For the most part, I enjoyed Western News editor Jason Winders’ column (“A slightly less instant reaction to instant reactions,” Feb. 2), even though he said most reactions “are dead wrong.” I am, however, curious as to what is “dead wrong” about honesty.
I have two degrees from Western (1951-56) and taught here from 1959-99, chaired every Senate committee except Budget and Finance, and truly loved my years in administration (plus 28 years as chair of Classical Studies). During those years I felt as though I was contributing to the university.
Now, my colleagues elsewhere are laughing at me and it hurts.
One of the aims of a university should be the search for truth, not the promulgation of falsehood. To call us Western University and actually have westernu as an email address, makes me so ashamed. Western will receive a substantial sum of money from an insurance policy when I die and I am looking into the possibility of changing this to a charity with higher standards.
My daughter, also a UWO grad, was planning to follow in my footsteps, but no longer. All I ask is that you not belittle those who care deeply about UWO and that you recognize their concern for honesty.
Douglas Gerber