Hurdles and Help on the Road to Tenure

Having just read my quoted remarks in an article on tenure in your most recent publication (ICQ, 2000/no. 2), I fear that I may have sounded a bit ungrateful, and I would like to clarify my thinking on this matter.

The process of obtaining tenure is grueling indeed and no doubt imperfect, and it seems crucial to continue to reexamine that process to ensure that it is effective, fair, and humane. At the same time, as regards my own case, I never felt that I was treated unfairly in any way. On the contrary, my colleagues were consistently supportive and encouraging to me. Moreover, while some of what I experienced was surely arduous (as tenure processes are inevitably stressful), it seems worth noting that the reward at the other end is a great one: that is, a job that one loves — for life. To obtain such an honor, it seems appropriate that one should face a few tough hurdles.

Claire Gleitman
Associate Professor of English
Ithaca College

The First Radio Marathons

I read with interest an article in the most recent ICQ (2000/no. 2, page 8) about the great job done by communications students during the radio station’s 50-hour marathon. During my four years at IC I was one of the most involved students on campus — track team captain, two-time class president, dean’s list, President’s Host Committee member, intramural baseball and basketball player, dining room manager, dorm adviser, summer orientation chairman, etc. But the most rewarding activities involved my WICB-AM air shift every Sunday for four years. I became known as "TC ’til Three" because of my noon-to-3:00 p.m. time slot. In addition, I was the sports director for the radio and television operations for two years.

This leads me to radio marathons. In the spring of 1967 I was responsible for the very first radio marathon (52 hours at that time) to raise money for the Perkinsville Migrant Labor Camp. We raised an unbelievable amount of money — over $2,000 — way back then. We received incredible support from campus groups and individuals, as well as the Ithaca community at large.

Each year after that until my graduation in 1971, we raised more and more money as the effort was expanded to include more organizations. It’s great to see such efforts continued even today, but I wanted to set the record straight as to the genesis of radio marathons at Ithaca College!

Buried somewhere in my "archives" are articles from the Ithacan that more completely describe the efforts of many committed students, faculty, and staff members to make my marathons among the most rewarding experiences of the best four years of my life — my undergraduate life at Ithaca College. Even today, it’s impossible not to get emotional when remembering the years from 1967 to 1971 at Ithaca.

Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to reminisce.

Tom Capraro ’71
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

A Cyclist-Classmate Cheers for Deirdre

I enjoyed the article on Olympic cyclist Deirdre Murphy (ICQ, 2000/no. 2). It was well written and quite inspirational! As a randonneuring cyclist and finisher of the 1998 Boston-Montreal-Boston race and 1999 Paris-Brest-Paris race, I salute the valedictorian cyclist of the class of ’80!

Carl A. McElroy ’80
Camp Springs, Maryland

Alumnus Marvels at South Hill Progress

Having been a student at Ithaca College during the humble years of its downtown facilities, I am very proud of my alma mater when I read the Quarterly and learn about the exciting things our alumni, faculty, and today’s students are doing.

Every year when my wife and I return for Reunion and turn into the campus from Danby Road, it’s a thrill to see all the wonderful buildings. We can almost feel the throbbing of progress.

We have a great school up there on South Hill!

Wayne W. Retzlaff ’44
Santa Rosa, California