The Monon Bell early Friday morning – the touchup paint is still drying

That’s right sports fans…some DePauw students made an attempt on the Bell early Thursday morning. (The Bell was safe and sound at Chapel just a few minutes ago- but with a new/rebuilt handle.)

I’ll give you the basics as I know then….you can pick the “options” which best meet your storytelling needs.

Late Wed/early Thursday a group of – 3,000 or 300 or 30 or 15 – students from DePauw tried to heist the Bell.  Guarding the bell were – 30 or 15 or 3 – pledges from a fraternity (you could use TKE if you wanted to do so).

The DePauw students subdued the Wabash pledges using much greater numbers while some DePauw students tried to grab the Bell.  A slight miscalculation by the DePauw students on the Bell’s weight – no fault of their own  as it’s been a long time – meant the Bell was dropped causing damage to the handle.  By this time the alarm had sounded on campus and – 300 Spartans or guys on white horses or more pledges and Rich Woods – showed up to control the Bell and send the DePauw students on their way.

The Grunge is excited for one reason.  At least someone down South missed the Bell and wants it back.  This is the stuff rivalries are made of…

David Powell ’81 and son Graham

David Powell ’81 sent this photo in while I was out in the Southwest.  That’s David and son Graham this past summer at the top of Mount Baldy in the Philmont Scout Ranch.

Baldy stands at over 12,400 feet so that air is a little thin.  Looks like they had a great time.

The smiles say it all.

Multi-tasking

There was a very familiar sound this morning when I stepped out of the office.  The Monon Bell has that unique, crisp sound.

I just had to swing by the Chapel to see who had the duty.  This young man was ringing the bell and using his laptop.  I assumed the laptop had homework on it…why else take a laptop to Bell duty?

The guys at the Chapel were fired up and ready to go.  So is the Grunge!

Temple of Isis

Here’s another Wabash perspective on the Grand Canyon by Jotipalo Bhikkhu ’88:

Greetings Tom,
Just saw your blog on the recent trip!  Over Easter weekend this year,
myself and three friends spent five days in the Canyon, hiking down to
Indian Garden, then Bright Angel campground, then back up the same
route.  The day we were leaving was the first day the heat index at
Indian Garden reached 120 degrees, and the ranger informed us Summer
was official started in the Canyon.

We has an awesome time, and I hope and imagine you did as well.
Attached are two photos from the trip.  In the Temple of Isis photo,
I’m the one in the center (the one who looks really tired).

Peace,
Jotipalo Bhikkhu

That’s right – Grunge (with the help of Howard Hewitt!) is breaking this news.

We’ll have an alumni trip to France next summer featuring the best France has to offer – wine and Paris.  Join Howard Hewitt and Professor Michelle Rhoades as they lead you a little and let you explore on a great trip.

Here’s the link: http://www.wabash.edu/alumni/france/.

A little high with extra, extra heat!

Professor Todd McDorman and a group of students made the trip to Cooperstown.  Research…fun…learning…a look at history…it’s all there.

Get the real word from the guys on the trip – click here.

Take a close look

It’s tough to do in a blog size photo but that line running across the plateau is a trail.  It seems to drop into the river…but it doesn’t.  It does give you a sense of how big the Canyon is and how small we are.

Another look at the trail

If you look closely you can see the ear to ear grin on the Grunge’s face.

There are a lot of “steps”

Today, the Burgess team of 2012 – different than Team Burgess 2009 – heads into the Canyon.  Dudley will have Judy along for part of the way and sons Andy, Matt, and Mark for the duration.  There are friends of the family going as well.

The Grunge has sons Chris and Jeremy along – I can’t wait for Jer to experience it all.  Chris and the Grunge are no longer “rookies”…WooHoo!

The Grand Canyon

Grunge…son Chris ’94…son Jeremy…Dudley Burgess ’64…son Andy ’90…son Matt ’92…son Mark…and other instant friends are in there somewhere.

See the big smiles?  That’s us.

Back in a few!

WomenCertified.com recently placed a full page ad in USA Today (October 15, 2012) to name it’s best hospitals for patient experience.  Lafayette General Medical Center in Lafayette, Louisiana was one of the three noted in Louisiana.

CEO Is A Wabash Alumnus!

That’s Dave Callecod, Class of 1989 and President and CEO of Lafayette General.  Congratulations to Dave and the Lafayette General team – well done!