by
Allen H. Jones
In reminiscing, one invariably mentions names, and if some are omitted below that should have been included, I apologize. No offense is intended. Please blame my present state of senility.
I came to Montgomery (Junior) College in 1947, one year after separation from the service following World War II. My earlier years at the College, it must be admitted, were the happier ones, probably because of the relationship which existed between the faculty and the students at the time. This faculty, whose names included Kloucek, Fox, Ripley, Pierson, Labouvie, Morrison, Malone, Pinney, Rubini, Henry, and Wright, were both capable and dedicated. Hugh G. Price, the first chief administrator of the College, should be commended for being perceptive in his recruitment of the faculty. The part-time faculty members were also exceptional. Some taught at neighboring universities, and others were in government work or in private enterprise. Ross MacCardle, for example, enjoyed a world-wide reputation in cancer research at the National Cancer Institute. It should be recalled that the College was accredited by the Middle States Association on its first application to that accrediting agency (1950), a noteworthy accomplishment. On granting accreditation to the College, the committee of the Middle States Association made special mention of the quality of the faculty.
But the students of those earlier years were also dedicated. Many veterans were among them and included some of the best students I ever had in a class. They were serious about their education. They were older and more mature than those coming straight from high school. They had seen life and sometimes death during their time in the service. They knew what they wanted, and they were convinced that a good college education was a prerequisite. Courses that might prove difficult for them were not evaded or dropped. The challenge was there and they faced it. The interaction of dedicated people, faculty and students, resulted, I like to believe, in a firm mutual respect which made teaching and learning a gratifying experience. This relationship was not limited to the classroom but to social occasions as well—picnics, dances, athletic games, and even perhaps a visit to the Raw Bar on Old Georgetown Road.
Some names have stuck with me and others have faded. Ted Jans, the McAuliffe brothers, Tom Burke, Tom and Mimi Hill, Bob Iffert, Milton Clogg, Gordon Campbell, and David Pittle are a few names I remember. One might observe that I remember only the good students. Perhaps so, but the overwhelming majority of the student body consisted of good students—regardless of grades. They measured up to their capacity, and by so doing, they in effect challenged the faculty members to extend themselves.
I followed the careers of many with a great deal of interest. There were those who attained high positions in government, lawyers, doctors, judges, business people, medical secretaries, nurses, etc., etc. I recall that just before I retired, I went to a physician’s office for a physical examination. I was surprised and somewhat embarrassed to find that the doctor’s assistant, a young lady, was a former student. But she was thoroughly professional, although I might have caught a slight twinkle in her eye at one stage. After all, such an opportunity rarely presents itself to a graduate.
If I have neglected the coeds somewhat in these reminiscences, let me correct that situation. The coeds were often attractive and at times were better students than the boys. I observed a number of romances that blossomed, some of which ended in marriage. (Marriage was still “in” at the time.) In one case the two students planned to marry, with the girl, a straight A student, dropping out to work in order that her husband, a straight C student, could stay and graduate. At a later time what would active feminists have to say about such a situation? At any rate the marriage seemed to be a happy one.
In summary, what I remember most vividly about the early years of the College is the mutual respect I perceived between highly competent faculty members and high motivated students. As I stated at the start, these early years at the College were my happiest ones.
* E. F. Ware, The Lightning Bug
Bethesda and Takoma Park Campuses: English Department, 1947–1973; chairman, 1949–1966; Rockville Campus: English Department, 1965–1967; Professor Emeritus.