In my work with university alumni, I become more and more aware of our exhibits' potential to collect and educate! Each time Alumni Affairs telephones with another reunion date, our workload concentrates on creating an appropriate exhibit, hosting the event when alumni visit the exhibit, and participating in as many of the weekend's events as my schedule permits. At other times, it is the Inauguration Committee or some other special campus celebration committee seeking assistance. Through the years, I have learned that the challenges (which seem to sidetrack me from my daily goals) actually are wonderful opportunities to focus on one aspect or period of the university's history.

A highlight this winter was the return of the 1948 basketball team and cheerleaders. For those of you who don't know Western history, this team finished third in the then prestigious NIT and had a pair of cheerleaders to receive a standing ovation at half-time in Madison Square Garden. Rising to the challenge of taking precious telegrams of encouragement, photographs and artifacts to Diddle Arena and "making do" with the protection of Plexiglas boxes on a six-foot table, we were delighted by the attendance of entire families and area fans. The players' grandchildren, in particular, took great interest in seeing the exhibit. When time permits, a wonderful oral history on Coach E.A. Diddle's attitude toward his players seeing "skirts" will add to the wealth of our social history.

On May 8th, Western will inaugurate our ninth president, Gary Ransdell. Preparing for the Kentucky Building exhibit, "A Century of Leadership: Western's Presidents," is an excellent opportunity for this archivist to realize just how little she truly knew previously about the individuals who have served our university. Exploring the various roles our presidents and interim presidents have played on campus and in the community, the exhibit will include numerous photographs. Our research has indicated areas in which we would like to collect more artifacts. By including the interims, the exhibit provides an excellent opportunity to enhance our holdings relevant to these individuals and their families.

Every third year, Alumni Affairs invites all graduates of College High to return to campus for a reunion. The event and its exhibit celebrates the 64-year history of the Training School and College High. Although the campus reunion is only a two-day event (July 31-August 1), our Kentucky Building's Garden Gallery will house the exhibit from July 18th to September 4th.

All archivists know the drill of contacting alumni for potential donations prior to the reunion, accepting precious keepsakes hand delivered on the day of the exhibit, and following up on "you would not want my..." These alumni are a very special population we serve. They have the knowledge to teach us just exactly what it was like to be a student on campus during their college years! If only we had time to conduct all the oral history interviews that could naturally follow these events.

As I mark up each exhibit successfully researched, constructed and visited, I am learning to be thankful for these "focusing" events!

Submitted by Sue Lynn Stone

Page 6, Spring 1998 Newsletter