Letters to the Editor: Summer 2024
Let there be Lit
Lovely article, great pics. I can hardly wait to see the newly renovated Shannon Library!
Please tell us about the worker bees. Where do employees and administrators fit into the new plan? I was employed there for several years and went from the cataloging space down to the basement to retrieve the Latin American collection that was in storage. It was close to the loading dock and quite the experience!
Marleen Berry Hansen (Grad class of ’71)
Charlotte, North Carolina
My memory of the library during my years from 1963 to 1968 is that it was a quiet place to study. There were no lounges.
Richard Carle (Col class of ’67, Grad class of ’68)
Medford, Massachusetts
Renovating the name, too
Thank you for this excellent explanation of the research and logic that went into renaming the library. I appreciate the description of President Alderman’s many accomplishments along with the explanation of his views on eugenics based on his own words. Both presidents were visionaries, and it’s now time to honor the University president who moved us forward to this century. I plan to share this article with fellow alumni who may have missed it. Thank you, Professor Suarez and committee members, for this outstanding work.
Pamela F. Sprouse (Col class of ’78)
Charlottesville
Thanks for the fine article on the remodeled library and the stimulating renaming discussion.
I worked in Alderman and spent a lot of time there—fantastical days that certainly feel like half a century ago. I still support what those days on the Grounds were about for so much of the community, and I am also happy to see the building renamed for Mr. Shannon.
Chris Klein (Col class of ’72)
Eldorado Springs, Colorado
I have the fondest memories of Alderman Library and welcome its renaming to honor President Shannon. To my good fortune, I had the opportunity to frequent the library seemingly seven days a week during my three years as a graduate student in American history. I had my favorite spaces depending upon my intended task given a particular day. When I last visited Charlottesville two years ago, I was awed by the massive reconstruction work underway.
Libraries require renewal as the years go by, and I am most appreciative that the University pursued this elemental project for the benefit of students and faculty as well as visiting scholars as we approach the second quarter of the
21st century.
Michael H. Ebner (Grad class of ’66, class of ’74)
James D. Vail III Professor Emeritus of American history, Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, Illinois
The University was shut down. It was shortly after Kent State in early May 1970, and I was completing my first year of law school. I was asked to be a legal marshal, given an armband and asked to help keep order on the Grounds. I was standing on the steps of the Rotunda when President Shannon approached the top of the stairs and the crowd quieted down. He began to speak, eloquently and sincerely. He denounced the war in Vietnam. He showed courage and character. President Shannon stood with the students during this highly charged and historic moment. The response from those on the steps was surprised and respectful. As he finished his remarks and headed back down the stairs, I had a chance to shake his hand and thank him. I said to him that so much of this could have been avoided if other university presidents showed the same vision and understanding he showed that evening. I so clearly remember that moment and the pride I felt as a member of UVA.
Barry Bryer (Law class of ’72)
New York, New York
Thanks so much for your article. Edgar Shannon was the University president during my eight years in Charlottesville, during what were certainly tumultuous times. I was one of the possibly 4,000 people sitting on the Lawn on that very warm May afternoon when Shannon gave the speech that has come to define his tenure.
My recollection is that he did much more than just denounce the Vietnam War. He also encouraged all of us in attendance, as well as the entire University community, to continue our academic pursuits and invited us to see the larger picture of an academic community that valued truth above other considerations. His statements about the war seemed to me to acknowledge the validity of the war protests and the unspeakable violence at Kent State, indicating that the protests had been heard. But the bigger message was that once he agreed that those were indeed terrible times, it was best for us all to get back to the work that had brought us to the University. That seemed like a valuable lesson as we all departed—mostly peacefully—the Lawn that day. And most people did get back to work.
My memory of the speech is that it was masterful, and not confined to the passions of the day.
George Garmany (Col class of ’69, Med class of ’73)
Berthoud, Colorado
Thank you for the thorough, thoughtful and elegant piece explaining how the University came to the decision to remove Edwin Alderman’s name from the school’s flagship library and to rename it for Edgar Shannon. I began reading the article skeptical, but concluded convinced the University had made the right decision.
Tearing down monuments—both the cast bronze ones and the honorific ones—is a delicate (damning?) enterprise in Charlottesville, perhaps more than anywhere else in America. And that’s probably as it should be, given that maybe no American more than the University’s founder, Mr. Jefferson, personifies the intellectual and moral tension between the people we are versus the people we aspire to be—and therefore the leaders one generation honors versus subsequent leaders whose work exceeds the aspirations (or doubts) of their predecessors.
In the pursuit of a “more perfect University,” Mr. Jefferson might well support the notion that truths deemed self-evident by one era could evolve and that a subsequent generation’s more expansive truths are equally self-evident and worthy of monumental recognition.
