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The Albright Reporter
Albright College
13th & Bern Streets
Reading, PA 19612-5234
Fax: 610-921-7295
E-mail: jstoudt@alb.edu
A Fondness for Fashion
As an out-of-state Albright graduate, my interest in Albright topics has waned over the years, having returned to campus only once for a class reunion. Usually when The Albright Reporter arrives, I scan for the highlights, rarely read a full article, note the talented new hires, and check the classnotes for a name that may be attached to a memory.
The fall 2004 (vol. 24, no. 4) issue demanded more time to read and provoked more thought. Jennifer Post Stoudt’s “Fashion Forward” article is excellent. The photos, sketches and text create a thorough portrait of the success and symmetry of the Fashion, Merchandising, Textile and Design Department. I had no idea that the Albright program had expanded into such notable terrain.
This is an article to be shared with high school home economics teachers, CAD instructors and guidance counselors. Copies of Stoudt’s article would present an accurate, in-depth look at the career and could be the inspiration for prospective Albright students. I have given copies of the article to the guidance and home economics departments at the Illinois high school where I most recently taught and suggest that fellow educators do the same in their high schools.
Thank you for the valuable updates on Albright’s curriculum.
Now on to my closet of 1960s clothing to select donations for the Fashion Resource Library – Peter Max corduroy pants, wooden platform shoes worn to a Jimi Hendrix concert, and the wool mini-kilt with matching cable-stitched sweater!
Karen J. High ’70
Special Memories Shared
Every so often a magazine crosses my desk that contains an article that touches my heart. It was with tear-filled eyes and a lump in my throat that I read “The Wooden Box” (winter 2005, vol. 25, no. 1). What wonderful memories Linda has of her father to cherish.
Linda - hold those memories close to your heart. You are truly blessed.
Kathy A. Kovacs
“The Wooden Box” is writing to be proud of! From the captivating opening sentence to the dramatic ending that reveals the fateful day to be the anniversary of Linda Mecca’s father’s 58th birthday, the essay is splendid. Thanks for sharing the memory with all of us who read The Albright Reporter.
I taught at Albright for 51 years. Writing courses were a big part of my teaching schedule, and I was rumored to be a tough judge of student output. Linda’s article would have been an A+ paper.
Congratulations and best wishes for continued success.
Annadora Shirk
Professor Emerita of English
Religion and Spirituality
As a member of the group that re-founded the organization known as Hillel, I would just like to express my joy that the group is still in existence almost five years after the last of my group graduated. I just wanted to say thank you to the current group of students for your hard work and dedication.
Harriet Shapiro ’98
Reading The Albright Reporter always renews my connection with Albright and my college days, particularly appreciated as I have been away from Reading for so long. Bob Shade’s article “A Higher Calling” (vol. 25, no. 1) rekindled the important impact Albright’s religious environment had on me as a non-Christian pre-med student.
In the mid-1960s every student was required to complete a semester course in Old Testament and one in New Testament. My ongoing discussions with Dr. Gingrich on the contrast of the Christian interpretation of the Five Books of Moses with my Jewish background were mind-expanding, while the New Testament class was my first (and because of Albright’s requirement, only) opportunity to study this important arena.
Another valuable and complementary program was the annual Religion in Life Week, when the campus programming almost completely shut down, except for the daily lectures, panels, seminars and workshops presented by a broad range of religious leaders and thinkers.
The openness and diverse religious exposure at Albright provided an educational foundation that has served me well throughout life and in my career. I trust the evolution of spirituality on campus will continue to offer students these opportunities.
Ron Blum, M.D. ’66
I graduated from Albright in 1973. By that time attendance at religious services was not required. However, a class in religious studies was still a requirement. I have to admit that I was not looking forward to taking this class since I do not consider myself a very “religious” person. To my surprise, the course I took, “The History of Religion” taught by The Rev. Bill Marlow, turned out to be one of my favorite college classes.
Reverend Marlow was an excellent professor and truly inspired me to learn about a topic I thought would bore me to tears. In fact, I admired Rev. Marlow so much that I asked him to officiate at my wedding, which he did! I have not seen him since then, so imagine my delight to see his photo and to read his words of wisdom in The Albright Reporter!
Thanks Rev. Marlow for inspiring me to learn!Jill (Aserinsky) Buckley, Esq. ’73
Remembering Professor
Paul Applegate
I wish to record my appreciation for Professor Applegate’s teaching of literature during the time I attended Albright College.
I believe Professor Applegate, despite his dour demeanor, was a very kind man with lots of love for his students. I also believe that he is one of those Albright professors who has been marginalized in any remembrance of past professors. Please note that most Albright alumni remember the high-flying professors with brand names, unlike Professor Applegate whose services have been ignored by the College because he was a self-effacing personality on campus.
Kamal T. Wadhwa ’70
