Dedication to history, teaching, and service
Letters: From Our Readers
A labor of love
I am not sure that my father used that particular tool tender, but he would have used one like it. Those tool tenders represent the essence of what those men did there to keep the generators humming. My father, George Borley, started work there in 1946, shortly after World War II, and retired in 1970.
My deepest appreciation to Mr. Wedel for the work he did on this restoration. Thank you also to Dan Schooff and the college for supporting such an effort. I know my father would have been thrilled and impressed with this labor of love.
John Borley
Beloit, Wisconsin
Remembering Professor Richard Newsome
Remember when Beloit’s dorm rooms and apartments were decorated with spider plants and philodendrons? Every semester, Dr. Newsome’s botany classes would spend a few days in the greenhouse, learning about vegetative reproduction — taking and rooting cuttings, and potting young starts. Once established, we would take them home, knowing that they would add oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from the air. And the plants were pretty, and added a feeling of home. We watered and spritzed our green roommates using leftover sore throat medicine spray bottles from the campus health center. It was a tradition.
Last summer, while presenting a talk on native plants to a local gardening group, I was asked, “How do you know all this stuff?” I said that I learned it from Dr. Newsome. He was the one who showed me the difference between a bur oak and a white oak. He showed me my first prairie smoke and rattlesnake master plants — and they have been favorites ever since. I remember his excitement upon discovering a shooting star plant blooming in the prairie. Those memories have stayed with me for 50 years and help me appreciate that feeling of joy one finds in the natural world.
Credit: Dennis Moore
Dr. Newsome gave many of us our first taste of research, taking us to the local prairie to find answers to questions that some of us hadn’t even thought of yet. One of us chose to explore the territorial behavior of red-winged blackbirds, and another explored the tiny organisms living in the prairie’s pond.
Richard loved the grasses and sedges of the prairie, and he worked hard to build and keep the Newark Road Prairie growing and thriving. He invited many students, friends, and staff to join the team when he led a managed burn at the prairie, an essential part of prairie management.
Dr. Newsome, above all, was a teacher. He led us, encouraged us, commiserated with us when things went awry, and shared in our joy when we found success. We became who we are, in part because of his guidance and gentle encouragement. One of us went on to become a fiction author, another a writer and researcher that published some fascinating National Geographic articles and a number of books. Many of us pursued paths that didn’t involve botany at all, but we became teachers, whether formally or just by casually passing on the knowledge and wisdom that Dr. Newsome shared.
I treasure the memories of joy in his eyes when I told him of new paths in life. He brought his family to my wedding, welcomed our children as they were born, and though he had already retired, he was thrilled when our eldest chose Beloit. He was always curious to hear about the prairie that I was building, asking what plants that I was starting from seed, and was thrilled to learn that we had added some bur oak saplings. He was a treasure, for our college, and our world.
Ann Savagian’78
Bryant, Wisconsin
More public service
I graduated in 1971, and the Beloit Plan had a large impact on my career path. I worked for eight months in Washington, D.C., with a Hispanic/Latino advocacy unit in the U.S. Office of Education. While I was an international relations major (with a focus on Latin America), the job in D.C. really turned my attention to domestic issues and public policy.
Recently, I was appointed by Governor Evers to the Wisconsin Judicial Commission, which investigates and prosecutes judicial misconduct.
Barbara Notestein’71
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Remember This?
I am on the top right of the pile. The shot was probably spontaneous, and we may have been first-year students. The faces are familiar, yet names escape me. I hope someone else writes in to revive my memory!
Wendy Anderson’78
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Thank you, alums, for being “All In”
As we celebrate the conclusion of Be All In: The Campaign for Beloit College, I find myself reflecting on the remarkable generosity of our community. Over the past five years, we’ve raised an incredible $75.6 million, thanks to alumni, parents, and friends who are all in for Beloit, even in the face of unforeseen challenges.
President Scott Bierman launched this campaign with a deep understanding of the headwinds facing small colleges. What none of us could have predicted was that the COVID-19 pandemic would strike in its first year, increasing the obstacles we’d face. But, in true Beloit fashion, our community didn’t just persevere; you went “all in.”
From $5 recurring gifts to a transformative $9 million grant, every contribution has made a difference. These gifts, large and small, are now the wind in our sails as we move forward, ensuring that Beloit continues to thrive for generations to come.
This campaign wasn’t just about raising funds; it was about making a tangible difference in the lives of our students. With your support, Beloit has been able to expand student mentoring, strengthen our career connections program, and offer more substantial financial aid packages to help families meet the rising costs of higher education. These are investments that will pay dividends for years to come, positioning Beloit to provide a richer, more connected experience for students.
The impact of your generosity will be felt long after today. As we move into the future, these gifts will serve as a reminder of the strength, loyalty, and dedication of Beloiters who were all in when it mattered most.
On behalf of everyone at Beloit College, thank you. Thank you for your trust, your belief in this institution, and for ensuring that the next chapter of Beloit’s story is one of continued success.
Dan Schooff
Vice President of Advancement and Facilities
Beloit College
Talk to us
Tell us what you think about this issue, or anything Beloit College related, by contacting belmag@joyerianicaragua.com. (We reserve the right to edit letters for length and clarity.)
