PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

One Remembered

At Homecoming we dedicated our fine new sports and recreation facilities, the Gardner-Hawks Center and the Cooperman Atrium. The names were chosen to honor the family foundations of Dan and Jeanne Gardner, Howard and Rhonda Hawks, and Harold and Merriam Cooperman, whose lead gifts helped make the facilities possible. Speaking for the families, Howard Hawks pointed to two Dana student platform guests and said, “We do it for you, the students. That’s what motivates us.” We thank God for that spirit of giving. Giving and reaching out have played a prominent role in Dana history.

Nearly 50 years ago, I had my first encounter with Dana students. The Dana Men’s Glee Club performed at my church in Wisconsin. Their spirit was contagious. I remember a black man sang the solo part in “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.” I later learned that many regard him as the greatest all-around athlete in Dana’s history. He graduated in 1956, and when I started at Dana in the fall of 1957, the Marion Hudson stories abounded: How this 6-footer could spring above the rim to his elbows and slam dunk the basketball; how he dominated as a broken field runner on the grid iron; how he won the Drake Relays with a taped javelin and how his long jumps rivaled Olympic records.

Marion turned 70 recently and was recognized at our last home football game. Marion is in declining health, but came to Dana to share a few words with our football team before the game and join friends who are establishing a scholarship in his name after the game for birthday cake.

It was a retired teacher from Snyder, Neb., Alex Meyer, a graduate of our sister institution, Midland Lutheran College, who turned our attention to Hudson. For more than 50 years, Hudson has been Meyer’s hero. As a youth, Meyer followed Hudson’s career in the Omaha papers and, five decades later, he still admires the man. Meyer contacted Hudson’s football coach at Dana, Keith Skogman, and several of Marion’s classmates like Dr. James Thomsen, a retired University of Wisconsin Medical School professor. Meyer and Jim and Barb Thomsen have challenged others to join them in supporting the Marion Hudson Scholarship that will help others like Marion who could not attend without scholarship help.

The Hudson story is worth telling. He came to Dana because of Dana students. They raised $355 for a scholarship to bring a young black student to Dana. Omaha Central Coach Frank Smagacz recommended Hudson to Coach Paul Petersen, and in the fall of 1952 he became Dana’s first African-American student. Another black student from Omaha, Rodney Wead, followed. Since then scores of minority students have come to Dana.

The 1952 effort wasn’t the first by Dana students. Following World War II, Dana students rallied to raise funds to make possible the attendance of Juri Taht from Estonia.

Seventeen years ago, students were supportive in helping us bring the first of 12 Namibian students to Dana, and a few years later, 17 Chinese students were welcomed to campus with the help of Dana students.

It is my prayer that students, alumni and friends of Dana will continue to support efforts to bring a diverse group of students here, including those whose color, creed, ethnic background or other identification might preclude their attendance. Some of Dana’s proudest moments have come because we have welcomed persons who could not be here without our support. “Do you love me?” Jesus said to Simon Peter. “Then feed my lambs.” (John 21:15-17) May many keep such efforts in their prayers and lend financial support.

A few weeks ago, another great Dana student athlete of Hudson’s era, Neil Moore, died, and I was again reminded how Moore and Hudson and so many more have quietly shaped and inspired others. I am grateful that Alex Meyer came forth to help us thank and remember Marion Hudson, one who has made Dana and the world a richer and better community.