Dear Bob,
It was very pleasant reading your thoughts and those of Vern Alden, Charlie Ping and Rod McDavis in the new Ohio Today.
Although we spoke several times over the years and e-mailed each other countless times, one memory of your tenure as president stands out as my favorite. It was the time you asked if I would serve as your proxy at the inauguration of Mt. Union College's new president, Jack Ewing. Your administrative assistant sent me a leather-bound certificate to present to Ewing and the appropriately colored cap and gown. The entire day was fun, but I felt a special measure of pride when the inauguration staff announced it was time to begin organizing university representatives for an academic procession. I was wondering how the staff would organize us -- alphabetically perhaps? Instead, we were lined up by the age of our respective universities. Out of 70 or so schools, Ohio was the sixth oldest. And, yes, Harvard, the nation's oldest, was represented.
In addition, I believe I speak for other alums when I say how grateful we are for all your work to strengthen our alma mater during your 10 years as president.
You have my continuing very best wishes.
Sincerely,
Mike Johnson
BSJ '67
Dear Mike:
How very pleasing it was to read your letter to me via Ohio Today. Indeed, I remember you ("Bleed Green" Johnson is correct!) well, and I remember the event about which you write. We occasionally invited distinguished alumni like you to represent us at ceremonial occasions such as presidential inaugurations, and I was pleased that you could represent us on that occasion. I understand and appreciate your sense of pride at Ohio's place in that procession because I've had that same experience. The standard procedure is to arrange academic processions in the order of the founding of the institutions represented. And of course Ohio is always near the front of the line. I took no small pleasure on such occasions in observing Miami just behind us and Ohio State far back.
Your comments are kind and much appreciated, Mike. In retrospect one always wishes he could have done more. With time to ponder now that I'm retired, I can think of many, many things I wish I had given higher priority so that we could have accomplished them during my time at the university. But I remain proud of Ohio University and my brief tenure in its 200+ year history.
Thanks for writing, Mike, and best wishes to you.
Sincerely,
Robert Glidden
