Letters from our readers

Congratulations to Carrie Holmes

As the proud Dad of Carrie Holmes '02 I want you to know that she has been honored by the U.S. Department of Education as a 2007 American Star of Teaching. She is currently teaching in a Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) school, Ujima Village Academy, in Baltimore, Maryland. The award honors outstanding classroom teachers across all grade levels and disciplines. One teacher was recognized from each state, as well as four private school teachers. Yay, Keene State!

– Tony Holmes

Corrections, Complaints, and Kudos

Correction
I am sorry to say there is an error in the fall 2007 edition of Keene State Today, in the article " Time and Again." My father, Sheldon L. Barker, and Albert Brooks did not enter Keene Normal School in 1921. They graduated in 1921, so it can be assumed they entered in 1919. The formation of Kappa Delta Phi was to give the vast minority a haven from the [female] majority. Despite the error, I enjoyed the article.

– Sheldon L. Barker Jr. '66

Kudos
I am enjoying " Time and Again." The photographs and stories of these pioneers give life to those whose names we only see on the side of buildings, not realizing that these folks set the direction, tone, and history of what is Keene State College today. Keep the articles rolling!

– Jane Stark '87

Complaint
As a historic preservationist and museum curator, I was mortified by what I read in KST (fall 2007). Fiske Hall was not restored; it was gutted and trashed. I was proud to have lived in Fiske Hall, the oldest dorm on campus, when I attended KSC (1985-89). Perhaps the most important element of the lobby (we didn't call it a " great hall" then) was the dividing screen in the classical style with urn finials and beautiful double doors. I'm assuming the screen was dumped in a landfill somewhere.

One of my pet peeves is the lame excuse for window replacement in the name of energy efficiency. In fact, historic windows, when properly restored, are more efficient than the cheap replacements that were installed in Fiske Hall. And please, don't quote cost ratios relating to replacement windows to me. In my 20-plus years' experience of historic preservation projects, I've heard it all and none of it is true.

Finally, that new entrance is awful. The porch looks like the entrance to a gas station drive-through. The renovation of Fiske Hall is nothing more than a nod to the " cult of newness." Shame.

– Patrick Sheary '89
Curator of Furnishings at the DAR Museum in Washington, D.C.

Editor's note: Salvageable portions of the original wooden screen were restored and installed on the third floor of Fiske Hall. Many other original materials were either reused or recycled, whenever possible, and some are still in storage.

A Letter to Film Studies Professor Peter Condon

Hello, Professor Condon: I have gotten an internship at The Criterion Collection in New York City. It is great because we are always restoring these brilliant classic films. Recently, I was asked to sit down and work on a film. A few frames into it, I realized it was Louis Malle's The Lovers. No one else in my department had seen the film all the way through, and I felt privileged to be able to hold my own in conversation in a room full of " film people." Without your class and your teaching, I never would have seen this film. I want to thank you for how great that class was and how inspiring your conversations about Louis Malle's films were. You allowed me to open up my views of foreign and older classic films. I also want to say thank you for all of the advice on my classes and the job at the Putnam Arts Lecture Hall.

– Taylor Antisdel

Fan Mail to the Grounds Crew

Dear Mr. Winsor: I want you to know how beautiful the grounds are at Keene State. My husband and I are thrilled that our son transferred to KSC this year from the University of Southern Maine. Of all the colleges we looked at, Keene State by far has the most beautiful campus. Thank you so much for all the effort!

– Lin Van Allen '75

We'd Like To Hear From You

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  Keene State Today
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  Keene State College
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