One of the first things I was told about Colgate University while being recruited for my current position is how much ownership alumni feel for their alma mater. I've witnessed that sense of ownership manifest itself in the letters (both complimentary and critical) sent in by Scene readers, in the hundreds of alumni volunteers who devote time, energy and resources to events such as Homecoming, Reunion Weekend and Real World, provide leadership for regional alumni clubs, help with class fundraising, assist the admissions effort and are resources for Career Services, those who offer their talents to Colgate's Board of Trustees and the Alumni Corporation Board of Directors, and others who find time to connect with, and give back to, Colgate in a myriad of ways, large and small.

That sense of ownership also became apparent in one of the more enjoyable articles I've worked on during my first year at Colgate: the cover story for the March Colgate Scene about an extended study group that explored the context of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. A crucial component of the experience for students was the participation of alumni and members of the Hamilton community, both as visitors to the classroom and in online discussions on issues presented in the class, The Advent of the Atomic Bomb. Unfortunately, a lack of space kept us from printing the names of most participants, so we offer them now with thanks for their continued participation in the life of Colgate.

Deb Enea '91 — financial program manager at Solarcom LLC, adjunct professor of art history at the Art Institute of Atlanta

Ed Janos '49 — former reserve officer, U.S. Air Force, co-founder of direct marketing company SupportPlus

Edward C. Jones M.D. '64 — orthopedic surgeon, former White House aide

Frank Lawatsch '43 — former senior vice president, Industrial Division, DeLaval Separator Co.

USMC Lt. Gen. (ret.) Tom Morgan '52 — former assistant commandant, U.S. Marine Corps

Peter A. Peyser '43 — former infantryman, Bronze Star winner in World War II, former congressman

Bob Richardson '01 — law student

Phil Sanford '49 — retired sales consultant

Edward Schell '43 — former naval officer, served on USS Quincy when the warship helped transport President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Yalta Conference in 1944

Thomas Seligson '73 — corporate counsel, Alcoa

Tim Shea '03 — history and peace studies major

Robert Smith '49 — retired businessman, former infantryman, Bronze Star winner in World War II

Frank Speer — retired businessman, Hamilton resident, former naval petty officer and radar specialist on a destroyer escort

Joanne Spigner '76 — co-founder, business consulting firm VisionFirst

USAFR Col. (ret) Fred Stone M.D. '49 — former Army Air Corps pilot, medical director of Jefferson County (N.Y.) Public Health Service

Jon Wilham '95 — program manager at FGM Inc. for the firm's web-based, collaborative command and control system created for the Defense Advanced Research Programs Agency

USN Capt. (ret) Rick Woolard '65 — former Navy SEAL, decorated Vietnam veteran, including Silver Star, Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Legion of Merit

As this issue is being completed, American forces are nearing Baghdad as the war in Iraq proceeds to its expected outcome and uncertain aftermath. How the military confrontation impacts the Colgate community — such as through the experiences of alumni and students serving in the armed forces or those active in their opposition to the conflict — will likely be addressed in future issues of the Scene. In the meantime, I fervently hope and pray the war ends quickly and with a minimal loss of life. To all Americans serving in the military — including several Colgate alumni, at least one student and the child of a Colgate employee — I have one simple message: Godspeed, and may you return home soon.

Gary E. Frank