Gerald J. Grady, '43

For nearly all of my adult life I have been involved in higher education, and among the best years were those at Lawrence. There were great teachers, great students (thinkers and doers, we were), great teams (any better than the '42 football team?) and coaches (Bernie Heselton), a meaningful Greek system, valuable convocations, great plays (John Disher, '43, in Our Town) and concerts (Marian Anderson), negotiated changes (new drinking rules and a student judiciary)-all that and more. And throughout it all there were constant thoughts of war: of loved ones killed, of battles won and lost, and about when it would be our turn to serve our country.

Two memories:

* The 1943 Interfraternity Sing, Lawrence's first, and before a packed Chapel. All fraternities and sororities participated. They practiced so much that practice hours had to be restricted. The Milwaukee Journal covered it (thanks to "Jenks"). Yes, the Betas, that "singing fraternity," were a winner. And in the glow that followed the concert, Dean Tom Hamilton said to me, "Thanks, Gerry, this meant a lot for Lawrence."

* Our student government was successful in getting the administration's approval to hold a referendum among the women to obtain more liberal "hours." The proposal was defeated! I asked my girl friend, "How could this happen?" Her answer: "Gerry, sometimes we want the evening with you men to end sooner." We agreed that sometime we men felt the same!

The 1940s and 1950s were great years in our country, and those who graduated then should be proud for being part of it. There have been some difficult times since then, but‹as we learned at Lawrence-reason and commitment, truth and love will prevail.

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