Wheaton College Alumni Magazine Autumn 2013 | Page 5

dearWHEATON I was born in Tokyo, Japan, and until getting I was delighted when I read the article about on the bus headed for HoneyRock for my Pete Willson ’50 in the most recent magazine. High Road experience before freshman year You clearly grasped the essence of Pete. at Wheaton, had never lived in the United There’s not another one quite like him! States. Perhaps it was growing up as a Pete came to Wheaton in my sophomore “third culture kid” or simply being raised by year as the assistant wrestling coach to my parents (Philip ’79 and Anda Margesson George Olson ’34. I was a wrestler out of the Foxwell ’80) and grandparents (including Appalachian coal fields and thought I could Philip ’43 and Jane Buswell Foxwell ’43), who teach the soft Midwestern boys how real urged a global approach to challenges and tough guys “rassled.” Unfortunately, I hadn’t love for all humankind, but I have always had counted on having to study before I got on The force of a tsunami flipped this concrete building in a a built-in activism, especially in response to the mat. So, I spent my freshman year on Japanese harbor town near Sendai. disasters or injustices. probation and didn’t wrestle a single match. Wheaton helped to build and shape that in Then Pete came along, and I discovered me as well. I remember being slotted as the another thing I hadn’t counted on—a Chicago student to pray in Chapel after the Indian guy who was tougher than me! But Pete is a Ocean tsunami (December 2004). That was person in whom tough and love are perfectly only a few months before I departed for merged. He nursed me through the next South Africa on my HNGR internship. Later, three years, both on and off the mat. I most after the earthquake in Haiti, I was working at assuredly owe my Wheaton diploma Wheaton in the marketing communications (wherever it is) to Pete. It is not in Pete’s department and interviewed Raymond Joseph self-effacing nature to take personal credit for ’60, then ambassador to the U.S. from Haiti. anything, but I know there are many other old In each instance, I did what I could to pray Wheaton athletes who would confess to the and encourage those connected with the same indebtedness. tragedies. I gave blood. I supported causes. Everette “Buzz” Hill ’67 Then came the morning of March 11, 2011, Mt. Prospect, Illinois when I awoke to news of the triple-disaster in action. The College, in my experience, is filled with talented, knowledgeable, and gifted spiritual leaders. Wheaton experiences have helped me connect with people, places, sports, music, art, ideas, theology, history, and travel. My parents met on campus, and our oldest daughter met her husband there. My most lasting friendships began there in 1959 and have lasted more than 50 years. Wheaton is not a perfect place, but it is a special place. I have high regard and great affection for Wheaton College and pray God’s continued blessing on its mission. to hit the Tohoku region of Japan. I was never so personally affected. Those were my In May, many of us in the Class of 1963 people, my places, my family. returned to campus for our 50th reunion. That Reading in the last Wheaton magazine about provided me opportunity to witness excellence David Amsler ’63 Flat Rock, North Carolina time spent recalling our student days caused the Humanitarian Disaster Institute took me me to reflect on how profoundly Wheaton back to the month after the earthquake, has influenced my life and helped shape my Write Us tsunami, and nuclear disaster. I—and everyone thoughts, decisions, and experiences. We want to hear from you. Send us your around me—wanted to do something but just didn’t know where to begin. Living in the Wheaton area for 40 years letters and emails as they relate to material allowed me to stay connected to the College. published in the magazine. Correspondence While serving on the Alumni Board and the must include your name, address, and a gap that exists across the world. It means Parents Council, I participated in college phone number. The editor reserves the right churches can no longer say, “We weren’t activities. As president of the Alumni Associa- to determine the suitability of letters for prepared,” when called on to help in times of tion, I attended trustee meetings and observed publication and to edit them for accuracy severe need—both domestic and international. how the “gatekeepers” make decisions from and length. Unfortunately, not all letters can This initiative makes me proud to call Wheaton different perspectives and experiences, but in be published nor can they be returned. alma mater. harmony of purpose and commitment. Editor, Wheaton The Humanitarian Disaster Institute fills Alanna Foxwell Barajas ’06 Mableton, Georgia Following my retirement, I worked in the development office for eight years, which Wheaton College / Wheaton, IL 60187 [email protected] WHEATON    3