Superficial
From your March
05 Editor’s Voice, it appears that you believe that a significant
part of the glue of our society is our interest in pop culture trivia,
and our conversations revolving around the latest “event du
jour” are worthy efforts at communicating with co-workers and
family members.
I, possibly naively, would expect a university publication to deplore
this type of superficial communication rather than endorse or excuse
the dumbing down of our topics of conversation.
It is a sad comment on our consumer-driven society that entertainment
world gossip is all we have on our minds while the institutions of
globalization (IMF, World Bank, various think tanks) and our politicians
and business leaders are deciding, mostly behind closed doors, our
economic and social futures.
Robert DesLauriers, S BA 65
Montreal
Guadagni thoughts
I was delighted to read the letter of Michael Cooper (March
05) about the late professor Frank Guadagni. All who attended
Loyola and Marianopolis in the ’40s and ’50s remember
him as a great teacher and a warm person.
Gerry (Sam) McGee, L BSc 51
Ottawa
In 1941, I was a freshman student at Loyola and was
fortunate enough to be taught by Frank Guadagni in a first-year course
in organic chemistry. I remember him writing formulae on the board,
where more chalk could be seen than board. He also had trouble saying
the words “canary yellow” — he emphasized the word
“canary.” Sometimes he arrived to class wearing sneakers
and different types of socks, and his black gown askew.
All this doesn’t take from accomplishments in the engineering
department in its infant stage. He was an excellent teacher and everyone
respected and loved him. May I offer best wishes to Michael Cooper,
BA 01.
Fred Bedford, L BA 57, S BSc 57
Concordia Professor Emeritus
Avonmore, Ont.
Wrongful blame
In the March 05 End Piece, alumnus Ben Archibald has done all readers
a great service by reminding us of the role of higher education in
encouraging exposure to diverse points of view, among other things.
Quoting the university administration’s response to the various
end results of the disgusting, puerile behaviour of certain students
and the damage to Concordia’s reputation and global image after
the so-called Netanyahu riot, Mr. Archibald writes, “. . . the
real failure lies with the university faculty and its inability to
cultivate an atmosphere of tolerance and respect among students.”
Without knowing what courses he specialized in and wondering what
planet he inhabited during his Concordia days, Mr. Archibald should
be aware that by the time a student enters university, civil, lawful
behaviour and tolerance and respect for opposing points of view should
have already been fostered.
Genetically inherited habits and attitudes as well as so-called environmental
factors are known to help in teaching us right from wrong years ahead
of university. The university’s role, via courses offered by
professors, is not merely to enable graduates to obtain a job or select
a career but to teach us how to think for ourselves; to guide and
train us to analyze, synthesize; and to reach essential conclusions
based on what we learn and discover.
Mr. Archibald, please don’t blame your professors in general
for not teaching you and your fellow students to act maturely and
wisely, civilly and intelligently. As the proud member of a noble
profession you ought to know that respect for the law, basic rules
and regulations must be inculcated and nurtured years before entering
university. Thought-provoking, stimulating courses taught by inspiring
professors sharpen one’s critical faculties.
The despicable behaviour of a group of agents provocateurs
and their mindless henchmen was largely responsible for the needless
destruction of Concordia property, assault on innocent bystanders
and disruption of the university’s daily operations. Freedom
is not a licence for violent behaviour and demands accountability
and responsibility, as well as respect for diversity and dissent.
On another note, many thanks to a former student of the late professor
Neil Compton for reminding us (Letters,
March 05) of an inspiring teacher, especially in his courses on
Shakespeare and English satire.
Don Albin, S BA 56
Montreal
Clarification
In Letters, March 2005, Claude Levy was referred to as a Concordia
emeritus professor. He is a Concordia retired professor.
