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Remembering ArundelLeigh sums up her experience in justfew words, “There was nothing likeArundel. I’ll have that always.”I Missed the Revolution by a DayDon Melander, NEC’s Vice President ofAcademic Affairs and Dean of LiberalArts and Sciences, served as the Directorof the British campus between 1977 and1979. Don’s arrival on a dark and dampSunday left him thinking, “What am I infor?” But as the sun came out on Mondaymorning and Don began meeting his newcolleagues, all his concerns vanished. “Allthe tensions dropped away,” he said.“This was a great placeto be. The social life wasextraordinary.”International Night was a favoritecelebration on the Arundel campus eachfall and spring semester. It was a timewhen all students, faculty, staff, and theirguests could get together to acknowledgethe truly diverse nature of the community.Early in the day, students dug large pitsand roasted whole lambs. The meal wasserved in the dininghall decked out withthe flags of all thecountries representedon the campus and,after dinner, guestsmoved to the largeroom next door for a night of dancing.And there were other epicurean occasionsas well. Some of the Lebanese studentsmade arrangements with the innkeepers ofthe Black Rabbit Pub to cook a traditionaldinner for their College friends. Guestswere invited to “dress” for dinner andbrandy and Havana cigars were enjoyedafter the meal. “Students were sosophisticated,” said Don. “It was wonderfulto see.” One day an internationalstudent made an appointment to seeDon with an unusual request. “You haveto do something about the ghosts,” Donwas told. “Things are moving aroundmy room.”Approximately half the student populationat Arundel came from the United Statesand half from countries around the world,with a large contingent of students fromthe Middle East. In 1978 Donaccompanied NEC President KenCommiskey on a trip to the Middle Eastto meet parents and alumni and recruitnew students. Scheduled to fly fromKuwait to Iran, Don was unable to book aflight to Tehran on the day of his choice. “IfI had flown the day I had wanted, I wouldhave landed in the middle of the Iranianrevolution and wouldn’t have been able toleave the country for as long as six months.I missed the revolution by one day!” In acircuitous route to leave Jordan, Don metthree alumnae from the Arundel programin Amman and together, they took a busacross the desert and hired ponies to travelto the ancient town of Petra.In another visit to the Middle East, Donremembers watching a group of youngboys playing soccer in a Roman coliseum.“I couldn’t help but think that childrenhad been playing right here for over 2000years,” he mused. “In coming fromthe United States to England, youimmediately become aware of movingfrom a relatively young country to onewith hundreds of years of history. Butwhen you visit the Middle East, you canliterally see thousands of years of historyall around you.”A Pint A DayNo one thought it unusual that theDirector of Campus Safety, Bill Eckford,was also the bartender at the TortingtonArms Pub on the Arundel campus.Students were legally able to drink at thetime and the pub was one of the centers ofcommunity life. Eric Braun, Dean ofStudents on the British campus from 1994to 1996, received some unusual advicefrom the Scotsman. “Tell your students tocome to the pub every night for a pint ofbeer,” he said. “It’s the best way to create asense of community, and besides, that wayI can keep an eye on them.”“It was a place wherethey could be removedfrom the spotlight oftheir own countriesand live just likeanyone else.”1920 today FALL ’09