All-Male Schools – The Final Four

Once again, Wabash College basks in the national spotlight along with Morehouse College in Atlanta, Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, and Deep Springs College, a 27-man, intensive two-year college in California in a Sunday New York Times article (free registration required). An excerpt…

Still, while the nearly 60 all-women’s colleges that exist today are often seen as broadly relevant for women trying to find their way, men’s campuses can seem strange and slightly unnatural: anachronisms even for their own students. “I think it’s slightly nuts, when you think about it,” said Chris Ogden, a Wabash senior from Schererville, Ind. “The idea of going to school with just men? It does seem crazy, but then you come here, and you find out it works.”

If it works, advocates say, it’s because people are belatedly realizing that men’s colleges can play as positive and distinctive a role as women’s. And, they argue, at a time when men are lagging badly in higher education, they may be more relevant than ever.

 

Memory Jog #1: Tommies

As our Reunion approaches, I thought it might be fun to tax the class’ fuzzy memories. Our first topic encompasses the Mark Twain quote, “I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.” I speak, of course, about the local C’ville watering hole, Tommies (or is that Tommy’s?). Jog your memory to see how many of these questions you can answer. (Note: Just because I’m asking them, doesn’t mean that I know the answers!)

1. Name five 5 of the most popular songs played on the jukebox.

2. Which night was “pitcher night”? How much was a pitcher? What color were the tickets they gave out for each pitcher, and how many tickets would get you a free one? What were your choices for draft beer?

3. Wabash students have always called it “Tommies,” but name some other monikers for the place. (Bonus: name the guy who ran it the most during our years in school.)

4. When did Tommies expand into the space next door and add pool tables? How much was a game of pool?

5. How much was popcorn?

6. Did most guys enter from the front or the back (through the “kitchen”)?

7. Which of the following adorned the walls?
a) promotional mirrors for various beers
b) a Wabash flag
c) antique farm implements
d) all of the above

8. Can you recall any significant graffiti written on the men’s room walls?

9. Name some other local bars around C’ville. Which was the one bar you shouldn’t go into?

10. True or false: There’s a “W” on the floor right inside the front entrance.

Believe it or not: Tommies has a Web site. Check out the people tending bar! (Evidently Crawfordsville has just discovered punk rock.)

 

Luke Messer in the Private Sector

Mike Langford sent me word of his pledge brother, Luke Messer’s foray into the public sector following his stepping down from his Indiana State House of Representatives seat and his position as Executive Director of the Indiana GOP. Here’s the press release with the details:

State Representative Luke Messer Joins Ice Miller Law Firm
4/14/2006
Ice Miller LLP is pleased to announce that Luke Messer has joined the Firm as a partner in its Public Affairs Group. Messer will focus on state, local and federal government issues and public affairs management including legislative monitoring and representation, administrative law and government procurement, campaign finance and election law compliance, grassroots programming and political strategy.

“Luke has an impressive track record as a state legislator and a veteran of Indiana state government,” stated John Hammond, co-chair of Ice Miller’s Public Affairs Group. “We are impressed with his integrity and his commitment to his constituents. His experience and understanding of Indiana’s legislative system will serve our clients well,” concluded Hammond.

Messer, the former executive director of the Indiana Republican Party, is currently a State Representative for District 57, representing Shelby and Bartholomew counties. Messer recently announced he will not seek re-election but will fulfill his term and is committed to the work of his constituents through the November elections.

“My work at Ice Miller will combine my experience in public affairs and public policy with my background in economic development,” stated Messer. “I look forward to working with the Firm and its clients to help manage the complex legislative issues at the local, state and federal levels.”

During the last legislative session, Messer served on House Speaker Brian Bosma’s leadership team as Assistant House Majority Floor Leader. Messer’s policy experience includes work as Subcommittee Counsel for United States Congressmen Dan Burton and David McIntosh on the House Government Reform Committee on Energy Policy, Natural Resources, and Regulatory Affairs. His business experience includes work as an attorney with two Indianapolis-based law firms.

Messer will also work with the Firm’s Municipal and Government Services Practice Group. The Firm represents municipalities and governments regarding a wide variety of legal issues.

Luke writes, “If you are bored, check out the April 17th issue of Time magazine. The cover story is about the High School drop out issue, using Shelbyville as a model of a community trying to address the problem. The story covers a variety of topics, including legislation that we passed in the General Assembly this spring.”

Using Luke’s district of Shelbyville as a case study, the story was also featured on two days of Oprah last week.

Andy and the (Big) Apple

In yet another aspect of Wabash alumni life, the Class of ’91 makes a strong presence. I’m talking about our regional alumni associations which number about 40 in the United States and 2 internationally.

Classmates AJ Lindeman (pictured) and John Olivieri co-chair the The New York Association of Wabash Men, which held a reception and dinner at the Core Club for Anne and Andy Ford on Tuesday. They presented Wabash’s first couple with a crystal apple to honor them for their service to the college. Story.

Update: Brent Bolick

Brent Bolick writes, “My wife Amy and I celebrated the birth of our second daughter, Olivia Catherine, on January 9th.  Big Sister Sophia (nearly 6) is quite pleased. I’m still working as Public Affairs Director for Clear Channel Outdoor in Indianapolis where we are hoping to have another Wally intern join us for the summer after a successful experience in 2005 with Jake “JTI” Koenman ’06.”

Admissions Serendipity

I saw his profile in the zoned section of the Indianapolis Star almost exactly one year ago now. Brent Kent was class president at Martinsville High School. He maintained good grades. He went to Hoosier Boys State. He ran track. He headed swimming programs at the local YMCA and youth programs for the county republican party. He moved out of his parents house the summer before his senior year and was living in an apartment by himself. He was holding down two jobs outside of school.

Most of all, he wanted to go to college.

He should go to Wabash, I thought.

To find out more about this kid, I contacted Matt Hanson, who is a classmate and judge for the Morgan County Circuit Court. To facilitate a last-minute application, I contacted Wabash Admissions.

Long story short, Brent Kent is a freshman at Wabash College this year. He competed in cross country. He went down to Mississippi over Fall Break with other Wabash students to help out after Hurricane Katrina. He works for Admissions telling the story of how he came to Wabash.

One year after seeing the story about him, I met Brent in person last week. He’s a great kid.

Yes, I do a lot for my alma mater. But referring this kid to Wabash was the easiest thing I did for my college last year. And it just may turn out to be one of the most significant.

Sign Up for the Big Bash

Our Big Bash 15th Year Reunion weekend approaches on June 2-4, 2006. Your living unit reunion reps should have contacted you about attending.

Checking the Web site, Brent Bolick and Jeff Grabill are the first two to sign up and 11 more of us our planning on attending. To answer a question posed by Mark Koshior, yes, your wives (and children) are certainly invited. The College is doing a great job planning the big event, so I hope you all can make it.