rak_2

previously

In the fall of 1959, I entered Villa Madonna College in Covington KY. The buildings were several old buildings from 12^th St to 11^th St and from Madison two streets east to Greenup, where on the corner was the old St Joseph Church used as an auditorium. An old Benedictine convent next door on 12^th had administration on the lower levels and the library on the fourth floor. At 12^th and Scott was the old St Joseph's Elementary School used as classrooms.

Down on 6^th was the old Mother of God Elementary School, which had on the first floor the physics department.

The tuition of the first two years was covered by a scholarship I received from the school related to the fact that I had graduated from a Catholic high school. Of the other 4 semesters, I paid for 3 with my earnings and my parents paid for the fourth.

<1959>

Freshman and Sophomore years I had: "honors History" with Sr Mary Philip Trauth SND;  "honors English" with Sr Lorotto Marie Driscoll CDP.

Freshman year I had: Chemistry - lecture and lab; Math; Religion. Note somewhere along the line I started taking the religion classes in the summer in the mornings, two "semesters" per summer.

At Christmas time, I got a job @ Shillito's downtown Cincinnati selling toys.  I remember I (and possibly a parent) had to go downtown Cincinnati to the Board of Education to get some form so I could work @ age 16.  I don't remember if Gertrude found me the job, or just pointed it out.

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Either January 1960 or 1961, Gertrude got me a job as a stock clerk in "Linens & towels" at McAlpin's downtown Cincinnati.  I worked the January white sale.  My stockroom was on an upper floor.  One of my tasks was inventory.

All items had a machine-attached tag attached by a pin.  At the time of a sale, the sales clerk tore off the end and placed it in a jar.  I had to manually sort and count by what is now called SKU.  A manual, "real-time" sales analysis.

I worked there again the following summer, including the August white sale.

The white sales were quite busy.  The department manager cut the prices on all items more than usual and included items not usually on sale,such as "odd size" sheets such as Queen and King.  Apparently the prices were good, because owners of small motels would come in and buy unopened boxes of sheets.  (As many as 12 to a box, depending of the physical size of the folded and packaged sheet.)  At the peak, I would bring a large cart of merchandise to the floor and people would take items from the cart.

I remember it being said that some of the specialty sizes sold 2 to 5 times the expected volume.  We had to do emergency reorders.

One of the towel brands was Martex.  I think the "in house" sheet brand was First Lady.

<1960>

Sophomore year I had: Physics - lecture and lab; Math; Religion; Logic (taught by the Philosphy department Fr Rooks?); Philosophy of Man

<1961>

Junior and senior years physics - lecture and labs, some math (one of them extra beyond requirements to raise my grade point average), religion, philosophy, a speech class.

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Western & Southern Life Insurance Company and me

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My social life in college was minimal, partly because I was two years younger than other students at my grade level, and partly because of "shyness".

In my sophomore year, I pledged Sigma Alpha Lambda fraternity.

Road trips in college.

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VMC class of 1963 reunion 2013

First a thank you to those who organized it, both college team members and celebrating alumni.

Second a sadness that at least 29 of our 132 members are deceased.

Third a sadness that so few showed up. There was talk as the last attendees left that there needed to be a "post mortem". I suggest a "post partum". One of the lessons to be learned might be that organization of the events was not started soon enough. By several decades. A graduating class exists as a community up to the point of graduation. After that, it takes work to maintain any community.

Fourth joy at seeing those who showed. My personal sincere thanks for that.

Fifth the class of 2013 baccalaureate Mass or should I say Mess. The point where the liturgical incense set off the smoke detectors, may have been prophetic, or merely a point made by the Spirit that form is less important than substance.

requiescant in pacem to those who have gone before

ad multos annos to those who remain

See: Villa Madonna College