 3), shown planning to dissect a frog. |
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| This photo of CNC's first SGA officers appeared in the May 16, 1962 issue of the Newport News, VA, TIMES-HERALD. Copy courtesy of 63 First Decader Andrew Veryzer. |
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| Pat Baldwin and his wife, Theresa. |
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| Ellen Rankin Powell-Lasher and her husband, Lee Lasher. |
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| Fred Hardy and his wife, Maureen. |
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| Joyce Gold Conner and her husband, Ed. |
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| Ernie Bretana |
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| Lorena Elder Smith in 2009 with great grandson Daniel Smith-Yeager |
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Center Stage: The Class of 1963
Part 3: Second Year Highlights
by A. Jane Chambers
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CNC’s Fall enrollment its second year almost doubled, from perhaps 178 students in 1961 to 329 students in 1962: 195 men and 134 women. Freshmen came primarily from Hampton HS (53), Warwick (51), and Newport News (21), but also from St. Vincent (12), York (5), Walsingham (2), and other Tidewater area schools. Thirty-three student nurses from Riverside added to the enrollment, and an additional 190 students enrolled in the newly-established Evening College, directed by James C. Windsor (“Enrollment Exceeds ’61 by 151,” by freshman Karen Graeb. Chris’s Crier, Vol. 2, No. 1, Oct. 23, 1962, p. 1).
The faculty also nearly doubled, with nine new members joining the original ten: Charles F. Brewer (biology), Mrs. Jane N. Byrn (chemistry), Mrs. Elizabeth B. Scott (English), Colonel Richard H. Lawson (math), Hannah C. Neugaard (language?), E. Graham Pillow (physics), James C. Windsor (psychology & administration), Betty M. Kantor (English) and Richard L. Covey (sociology) (Crier, Vol. 2, No. 1, p. 4). Period photos of most of these professors (taken from the 1965 TRIDENT) will be shown next Friday (May 10), in Part 4 of this series.
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| Lorena Elder continued in 1962-63 as Editor-in-Chief of Chris’s Crier, our primary source of information about CNC in 1961-63. Her staff was now significantly larger. |
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| CNC’s first instructor of chemistry, Jane Byrn, teaching in the Daniel building. 1964 TRIDENT, p. 11 |
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| CNC's First Faculty - courtesy of the authors of the book "Memories of Christopher Newport College: The First Decade, 1961-1971". |
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| C. F. (Fred) Brewer with some of the members of CNC’S first Glee Club. Photo courtesy of Jo Berry Sinclair. |
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| 1962-63 Freshman class officers being sworn into office: L-R are Jim Cornette (SGA Pres.), Bill Wingo (pres), Jay Dunn (vp), Lana Lautenschlager (sec.) and Kay Cannon (treas.) From Sean Heuvel’s CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY, p. 19. |
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| League Bowling was a major sport in CNC’s second year. Clipping courtesy of Mike Smith. |
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The newly-elected leaders of the first Student Government Association (SGA), who had been elected in May of 1962, launched enthusiastically into their work in September. A "Calendar of Events" published May 1, 1963, in Chris's Crier (Vol. 2, No. 5, pp. 4 & 5) summarizes the SGA’s achievements in its first year. The organization initiated virtually every campus activity--from athletics (organizing and sponsoring bowling and basketball leagues and a men's softball team) to socials (a Christmas Party, a Spring Fashion Show called "Date Bait-63," and a Museum Picnic).
The SGA created an annual Miss CNC contest (won by SGA Secretary Charlotte Anderson) and started the Circle K Club, which would remain the major service club at CNC for years. Its first officers, elected in November of 1962, were Tom Hughes (pres.), Bill Wingo (VP), Rudy Turner (sec.), and Carl Thomas (Treas.) and its first board members were Guy Futrell, Jay Dunn, Freddy Smallwood, and Duncan Garnett. The SGA also visited area high schools to talk about CNC, and even painted and redecorated the Student Lounge in the basement of Daniel.
Freshman class officers in 1962-63 were elected on November 5, 1962: Bill Wingo (pres), Jay Dunn (vp), Lana Lautenschlager (sec.) and Kay Cannon (treas.). Sophomore class officers had been elected May 24, 1962: Ed Knight (pres), Ernie Bretana (vp), Ellen Rankin (sec.) and Judene Branch (treas.).
Major governing achievements of the SGA included drafting a Constitution, which was approved by Director Cunningham and Student Personnel Officer Windsor, then ratified in a student referendum in April, and forming an Election Committee that conducted the elections for the next year's SGA. On April 22, Circle K officers for the 1963-64 year were elected: Paul Hogge (pres.), Guy Futrell (vp), Carlyle Brown (sec.) and Bob Pierce (treas.) and on April 24, SGA Officers for the 1963-64 year were elected: Jay Dunn (pres.), Guy Futrell (vp), Michele Miller (sec.), and Janie McHugh (treas.) (Crier, Vol. 2, No. 5, May 1, 1963, pp. 1&2).
