It was a shock to hear of the death of President James J. Whalen (Ithaca College Quarterly, 2001/4) in the midst of all the other tragedies that have occurred.

President Whalen used to pick me up hitching at the corner of Prospect Street. He was a good man who understood the struggles of "regular" students who held down one or two jobs and went to school full-time. He asked good questions and listened to our answers.

What I will remember most about President Whalen, however, is how he looked after Patricia Clark and her daughter, Melissa, following the tragic death of our theater department chair, Richard M. Clark, in a plane crash. He saw to it that Melissa was able to attend IC without tuition being charged and invited Pat to events, always making her feel a part of the College community through some very difficult times.

He may have been a great leader, a big supporter of athletics, and an amazing fund-raiser, but deep down, when it mattered, he was a decent human being.

Catherine Weidner ’85
Washington, D.C.