Relevant, thoughtful

You achieved a new pinnacle with the August edition of "Cincinnati Horizons." You couldn't have picked a more relevant topic -- ethics and morals -- for a theme issue or one that a university is as well positioned to have broad societal influence. I hope you're thinking of getting this issue into the hands of the editors of Time, Newsweek, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.

Steve Marine Director
Outreach Academic Information
Technology and Libraries,
University of Cincinnati Medical Center

We couldn't be more pleased with such wonderful coverage and with the important, substantive issues that were explored in this latest "Cincinnati Horizons" issue. Thank you for the excellent coverage and for the topics selected. And kudos to our faculty for their thoughtful and articulate commentary.

I can imagine that the subject was tricky, indeed, but you pulled it off beautifully. Thanks again for doing such a conscientious and creative job and for giving voice to some of our very thoughtful faculty.

Karen Gould
Dean, McMicken College of Arts and Sciences

I was surprised to see my quotes in the most recent issue of "Cincinnati Horizons," and I am very pleased with the outcome. This is an excellent issue, and I hope it will be well received by its constituents.

You ought to be congratulated for putting together an edition dealing with such a timely and difficult subject. It also mirrors UC's agenda of becoming a serious academic environment. Again, a job well done.

Manfred Wolfram
Professor, head, College-Conservatory of Music Electronic Media Division

I am the parent of a UC student and recently received the August edition of "Cincinnati Horizons" magazine. I was very impressed with the quality of this publication, particularly the extended discussion of morals and values.

All of the articles were very well written and presented various points of view. Well done. Keep up the good work.

Tom Anthony
Springfield, Ill.

Flawed theory

I found George Bishop's theory on the polarization of America's views on moral values to be flawed. He said we are polarized because we don't communicate and listen to each other enough. Actually, the main reason we are polarized is that we have listened to one another -- and we don't agree.

After extensive dialogue in the form of elections and PAC ads, one becomes very tired of listening. At this point, I've heard everything that liberals have to say, and most of it is just not true.

Sorry, guys, but all the wishful thinking, sociological experimentation and historical revision in the world can't make you right. Today's fads will turn out to be as toxic as the "free love" and drug abuse of the 1960s. I guess some people just have to learn the hard way.

Carolyn Gerwin
Pontiac, Illinois

More rankings

Thanks for the quality product you are sharing with us. Two more points regarding UC accomplishments, continued from the news section of the August edition: The UC master's program for nursing-anesthesia was ranked 10th nationwide, a great accomplishment. And we took great pride last year in our ROTC Bearcat Battalion being ranked 14th in the nation out of 272 Senior Army ROTC programs. We have not yet seen this year's ROTC ratings.

The ranking for the ROTC battalion was made by Cadet Command, which oversees all university and college programs nationwide. The ranking is based on overall performances by the cadets, GPAs, performance at various Army training schools, extracurricular activities, performance on our physical fitness test and how well our organization is retaining students and growing our program.

For what it's worth, UC provides us some of the very best support that any ROTC organization could hope for compared to my counterparts across the nation. What a tremendous place to learn!

Phil Tilly
U.S. Army lieutenant colonel UC professor/military science

C-paw disappointment

The new C-paw is a terrible adaptation of a well-designed mark that did not need to be changed. You say, "The more claw-like italicized version of the familiar symbol, adopted in 1990, was designed to be 'more aggressive.'" In fact this is a perfect example of just making a mark more literal while losing the aesthetic beauty of the original.

If you want to change something, you should look at that poorly drawn, maniacal bearcat illustration. It strikes fear in the hearts of your opponents for all the wrong reasons. This rabid feline and erosion of the C-paw symbol reflect badly on UC as a leading national design school.

Gary Dangel, DAAP '77
Cincinnati

Campus confusion

Recently I visited the campus for the first time since I received my chemical engineering degree in 1955. Thanks to articles and pictures in "Cincinnati Horizons," I could identify some of the new buildings.

I have two questions: Why is my "Chemistry Building" now called "Old Chem"? (I didn't see a "New Chem.") And what happened to the Quadrangle?