As (white, male) Virginians understood the University’s mission during Edwin Alderman’s time, he merited the recognition the library afforded him. As Richard Gard explained, though, Virginians today—of diverse backgrounds and perspectives—would see in Edgar Shannon’s character and accomplishments a refreshed set of self-evident truths that Virginians, indeed Americans, can embrace for decades to come.
Mike Moriarty (Grad class of ’91)
Charlottesville
Thank you for this article. As a UVA alumnus and a local Charlottesville resident who happens to live on Alderman Road, the context that the story provides to the history of the University and the legacies of Edwin Alderman and Edgar Shannon was illuminating and insightful.
I occasionally give tours of Grounds to family and friends who are visiting, and this deeper understanding of the history of the University is something that I value greatly.
Chris Whiffen (Col class of ’96)
Charlottesville
When do you erase Woodrow Wilson for his progressive Democrat racist views? Or Colgate Darden Jr., who was a Byrd Organization Democrat and a witness against school desegregation in the Prince Edward County case that was consolidated under Brown v. Board of Education? Or the entire founding generation of the University? What were Shannon’s views on gay marriage? Fossil fuels? Black people remained well underrepresented during his presidency relative to the Virginia population breakdown. Why does he get judged by the standards of the day instead of denounced for not being more enlightened?
Glen M. Robertson (Col class of ’86, Law class of ’89)
Virginia Beach, Virginia
As an NROTC student during the trying times of May 1970, I have considered President Edgar F. Shannon Jr. a role model embodying the Navy core values of honor, courage and commitment. His steady leadership brought peace to a chaotic situation. His enlightened leadership touched on many areas, allowing the University to be something I am proud of. I thank the Board of Visitors for voting to change the name of the Alderman Library to honor President Shannon.
Capt. Robert W. Jackson (Col class of ’70)
Cohasset, Massachusetts
Thank you for your article. Dr. Shannon was president during my uninspired student life at UVA, where I struggled with the low Black student population and what I considered to be the very exclusionary South. I grew up in a suburb in Philadelphia that couldn’t have been more of a polar opposite.
Bottom line: For the past 25 years or so my wife and I have sponsored 49 Florida Prepaid College Scholarships for minorities. I like to see the positive in everything, so I believe I had to go to UVA to determine one of my life goals and then see it become a reality. While at UVA I was honored to be able to help coach George King on the first-year wrestling team, and he was awarded the very first athletic letter for a person of color. So Edgar Shannon deserves every accolade he can receive. He inspired me, and some good has come as a result.
Bruce Woodruff (Col class of ’64)
Orlando, Florida
As a historian, I want to say that your piece was well-balanced and insightful, revealing both an appreciation for the troubled times in which Alderman lived and the need for a fresh and more complete perspective on Edgar Shannon’s tenure as president of the University. These days I find such sensitivity and thoughtfulness in treating difficult or contentious points in our nation’s past, as that of Alderman’s place in the University’s history, all too infrequent. That it also sought to bring a greater understanding of President Shannon’s accomplishments is also noteworthy. Your articles were quite engaging. Many thanks for your efforts on behalf of the University.
Dennis Shannon (Grad class of ’82)
Charlottesville
Having spent almost a year, 60 years ago, thumbing through old Virginia newspaper editorials as part of my M.A. thesis research, I became well-acquainted with Alderman Library as another home. Despite the dry, dusty and hot environment down on the first floor, it was a welcoming place. For me, it has always been Alderman Library, as it has for many generations of UVA students, faculty and staff. That name will always be part of our memories.
However, I understand the reasons for changing the name now that the library has been brilliantly expanded, refurbished and renovated in keeping with its original architecture. Replacing the Alderman name with that of the distinguished former president Edgar F. Shannon Jr. is a perfect fit. He faithfully guided the University through the turbulent 1960s with a steady and sensitive hand. I had the highest respect for him and his wife then, always gracious in welcoming and supporting students. I have always been proud of his signature as president on my master’s degree!
It is a new day with a glorious, renovated library, of which President Shannon would be humbled by having his name now attached.
Robert Louis Semes (Grad class of ’68)
Palm Springs, California
Thank you for the in-depth article concerning the renaming of Alderman Library. President Shannon, with his signature on my diplomas, is the appropriate person for whom the library should be renamed.
Bruce Broulik (Col class of ’71, Grad class of ’74)
Winter Springs, Florida
I wanted to let you know how much I appreciated your article in the most recent Virginia Magazine about the library and presidents Shannon and Alderman. It was balanced and informative and brought me to a place where I’m comfortable with the naming decision. Of course, I’ve always been a big fan of President Shannon.
