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