It appears that a structure was built between Old Chem and Swift Hall and then torn down. Is what I saw there the base of some removed structure?

It was very enjoyable touring the campus and seeing so many changes.

Rodney J. McGarry
Eng '55 Via e-mail

Editor's note: The chemistry building's name was changed to "Old Chem" when the university stopped teaching chemistry there. That building now houses studies such as German and math, and chemistry has largely moved into various buildings of the Brodie Science Complex. In the Quadrangle, you saw the foundation of a temporary "sprung-structure" erected during the Tangeman University Center renovation. Several such structures were used during MainStreet construction, and that one became UC's temporary food court until TUC reopened last year.

Because MainStreet has now mostly opened, all the bubble-like pavilions have been removed. The one from the Quad traveled to UC Clermont College to serve as a gymnasium. Its former Quad location is slated to become a park-like green space with water features and trees.

To see photos of recent campus construction, visit "Construction Photos."

Sickened to read

I was sickened to read in the latest "Cincinnati Horizons Online" that there was an active group at UC called "Students For Troops Out Now" and, worse, that "Cincinnati Horizons" seemed to speak of it and its participants favorably.

I would have expected such at Berkeley or Antioch, but it is disheartening to know that a school that once taught current events from a factual and historical perspective is not now countering and debating these groups. It is disgusting. It truly shows how pathetic our high-school and college educational systems have become when students graduate with no understanding of what is required to keep a republic safe in a world of tyranny and religious hatred.

If Noreen McNulty [the alumna featured in the story] tried to perform her prisoner release magic in a country like Iraq under the former dictator, she would have been imprisoned herself if she had survived after enduring unspeakable torture. Give me a break!

John Church, Eng '57
Aiken, S.C.

Editor's note: There is no active student group on campus called "Students For Troops Out Now." That organization is long gone, and the alumna you refer to graduated in 1994, as the story pointed out. McNulty's prior membership in the group, however, is not surprising for someone who has dedicated her life to ending the death penalty. Furthermore, her work since graduation has certainly been a reflection on her values, which was the point of the story. We featured alumni with a variety of different values, knowing that personal values are so …well, personal that readers would relate to some and not others.

One grad's impact

This is not your typical letter to the editor. I just wanted to share a life-changing event story: I had double knee replacement surgery in 2002, the result of a bad accident in the '60s.

I went on with life and married a fabulous guy who graduated from UC on a football scholarship in 1970. We have children and a wonderful life.

By my late 40s, I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis and endured the pain for seven years. When I could barely walk, I had surgery and went through a year of rehab. For seven years, I have lived at the gym, doing whatever a handicap person can do to stay in shape. It was not easy.

A year after the surgery, when I felt really down about my progress, who walked into my life but Allen Harvin, a personal trainer at my aquatics center. I was so impressed with his enthusiasm, then checked his bio. Sure enough … a graduate of UC about a decade after my husband. I could not go wrong with this guy.

Allen also went to UC on a football scholarship, but blew his knee out his first year. After several surgeries and a year of rehab, he knew my pain. Still, he went on to play UC football, broke several UC records and was named All Metro Conference. He also played professional football for the Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars and the Washington Redskins when they won the Super Bowl. He had such drive and determination.

Today, he has taken me from hardly being able to walk to running on a trampoline and weightlifting. He has transformed my life -- or, I should say, given back my life. I enjoy life to the fullest because of this man.

It just goes to show you what wonderful people come out of the University of Cincinnati and what an impact they can have on our lives.

Rebecca Cygan
Via e-mail

Sperti search still on

Many thanks for the online information about Sperti ointment.
I wondered what happened to it. I have looked for it about every time that I go to the pharmacy.

I had a bad burn at one time. I applied Sperti. The next morning when I got up, I looked for the burn and it was practically gone. I guess that now I will have to use preparation "H".

Richard Fitzpatrick
Baton Rouge, La.

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Letters to the editor must relate to the university, be signed and include addresses, colleges and years of graduation, when applicable. The editor reserves the right to edit letters for length, clarity or factual accuracy and to reject letters of unsuitable content. Letters may not criticize other letter writers. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Cincinnati.

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