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| The first Miss CNC finalists: Winner, Charlotte Anderson (center), 2nd place, Patricia Perkinson (left), & 3rd place, Lorena Elder (right). Photo courtesy of Patricia Perkinson. |
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| Dr. Jane Chambers |
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| Mrs. Georgia Hunter and her husband, Bob |
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| Dr. James C. Windsor |
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| Dr. Barry Wood |
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| Mr. Graham Pillow and his wife, Betty |
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| First Decader Pat Garrow and his wife, Barbara. |
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Center Stage: The Class of 1963
Part 4: Remembering Professors
by A. Jane Chambers
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This final essay in this series consists of students’ memories of some of their professors at CNC in the first two years (1961- 63), along with period photos of those teachers, and concludes with a few more photos of memorabilia of that time.
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FAYE GREEN (English) — Mr. Green taught me that the inclusion of rich and accurate detail could add depth and meaning to an otherwise pedestrian piece of writing. “The cat purred” is bland. But “The plush calico Persian squeezed her eyes, shifted her bulk, and settled into a velvety purr” provides visual and emotive impact. Green also taught public speaking. His humor and accepting attitude enabled me to grow from a shy gal who wouldn’t give book reports in high school to a fearless speaker.
— Lois Wright (Class of 1962). This quote and the next two are from Lois’s essay “Then, Now, and Sometime,” printed in 2012 on this website. The complete essay is in the Website Archives, under subtab Your Memories.
DR. AUGUSTINE MAISSEN (French)—“Miss Wright, you translate French beautifully, but you can’t speak a word of it!” So said Dr. Maissen to me one afternoon after class. He was not reprimanding but more puzzled and perhaps exasperated. My feelings weren’t hurt; I knew he was right. Most weekends, Maissen traveled to Williamsburg to spend the day in the College of William and Mary library. I drove him there once. I think he was awfully scared, and justifiably so, as I had just received my license, and my driving hadn’t progressed beyond that jerky beginner’s stage. I never knew what he did at the library, but I hoped it was more intellectually rewarding than trying to teach me to speak French. — Lois Wright (Source above)
ALLEN TANNER (Economics) — I signed up for Tanner’s class before I knew that economics was the “dismal science.” Though the way we use the term today is not as it was used by Carlyle, many students experience economics as dismal indeed. However, Tanner brought an interesting twist to the subject. He was a business man, a banker, and approached the topic more from a practical than a theoretical perspective—though he didn’t stint on the theory. Also, he came with a point of view. All instructors bring a point of view. But it was refreshing for the instructor’s perspective to be obvious rather than covert. — Lois Wright (Source above)
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| Instructor of English Col. Faye K. Green ( US Army, ret.) taught English and speech at CNC 1961-63. This photo and the next 2 are excerpts from the photo of the original CNC faculty (in the L.B. Wood collection) printed in Memories of Christopher Newport College: The First Decade, p. 14. |
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| Assistant Professor of Languages Dr. Augustin Maissen, who designed CNC’s first seal, returned to his native Switzerland after his two years (1961-63) at CNC. |
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| Adjunct Instructor of Business and Economics Allen Tanner, an associate in the accounting firm of Tanner, Eggleston, and Smith, taught part-time at CNC 1961-63. |
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| Instructor of Biology Georgia Hunter taught at Chowan College before joining CNC, where she taught from 1961-1968. 1966 TRIDENT photo, p. 23. |
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GEORGIA HUNTER (Biology) — I remember Hunter more for her soft southern accent than for what she taught me. To be fair to Hunter, I offer this disclaimer: “Any similarity between what Hunter taught and what I learned was purely coincidental and any failure entirely my own.” In the textbook, botany made perfect sense, was even sometimes elegant. But for me, it was divorced from reality. Like James Thurber, when I looked through a microscope, all I saw was the reflection of my own eye. And field work was hopeless. I spent afternoons traipsing around my back yard in unsuccessful attempts to identify various plants. To this day, I can’t tell an Oak from an Elm. Are the leaves broad or narrow? Simple or compound? Alternate or opposite? I don’t know. — Lois Wright (Source above)
JAMES WINDSOR (Psychology) — Once I was enrolled in Mr. James Windsor's psychology class, I knew here was a man who could do no wrong. He had a calm voice and a soothing demeanor. His knowledge and understanding were deep. Mysteries of the mind and its universe were just within our reach. We knew he could calm the angry seas around us. We were emotionally safe in his classroom but never complacent or lazy as we listened, thought, and dreamed of a future society and better understanding of it.
