The letters we publish here are edited for space and are representative of those we receive. We print only those letters referring to an article in the most recent edition of the magazine, not those responding to letters or commenting on issues not addressed in the recent edition.
Marking an American milestone
Thank you for your recent issue on America at 250. As the one leading the charge at the university where I teach early American history, I am grateful to see Notre Dame Magazine (and, I hope, the campus, too) take note of this important milestone.
I was most impressed with the volume of short articles on myriad topics from a wide variety of authors with diverse positions and astute insights to share. They all provided thought-provoking points about their subject, and each made me stop and reflect on what I had just read and learned. As a historian, I naturally gravitated towards Katlyn Carter’s “The Revolution in Question,” about the scope and meaning of the Revolution (or was it just a “war for independence”?), an issue that I push my own students to grapple with in my American Revolution & Constitution class. I also appreciated Robert Schmuhl’s “The Mischiefs of Faction,” and the way he placed it in historical context without getting stuck in the political polarity we currently live with.
As director of the military studies program, I was thankful for the brief notes (“Notre Dame’s Service to the Nation”) about the University’s connections to the alumni veterans who prompt us all to remember the human sacrifice that armed conflict requires.
Living in central Texas, I see the stereotype of the West (“The Western Canon”) and the culture of football (“The Only Thing”) alongside the challenges of immigration (“Carrying a Torch”) everywhere I look. And I am grateful as a lifelong Catholic that I have the freedom to practice my faith all day and every day (“Church and State”), and I embrace my thankfully infrequent encounters with anti-Catholic prejudices as moments that remind me just how important that faith is to me.
You covered every topic clearly, succinctly and thoughtfully — well-done and thank you.
Julie Ann Sweet’92
Waco, Texas
Performative or perceptive?
Anthony Walton’s article (“Our Fraying Social Fabric”) was a little confusing. He says he carries a passport to “show his papers.” What he doesn’t explain is why he, presumably an American citizen, would need that. Even if a law enforcement officer were to make a legitimate stop, a license or state identification would suffice. This seems performative.
Then he mentioned the 3/5ths compromise. He failed to mention that it was put in to keep the southern states from getting an unstoppable majority in Congress. I’m surprised this passed muster in this magazine.
Ed Schell
Wheaton, Illinois
While some may view Anthony Walton’s statements as overreaction, I believe his alarm is well justified. Whitewashing history, denying climate change and failing to recognize the importance of continued progress in dealing with racial conflict do indeed put us at a crossroads.
We are a nation born in conflict and spirited debate. Both will continue, and the latter — provided it is based on facts — is healthy. Denying reality and allowing authoritarianism to triumph over American minds and the American built environment is not. If we understand our past, including the ugliest parts of it, we learn the most and do not need to repeat backward trends such as the end of Reconstruction in 1877.
Some will argue that concerns about losing our republic are “hyperbolic overstatement,” in Walton’s words, and that “the republic will survive.” But if we choose to do the work of learning and understanding our often-tumultuous past, we can make forward rather than circular progress.
Mike Tranel ’81
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Immigration’s costs
The most reasoned objection to today’s immigration (“Carrying a Torch”) is the taxpayer-funded largesse given them at the expense of working-class citizens who are also struggling to get ahead. Opening up immigration would be more broadly embraced if this were not the case. The immigrants you laud from previous generations are worthy of praise for the hardships they overcame not only to arrive here but also to make a go of it on their own and without government handouts.
Chris Kirschner ’91
Tampa, Florida
Football’s formative memories
Jason Kelly’s “The Only Thing” sparked a moment of recollection. My wife and I were spending time before the 1993 Florida State game in the upper ACC (largely because the ladies’ rooms never had lines). We were checking out the trophy cases when we came across the small stage for ESPN’s College Gameday. The area in front of the Monogram Room seemed to go from empty to jumping in the blink of an eye and, just as quickly, was vacated. Little did we know that history was in the making.
Speaking of history, our seats for the game were four rows off the turf; “field seats” in section FS21 as accessed from ramp 19. My wife cowered a bit as the Irish came charging out of the tunnel and ran the length of the field toward us in that southwest corner. An entire generation of students has come and gone since the demise of those up-close aluminum bleachers.
Tom Pavelka ’78
Westlake, Ohio
Memories of yesteryear
What a terrific collection of photos Paul Joyce ’77 produced as a student photographer (“The Way We Were”). They really bring back memories of yesteryear, when we came back to campus for varied occasions, many of which are depicted in the pages of the spring issue. Gracious thanks to Paul and the magazine staff.
