Letters

Like so many members of the Emory family who live a great distance from Atlanta, I rely on Emory Magazine to provide my window on the Emory of the present. In the decade since my retirement from the faculty and administration of Emory College, I have followed with pride and pleasure the astonishing progress of my university toward an ever-advancing position of national and international leadership. Many elements of strength and excellence have contributed to this trend, foremost among them the outstanding faculties of Emory’s various schools and colleges. But the strongest and most consistent thread in Emory’s colorful fabric is the underpinning of moral responsibility and human compassion that is the immeasurable legacy of former President Jim Laney and former Dean of Campus Life Bill Fox. It is this legacy that sets Emory apart from all other universities. Every great university possesses many strengths, and most institutions resemble each other in this regard. But no university, it seems to me, stands on quite the same ground as Emory in its emphasis on the values and the individual and collective qualities that make us human. Thank you for bringing Emory into our home through Emory Magazine.

—Garland Richmond, Professor Emeritus of German Studies, Former Associate Dean of Emory College, Bellingham, Washington

Recently, I read the Emory Magazine feature story covering Jonathan Starr 99C (“An Unlikely Education,” summer 2011) who had founded a college prep school called Abaarso Tech in a hostile corner of Africa. This well-written article should be a source of pride for alumni as well as for the university. It should also be a goad to Emory’s conscience. For less than T-W-O million US dollars, this Emory man has built a school that educates two hundred kids who can chart the path forward for their fellow citizens in a hellish part of the world. There is little doubt on my part that this is a wonderful endeavor being conducted in a dangerous place. Its mission, I think, is much closer to Emory’s original ideal than Emory’s today.

—James A. Brodie 73OX, Manhasset, New York

 I enjoyed your article on the Atlanta Silverbacks soccer team (“Kicking Grass, summer 2011). Boris Jerkunica was a classmate of mine at Emory—such a great guy! I thought you might like to know that the medical doctor for all home games of the Atlanta Silverbacks is also an Emory graduate, Antonio Ferrara 86C, who also played soccer with Boris at Emory.

—Teresa Penley Sheppard 86C, Atlanta

 As I watch Man v. Food (“Soul Food,” summer 2011), I am certainly entertained, but I am also reminded of how food is an expression of the culture and rich history of a city. Although I enjoy Adam Richman very much and often think that he is the kind of guy that I would have a beer with and perhaps watch a football game with, too, I catch myself watching the people in the background as he tours the nation. He leads us on a journey of manifestation of a community through food. Eateries are where I often find the history of a city and the backbone of a community. The people in the episodes are such genuine fans of Adam, but more than that, they are genuine fans of their cities and are eager to showcase the uniqueness of the place that they call home. They unite in their support of Richman and his willingness to engage in a challenge that makes their corner of the world special. The food that is sampled speaks to the character and quirkiness of a particular city, and when the program is examined on a larger scale, it speaks to the rich tapestry that makes up our nation. Man v. Food does a masterful job of delving into the delicious differences found in cities across the nation that is expressed through food and the restaurants where entrées are created. It is a nod to the creativity, hard work, and perseverance of food establishments and the hard-working people that keep them running. It also reminds me that the celebration that goes along with eating is universal and that although the cuisine may be different, the connection to the cuisine is one and the same.

—Amy Myers, Powder Springs

 “Super Foodie” (“Soul Food,” summer 2011) is indeed something to celebrate. Can football be far behind?