Father Brennan replies to John, providing details about the impact of the war on Marquette University. (Alumni Papers, John L. Holloway Papers, 1922-1946).

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August 17, 1942

Dear John,

Your fine letter is old.  You will pardon my not answering sooner.  Of course, summer school is over now; in the 2 sessions there were about 1875 students, a larger number than we ever had before.  Pre-registration figures for the Fall term look promising.  Business ad is down; Journalism is lower by one than at this time last year; Law is a minus quantity.  What will the Fall term look like in numbers?  It is hard to say; if we do have good numbers, I believe it will be the last year of a high school population for the duration.

Last night there was a big rally at the gymnasium.  Fr. Keegan presented Fr. McCarthy, representatives of the Navy and Marines to an audience of about 800, mostly prospective students and their parents.  The idea was to inform these latter of the possible reserve corps their sons might get into, not as a refuge to escape the draft, but as a means of providing officer-material for the military.

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2.

Dean O'Sullivan is away these days, taking a Hay-fever cure up North with Quentin who is about to deliver himself up to Uncle Sam.  Mark Grisbach [?] seems to be having a little trouble securing a deferment in order to get his degree.  He would welcome your prayers to that end.  Beck is getting ready for the Army Air and Thislka [?] is packing for [illegible].  Bob Rasmussen is in the service of Uncle Sam and is studying as a radio-technician in Chicago.

We had a little mourning here at M.U. over the death of 2 former students:   the one was Pres. of the Alumni, Mr. Wm. Kinsella, treasurer of Ward Allen and Pres. of M. Athletic Club who, at 59, is being buried from the Gesu tomorrow; the other, a lad of 24, John E. Keller, a graduate of B.A. in 1940, a reject from the Draft was found dead in bed two days ago--heart murmur.  We have of course many joys too, not least of which are the good living of so many of our fine boys in camp and military life where they are a true [illegible], raising by their good example the masses who do not know God or Our Lord.  I know your zeal and regularity of the sacraments will do more to spread the faith than sermons and chaplains.  I remember you daily at Mass; please say an Ave for me occasionally--remembering me too to your good Priscilla.

Yours in Christ

G. P. Brennan S.J.