Randell Hunt Norton (Col class of ’70, Law class of ’73)
Washington, D.C.
What a wonderful recognition for an inspirational president. Alderman, now Shannon, Library was a second home during my years at the University, and I have made use of its resources since graduating. I have vivid memories of President Shannon working in Alderman. His presence on the Grounds inspired me and many others. A university president who taught and remained an active scholar was indeed unique.
While teaching at Ohio State, I received the news of his speech from the steps of the Rotunda about the Vietnam War and remember writing to thank him for his courage and leadership. I am delighted to learn the library will soon bear his name. The naming committee, the University librarian and all involved in the honor merit our appreciation.
Michael James Galgano (Col class of ’64, Grad class of ’66)
Harrisonburg, Virginia
Yesterday in UVA Today, one of the feature articles was about a couple who bought the former home of Dean Runk and are restoring it to pristine condition to open it to the public as a bed-and-breakfast. Today I see this article about renaming the newly remodeled and expanded main library after Edgar Shannon. Apparently, several of the administration “stars” from our undergraduate years are being recognized once again.
Jeff Alan Andrews (Engr class of ’72, Law class of ’76)
Burlington, North Carolina
Virginia is for lovers: An ode to Cavalier couples [uvamagazine.org]
I thoroughly enjoyed the article on couples who met at UVA. I found the stories funny and heartwarming and completely engaging. Unfortunately, there were no women at UVA during my four years. Other than a tiny group of nursing students, our dates were at places like Sweet Briar, Hollins, Mary Baldwin and Mary Washington, which at the time was officially the University of Virginia at Mary Washington College. It was a trick. They were 65-plus miles away, and we weren’t allowed to have cars ’til our fourth year.
I live in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and am a contributing editor at Harvard Magazine. I’m thinking of seeing if one of my fellow editors has the energy to copy this idea for a feature in our magazine.
Jim Harrison (Col class of ’65)
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Major Shifts
The decline in history majors is sad to see, especially in these times of deep political and social division. We need more students with a strong grounding in the complexity and depth of our past. Whatever their further studies or work, understanding the long shadows of history will be invaluable.
History teaches that choices are complex, decisions have unintended consequences, and “the worst of times” go in cycles with “the best of times.” And the best and worst are rarely what they seem.
The article “Renovating the name, too,” raises exactly the kind of issues that generations must grapple with. How do we determine whom to honor? Is it enough to say of leaders with mixed records, “They were just products of the time?” How do we weigh the public good versus the public bad? Must we remain committed to past honorees, even if they reflect poorly on current choices and values?
Most importantly, how do we honor those who fought against “the times”? Those who said eugenics is wrong, that people are equal and education must be also, that racism and sexism and other wrongs have no place in a just society? For every evil concept, we find good people opposing it.
Shirley M. Marshall (Col class of ’86, Law class of ’94)
Alexandria, Virginia
Letters to the Editor
A letter writer does not think our school should be paying men’s basketball coach Tony Bennett “millions of dollars a year.” I guess he also thinks that UVA should not try to compete at the highest levels of the various team sports whose coaches are paid what the market demands. According to what I can find online, Coach Bennett is the sixth-highest paid men’s basketball coach at the college level. There are 15 college basketball coaches who make [the same] or more, and there are something like 50 college football and basketball coaches who [come close]. The fact is that Bennett is a top-notch coach who would be hired away from UVA if our school did not pay him the market rate. If we want to keep Bennett—and I sincerely hope most alumni feel as I do, that keeping him is the right answer—then we must continue to pay what the market demands.
James Tyson Currie (Grad class of ’69, class of ’75)
Alexandria, Virginia
First Amendment center director to become new law dean [UDigest]
The announcement in February 2024 of the new dean for the law school mentioned the law school’s then No. 8 ranking (now, I understand, No. 4). Being a completely biased graduate, I consider a high ranking to be well deserved, and the law school has traditionally used its high ranking to market the school. However, the same email noted that the law school is “boycotting” the U.S. News & World Report ranking process, presumably because the administration finds it to be inadequate or inaccurate in some respect. If the law school believes it must boycott a ranking process it believes to be deeply flawed, shouldn’t it also refrain from marketing the positive result of such a flawed process?
Dustin Hecker (Col class of ’78, Law class of ’83)
Needham, Massachusetts
Class Notes [Winter 2023]
I want to thank you so much for putting my retirement note in the latest magazine. I realize I did not quite follow my original career path, but opportunity knocked soon after college, and I ended up having a great career in an industry that I never would’ve dreamed of. My years at UVA helped me tremendously, and I am always very honored to be able to say that UVA is my alma mater.
Alan Korman (Arch class of ’77)
Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey
