Letters to the Editor

Global issue enjoyed

I read with interest and truly enjoyed the Global Issue of Marquette Magazine. I and my family had the good fortune to live in Brussels, Belgium, for 10 years while I was a director of an independent, intergovernmental, international organization. We traveled extensively in Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and Australia. Each of our sons attended a university overseas, and all the boys speak another language. We all have good friends around the world, and we keep in regular touch with them. We even have an Argentine daughter-in-law who is now a professor at an American university. The exposure to other cultures, languages, religions and political systems means that you continue to learn as you consider issues from different points of view. If my 30 years of international travel have taught me anything, it is this: Different is just different and, more often than not, different is good and interesting. I encourage all Marquette students to take advantage of any foreign travel or educational opportunities that present themselves. 
Michael Schmitz,  Bus Ad ’67  

WWII flyboys admired

I was on the ground with the 8th Airforce for 30 months and had the highest respect for those guys who went up daily to fly those B17s and B24s.
Don O’Reilly, Eng ’58

Memories of Marquette

Thank you for sending me Marquette Magazine. In 1951, I began a spiritual year that included the 30-day retreat exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. I met and got to admire Father Bernard Cooke before he left the priesthood, and I’m sure every journalism grad of the time never forgot Dean Sullivan and so many others. I began graduate studies for a master’s in journalism on Sept. 1, 1958. I received my degree in 1961. I’ve never been back, but I have an indelible memory of coming down 12th Street full of pride in that magnificent facade of Gesu Church.
Rev. Theodore “Ted” Gerken, Grad ’61

Our gem, Father Naus

I was lucky to meet him in Schroeder and take his humor class. I saw him in his clown suit a few times, too.
Gregg Hilliard, Arts ’87

I now have college kids myself and have told them about the midnight Mass at Schroeder. Father Naus was a wonderful role model for me and such a welcome face each week. I had no idea he was 88!
JoAnne Markel Otto, PT ’76

Father Naus and midnight Mass, clown suit, and his sermons would end mid-sermon when a child or baby cried at midnight Mass. He said it was God’s way of telling him to stop. Enjoy your retirement.
Michele Vertucci, Arts ’74

Father Naus had not yet joined Marquette when I graduated. I had the good fortune to meet him during my son’s campus visit while my son was looking at universities. Father Naus made my son’s visit. He was kind, helpful and inviting. My son still speaks with awe of his time with Father Naus. Enjoy your retirement. You will be missed.
Matthew Jungblut, Arts ’78

I met Father Naus my freshman year, and he has been a mentor and friend since then. He has shared his wisdom and humor with me and my family, and we will always be in his debt.
David Guy, PT ’67

We just attended a Mass and celebration honoring Father Naus for his many years of dedication and service to the Evans Scholar chapter at Marquette. His work as spiritual adviser, academic counselor and presence throughout our existence at Marquette made a great difference in all our lives. You are loved and will forever be a part of our Marquette experience. On a personal note, I will miss the impromptu visits with Father Naus at his campus office and his warmth and humor. May our paths cross again soon.
Tom Burke, Arts ’75

As an incoming freshman, seven days after orientation, a greatly loved family member passed away and I had to fly to Boston for the funeral. Father Naus was the first person I saw when I got the news. His guidance and steady hand in September of 1967 will never be forgotten.
Mark R. Russell, Arts ’71

Father Naus has touched the lives of all who have met him. Our daughter, Liz, celebrated Mass with Father Naus while attending Marquette and holds much admiration for the man who can bring sunshine on a dreary day. We say, so long, and God bless you. We shall meet again. Failte!
Donna Fitzgerald

Dream come true

I would like to send my sincerest thanks to everyone at Marquette for the wonderful and warm welcome we received when we came to Marquette for International Orientation and Freshman Orientation. My son was born and raised in Japan, and though I am an expat Milwaukeean, I always dreamed that my children would be able to attend Marquette University. My wife’s and my dream started to come true when our oldest son was accepted at Marquette. We spent a truly wonderful week learning about the Marquette family and the bright future that our son has in front of him. Everyone put us at ease in knowing that he is in great hands and that there is little, if anything, that we need to worry about him matriculating at Marquette. Kudos to the staff and administration for making us feel welcome, and a special kudos to all the students who went out of their way to make all of us feel welcome and a new part of the Marquette community! May God’s blessings shine forever on Marquette and all the people who attend and work there.
Paul Odya

We welcome your feedback on the contents of Marquette Magazine. All letters considered for publication must include the sender’s first and last names. We reserve the right to edit letters for length and will print only letters that are thoughtful and relevant to the contents of the magazine.

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