Locked Up, Not Thrown Away

I am thoroughly enjoying the Spring 2018 issue of Terp. I was impressed with the article about Professor Peter Leone and his work with incarcerated youth; now that you have piqued my interest, I plan on purchasing one of his books. The article about the second chance organization should serve as an example of how to combat America’s obsession of purchasing brand new products.

And anyone would be thoroughly impressed with just some of the great acts that performed in Cole Field House. Kudos on your quality work, and now I’ll get back to my reading.

Frank Schapitl, Toms River, N.J. (parent of Ashley ’08 and Lexie ’17)

A YA Book of His Own

Although I enjoyed the Jason Reynolds profile, there was much left out for your readers to get to know this author who writes for all ages. In fact, Amazon rates his Newbery Award-winning book “Long Way Down” (age level: 12) a 99!

The fact that you only mentioned a few of his great works for middle grade and young adult readers is disappointing. I realize you had a word count to fill and a deadline. After this profile was completed, Jason Reynolds won another award for “Long Way Down,” the Edgar Award for best young adult mystery of 2017, from the Mystery Writers of America.

As a retired school librarian and a blogger of book reviews, I am familiar with Jason’s body of literature, but he deserves more recognition for his many accolades from peers and readers.

Beth Schmelzer M.L.S. ’92, Annapolis, Md.

The Big Question

First I must say that the new Terp magazine format is amazing.

The Big Question (“What is the most unifying force in American life?”) really got my attention. The answers were: pursuit of happiness, food, sports and diversity. All of these shocked me, particularly “diversity.” It makes me realize the enormous changes that have occurred in American culture since I was a student in the Glenn L. Martin School of Engineering.

Apparently everyone has forgotten about “assimilation” as the most unifying force in American culture. In my youthful days, we were English, French, German, Italian, Irish, Spanish, Swedish, and on and on. We frequently laughed at the ethnic jokes about our heritage. I am Irish and German and certainly was familiar with the Irish jokes. No one was offended, as it was just part of our “diversity” and we had fun with it. What brought us together was assimilation because we were all Americans at heart!

The focus on diversity these days is actually a dividing force because political correctness in campus life requires that we respect diversity rather than have fun with it. Far too much control over social behavior is damaging and dividing our youth. They are becoming fearful of just being themselves.

G. Thomas Behm ’57, La Mesa, Calif.

Spring 2018 Issue

I often read my husband’s Terp magazine, but I especially enjoyed the Spring 2018 articles about the 3D printing of parts of “The Triumph of Isabella,” “super” wood and alumni who are doing well and doing good in the world. “Locked Up, Not Thrown Away” opened my eyes about education in juvenile detention. Could you please write a longer article about Olympian Thomas Hong? There has to be more to that story! Thank you for your consideration and keep up the good work.

Rita Nolan, Alexandria, Va.

A-listers

We created an unofficial list of the 30 best campus concerts, and asked readers what we missed:

Steve Martin, 1978 at Cole Field House: Greatest opening applause and cheers for any artist I have ever seen. He was 45 minutes late opening the show. He must have apologized five times.

Stephen C. Malan ’74, M.S. ’78, Upperco, Md., via Terp online

Class Notes

Great mag. I appreciated getting an update on alum Frank Reich ’84 , in Class Notes (Spring 2018), but you didn’t include that, besides orchestrating the greatest NFL comeback, Frank also orchestrated the greatest NCAA comeback, the 1984 Terp 42–40 comeback against Miami.

Frank Cirillo ’66, Reston, Va.

Editor’s Note: You were right—Reich did hold that record, until the 41–38 victory by Michigan State over Northwestern in 2006.