Burke Cueny ’57
Rochester Hills, Michigan
Defying the gravity of the situation
The Susan Ostermann scandal (“Notebook”) was prominent in the national news cycle for nearly two months. The decision to promote Professor Ostermann to the directorship of the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies represented a grievous error in judgment by the University. Prior to Ostermann’s rescinding her acceptance of the position, the University’s official communications defending and supporting its decision were disgraceful and cowardly. This was a self-inflicted wound, made worse by the University’s unwillingness to admit error or hold anyone accountable.
The sterile language and brevity of the six-paragraph column on page 15 do not do justice to the importance of this scandal. I would have hoped for a much more detailed account of it.
William B. Cammarano ’84
Tacoma, Washington
Lou’s legacy
In September 1986, I was a homesick freshman who felt the 800-mile distance from my family very acutely. I often went to the Grotto to ask the Blessed Mother for strength.
One evening, as I finished praying and wiped a few tears away, I realized there was one other person at the Grotto. He saw my sadness and walked over to me, asking if I was a freshman. He told me that he was “new,” too, but that we were at a great place. He assured me that the “Lady on the Dome” would watch over us.
I was stunned that our new football coach took the time to encourage and comfort me. I called my father right away, and we both were impressed and amazed at Coach Holtz’s kindness.
As the tributes continue to pour in for him, I’m grateful for this compassionate and faithful interaction.
Thank you, Coach. Rest in peace.
Paula Gile Trybus ’90
New Albany, Ohio
I worked very hard to gain acceptance to Notre Dame. It became a passion — a desire to be part of something greater than myself. Much of that aspiration was inspired by Lou Holtz and his embodiment of what it meant to be a “Notre Dame Man.”
Receiving that acceptance was one of the proudest moments of my life. I was fortunate to meet Holtz several times, attend practices and hear him speak in my classes. I also met the man who would become my mentor, Father Jerry Wilson, CSC, ’32. I still have a framed letter in which Father Jerry wrote that I was “a true Notre Dame Man” upon my graduation.
I was taught to strive to be my best, to make the right decisions no matter how difficult, to work to improve my community, and to stand up for those who cannot stand for themselves. God, Country, Notre Dame. Every decision I’ve made has been guided by my responsibilities as a “Notre Dame Man.”
Holtz’s speeches, interviews and practices reinforced those ideals, and the standards were clear. However, we are all defined by the choices we make — and the Notre Dame community must make choices as well. In my view, one cannot embody the ideal of the “Notre Dame Man” and align with MAGA, and Lou Holtz made a direct choice in that regard.
In doing so, he contradicted many of the principles he once taught. He often emphasized accountability and growth: “Say you’re sorry, make amends, and move on.” Yet Donald Trump has refused to apologize for his wrongdoings and has stated that he never had to ask for God’s forgiveness. If we are all sinners, what does it mean to claim otherwise?
Holtz also taught us to “do what’s right” in every aspect of life. Yet he chose to support an individual whose conduct stands in stark contrast to every one of those teachings.
This is not an attempt to diminish the positive contributions Holtz made. However, those contributions cannot excuse or overshadow the significance of this choice.
James D. Lucot, Jr. ’94
Wexford, Pennsylvania
Fond memories of a good friend
Thank you for remembering my dear friend, Sister Judy Ward, RSM, ’71M.A., in the spring issue. Judy and I studied on the beautiful campus together. Both of us had great memories of those summers — fighting the sprinklers and enjoying fast food at The Huddle. We always enjoyed watching Notre Dame football games that revived our love for the campus and so many memories.
Sister Katherine Mroz, RSM, ’74M.A.
Watchung, New Jersey
A former athlete’s artistry
I very much enjoyed your article on the artistry and life of Romeo Okwara (“Holding It to the Light”). Please thank him for sharing his challenges and tenderness, which you have so eloquently presented.
Bill Shiel ’75
San Juan Capistrano, California
A lesson in irreverence
“Heaven shrugged” shows us how far our children and so many adults have strayed from their Catholic faith. The consecration of the host at Mass is the foundation of our faith, bringing Christ’s presence to the congregation. Yet it is clear that 12-year-old Henry’s Catholic education has failed him. He has not a clue that the consecrated host is the body and blood of Christ. The author, a teacher in a Catholic school, describes the consecration as a “seemingly ludicrous experience where a cardboard-looking wafer becomes God Almighty.” She is relieved that the boy’s sacrilege did not get him into trouble. Hooray for Henry. Sister Yolanda’s desecration was irreverence for young Henry to see. One has to ask: How many Catholics today, young and old, believe in the True Presence?
Dick Cimino ’69
Naples, Florida
Erin, go brag
Reading “A patient listener,” I said, as I always do when reading Erin Buckley’s essays, “Thanks, I needed that!” They always bring me a laugh or two.
Paul Coppola ’78
Washington, D.C.