— Patricia Perkinson (Class of 1963), in her essay in “Seven Vignettes” in Memories of Christopher Newport College : The First Decade, pp. 226-227.
BARRY WOOD (English) — A ruggedly handsome young English professor—part thespian, part professor. His brilliant mind and madcap delivery were unforgettable. That thunderous voice and expressive face, those theatrical antics, made the literary work jump off the page. He startled us, challenged us, and dared us to enter his literary world. For an hour, there were just the students, the words, and Mr. Wood. — Patricia Perkinson (Page 226, Source above)
Wood was always the entertainer. Though he may be best remembered for his Chaucerian characterizations and antics (including jumping out the window), he brought dramatic flair and humor to all his teaching. Class was fun and full of surprises. Of all my professors at all the colleges and universities I have attended, he best demonstrated a teaching style that I describe as “playful mood, serious intent.” The playfulness wasn’t just so we could have fun. He understood it as a means to an end. The playful mood—the drama, even the silliness—captured our attention and our imaginations. And that is when learning occurs. — Lois Wright (Source above)
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| Instructor of Psychology James C. Windsor joined CNC in 1962, served also in administrative positions, and followed H. Westcott Cunningham as the College’s second president, 1970-1979. 1966 TRIDENT photo, p. 26. |
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| Instructor of English L. B. (Barry) Wood, Jr., taught at CNC from 1961-2004 while also serving in various administrative positions and retired as Professor Emeritus with a honorary doctorate from CNU. 1969 TRIDENT photo, p. 22. |
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ROBERT M. USRY (History) —I thought of Mr. Usry, my history professor, as "wisdom in tweeds," with history as his middle name. We could count on his love of truth and his opinions, for they seemed to come from somewhere deep within this gentleman. — Patricia Perkinson (Page 227, Source above)
He was the first professor to ever get my attention and get me excited about learning. I will always be indebted to that fine gentleman. I had other excellent professors at William & Mary and George Washington, but he was the first.
— Fred Hardy (Class of 1963)
Mr. Usry was a wonderful mentor to students in the early days at the Daniel building. We were invited to his house many times to socialize and play pool. — Judene Branch Hartless (Class of 1963)
Mr. Usry helped get me my job as a library aide at W & M during 1963-64. —Patty Lottinville Kipps (Class of 1963)
I remember the discussion some of us students had in 1962 regarding the school colors. I think the majority of us who voted for the blue and gray were greatly influenced by Mr. Usry and his riveting lectures on the Civil War. I recall in a conversation with him that the Blue and Gray would be fitting colors because of the importance that Newport News played during the Civil War, particularly the Peninsula Campaign.
—Mike Smith (Class of 1962)
Mr. Usry’s last days:
A man of unostentatious faith, he faced the prospect of his death with calm and equanimity. His health had not been good for years. Forced to give up playing tennis, his strength was not robust. Returning from a medical exam, he told me, “Well, the doctor told me, ‘Don’t go takin’ out no long magazine subscriptions.’” He said it as a joke, without a trace of self-pity. Perhaps feeling that he might not survive to the end of the spring 1971 semester, he prepared his exams in advance so they could be administered to his classes. It was unhappily provident; he died a short while before the semester ended.
—Mario D. Mazzarella, “Remembering Robert Madison “Pat” Usry: Professor Extraordinaire,” in Memories of Christopher Newport College: The First Decade, pp. 216-217.
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| This color photo of Robert M. Usry was glued inside each copy of the 1965 TRIDENT, on the Dedication page (p. 10), and is reproduced (in B&W) on p. 215 of Memories of Christopher Newport College: The First Decade, in Dr. Mario D. Mazzarella’s essay. Mr. Usry served CNC until his death, in 1971. |
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| Class of 1963 members and a few from the classes of 1962 & 1964 posed on the grand staircase in David Student Union, CNU, at the 2011 First Decaders Reunion. Photo by T.T. Penrose III. Copy courtesy of Jane Chambers. |
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| First jewelry included this ladies’ pin owned by Karen Graeb Stanley (Class of 1964). |
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| CNC’s first sweatshirt, in William & Mary colors. Director Scotty Cunningham gave student Claude Stanley (Class of 1963) permission to order and sell several CNC garments and articles of jewelry. This sweatshirt belongs to Claude. |
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| This article is from either the Newport News Daily Press (morning newspaper) or The Times Herald (evening paper). Courtesy of Judene Branch Hartless (Class of 1963). |
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| The word “cartoon” on this program means a drawing made in preparing for a painting. Allan D. Jones was the artist who painted the Jamestown Landing Mural in the West Ave. Library in Newport News . The black and white ink drawing of Captain Newport was displayed at CNC for over 3 decades but then disappeared. Program courtesy of Karen Graeb (64) and Claude (63) Stanley. |
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