Thanks for this link. He's 88 now and was only 38 when he took over the university. Check out his biography if you want to see something: http://www.vernonalden.com/

Indulge me, please. 

When I think of Vern Alden, the words 'memories' and 'luck' come to mind.

I regard myself as lucky that Vern's years as Ohio president spanned my years in Athens - '63-'67.  He was a most energetic, engaging leader.  I recall vividly the times he visited Gam Hall to hang out with the guys.  Then there was his late wife Marion's sense of whimsy.  The photo at left shows Fran Femia Hahn on the dust jacket of one of my books.  Frannie was the original bobkitten mascot, a role she played for three years.  Twice for Halloween parties, Marion borrowed Frannie's bobkitten costume.

Some years ago - I don't recall how - my first book came to Vern's attention.  One day I received a long, handwritten letter in which he told me how much enjoyed the book.  He also disclosed that, after serving some 20 years on the board of Digital Equipment Corporation, he had never learned to type or use computers. 

Soon afterward we met in Cleveland.  He reached into his jacket pocket and extracted a business card.  He handed it to me with this directive: Whenever you have a new book out, send me a signed copy and I will send payment.  Soon he will be receiving his 6th such tome. 

Subsequently our paths have crossed a few more times and one of those crossings led to his inviting me to visit him in Boston or or Martha's Vineyard.  Athought I travel often and far, I've not yet made that visit. 

He sprung more surprises on me.  He has sent me his two books.  I especially recommend his Speaking for Myself - The Personal Reflections of Vernon R. Alden.  It is both insightful and entertaining.  ISBNs for hard and soft covers are 0-9650743-2-3 and 0-9650743-3-1.  It was copyrighted by Ohio University Libraries.  Tucked inside the book is a 5X7 black and white photo I took during the 1966 homecoming game.  I was interning with SID and had a sideline pass.  Vern is grinning happily as he and the homecoming queen hold her large trophy.  To their left is Tanis Galik, a homecoming court member with whom I had grown close.  She too is holding a large trophy.

More recently Vern sent me a CD that he commissioned.  It includes Marion's favorite songs.  19 of them.  Lots of Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, Mills Brothers, Hawaii Loa Trio, et al.  Title is "Just As Though You Were Here."  Marion is pictured on the cover in a delightful way.  She is looking to the right of the camera, her visage seemingly reflecting surprise, her reading glasses perched near the tip of her nose.  Inside and on the CD itself are photos of Marion looking out onto the sea. 

Like I said, memories and luck.

I believe the impetus for his letter was hearing the "OU -- Oh  Yeah!" cheer at a recent basketball game he attended in the Convo.  He really gets uptight every time he hears a public use of "OU" to refer to The Ohio University. 

OCF-I heard that cheer on TV and thought there goes about 20 years of effort down the drain.  It is just hard to get your arms around OHIO when it was those two derogatory terms (OU and Ohio U) during your formative years