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By James E. Armstrong '25
Editorial
Comment
THIS issue of the ALUMNUS announces
a long-awaited and perhaps
long-overdue expansion of our
Alumni Association staff.
There are some comments in connection
with the changes that seem important
to me.
Ahvays, you regret losing a staff
member. John Laughlin has a fine
\vriting talent, and contributed much
to the ALUMNUS readers during his
eight years as managing editor. The
volume of detail took on some of the
character of The Old Man and the
Sea to John's creative abilities. Certainly
all of us wish him the recognition
and the enjoyment of his capacities,
in the many years he has ahead.
Jim Cooney is a young but familiar
addition, coming from the excellent
preparatory programs of the Foundation,
and from the colorful world of
the University Theatre.
Sinularly, John Thurin assumes editorial
responsibilities of both the
ALUMNUS and NOTRE DAME magazines
working under the present editors,
with sound background as editor-inchief
of the 1959 Dome. He was a
successful officer in the rigorous programs
of the Army, and has been a
valuable member of the University of
Notre Dame Press for the past several
years.
And Jim Gibbons, who will devote
some of his time to Association projects,
is already familiar as a former member
of Notre Dame teams, -coaching staff,
and more recently (and continuing) as
the assistant to the Director of Public
Relations, Art Haley.
You wU note the youth of the new
men. In addition to the impUcation of
Younger personnel join an association
of younger alumni to face new problems,
programs and concepts.
long associations, with the invaluable
asset of continuit}', I hope the new appointments
also open a broader era of
understanding of the large number of
our younger alumni, and, even more
importantly, the advent of adequate
handling of new problems and programs
in the Association.
Our Workshop of last January and
the considerations of the Alumni Board
have spotlighted the inevitability of
new concepts.
The imaginative and effective expansion
of the University programs
under Father Hesburgh \vill demand
many accompanying new and imaginative
alumni approaches.
Computerization is an almost certain
trend within a few years.
Club and Class organizations ^^^ll
face substantial changes.
Placement will take on new dimensions
and relationships.
Continuing education \vill become
perhaps a dominant factor in alumni
life.
Public relations, financial support,
enrollment problems will all assume
new proportions.
But one important fact remains.
Much of the past success of the Association
has come from alumni initiative.
The new program will not produce
push-button or instant substitutes
for this essential perennial.
As the presiding elder who has lived
under six Presidents and nine football
coaches, indulge me in just a few
reminders.
The same fine tradition of alimini
family identity that marked the Association's
birth in 1868 persists today,
and should never be a casualty.
The tangible services to the University
that existed as a purpose a hundred
years ago have only gro\vn in scope and
diversity. The principle remains intact,
and desire to serve should remain
dogma.
The expectations of our society when
it faces a graduate of Notre Dame may
sound far greater and be phrased quite
differently now and in the years ahead,
but analysis in depth wSl always include
a good image of the Ten Commandments
and the Sermon on the
Mount.
And while the programs of the Association
must keep step with, iri fact
lead, the creation of a sound and productive
alunmi, another dogma, it
seems to me, must be the ftmction of
the Association: fighting a protective
rearguard action against the aggressive
pursuit of progressive impersonalization.
Stroganoff or stew, the beef is vital.
Whatever the blend of the future -—
and our faith is unlimited in it — we
should never omit basic ineredients.
Notre Dame Alumnus, September-October, 1965 3