FIRST WORDS

Katrina Whips Up Editorial Irony

s Hurricane Katrina slammed into Louisiana and Mississippi on August 29, thus began the worst natural disaster in the history of the United States. Just days later, the fall issue of Miami magazine showed up in your mailbox, its cover clad in red hurricane warning flags, swirling cloud patterns, and wind-whipped palm trees.

In its 15 years of publication, this was the first time Miami magazine ran a feature story on the breadth of hurricane research at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. Katrina was not even a blip on the radar when the magazine shipped to the printer, but the storm’s timing made for an uncanny issue debut. Not to mention that two months later, Hurricane Wilma halted University operations for an entire week and caused intense stress and economic strife for South Floridians.

Timing is one of the greatest challenges and opportunities for any periodical. As history unfolds, Miami magazine aims to capture it, investigate its implications, and present it in a way that has the most value for you. Like the oral historians in the cover story of this issue explain, it’s the voices of the individuals who witness and effect change that highlight the impact of events. Our pages are a forum for such voices, including yours. We hope you’ll send us your stories and help us showcase the historic evolution of our extended University of Miami family.

— Meredith Danton, Editor

Every Vote Counts

he article “Political Primer”(spring 2004) featured several prominent UM alumni, including former state representative Mike Abrams. I, too, learned a valuable political lesson participating in student government at UM. In my freshman year I was elected class president. Other candidates in that race were Ron Lieberman, A.B. ’68, who later emerged in Miami-Dade County as a leading Democratic Party activist, and Dexter Lehtinen, A.B. ’68, who is best known today for a distinguished career in public service, first in the Florida Legislature and then in the United States Attorney’s Office.

Toward the end of my one-year term, I ran for sophomore class president. When the votes were counted, amazingly I was tied for first place. In other words, I failed to win the election by a single vote. Later that evening a fraternity brother confided that he did not vote. I was crestfallen. To break the deadlock, UM repeated the election one week later, and this time I lost! This incident imbued me with a lasting lesson: Whenever you run for public office, every vote counts!

This lesson provided ample incentive for me to work diligently for every vote many years later, when I ran for a seat in the Florida House of Representatives—on the advice and counsel of Ron Lieberman. The night I won the primary election, which was the first time I ran for elective office since my undergraduate days at UM, the very first congratulatory telephone call I received was from State Representative Dexter Lehtinen.

Art Simon, B.B.A. ’68, J.D. ’74
University of Miami

Healthy Skepticism of the Divine

s a psychologist, I read with interest the recent article “Divine Inspiration” (fall 2005). As an atheist, I read it with the usual trepidation. The article reflects a growing movement in psychology, medicine, and related disciplines of trying to show that religious belief is healthy and that atheists and other “nonbelievers” like myself are thus less healthy (or at least not functioning properly).

While your article states that some researchers recognize the problems religion has caused throughout history, they don’t seem to appreciate how their research is promoting an agenda of marginalizing those who do not believe in a religion or “higher power.”

The old cliché that “there are no atheists in the foxhole” is really not true. Throughout my practice I have worked with plenty of war veterans who are atheists. It’s important to realize that healthy humans can certainly be nonbelievers!

Frederick J. Kier, M.S.Ed. ’95
Via the Internet

Power of Persuasive Writing

enjoyed your fall 2005 article “Meet the Press,” about the long history of The Miami Hurricane. During my years as a student, I was an op-ed columnist for The Hurricane. I wrote pieces in response to current events from 1988 to 1993; it was a formative experience for me that I think about frequently. I covered everything from the Gulf War to the fatwa against Salman Rushdie and the value of freedom of speech to the lost art of letter writing. My topics ranged from the serious to the funny, but more than anything I wanted to provoke dialogue and discourse on the campus. Judging by the volume of letters to the editor (as well as phone calls to the answering machine in my room in Hecht Residential College), it was an effective effort.

Though I did not pursue a career in journalism, I do cherish those years as a columnist. The process of interviewing experts, gathering facts, and forming a position about a given issue has served me well. I use the power of persuasive writing today in my role as a fundraising director for a major university in Chicago. I’m grateful for my time as a Hurricane columnist, and I was delighted to see your coverage of this important student activity at the University of Miami.

Rebecca Hoffman
A.B. ’92, M.S.Ed. ’94
Via the Internet

A testament to education

feel the need to share some of the wonderful things that have happened to me as a result of my University of Miami experience. In July of 2002, after completing the master’s in special education program, I was promoted by The Government of the Bahamas to the position of senior master grade A of a high school, the youngest person ever appointed to that position.

Now I work for Kerzner International as the director of training at the Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas resort. I am responsible for the development and delivery of training to 7,000-plus employees at this five-star resort. I truly believe the University of Miami and dedicated professors such as Robert Moore and Ann Bessell prepared me for the roles I now fulfill. I encourage everyone with whom I come in contact to seek higher education. In my opinion, the University of Miami is the place to get it done.

Ian R. Ferguson, M.S.Ed. ’02
Via the Internet

Correction

In the fall 2005 issue, an Office of Estate and Gift Planning profile of Mack and Betty Roper stated that Mack, B.S. ’49, hasn’t missed a Hurricanes football home game in 16 years. Actually, he hasn’t missed one in 60 years.

Letters:
We welcome your letters. All letters must be signed (your name will not be printed if you so request in writing) and may be edited for clarity and space.Address letters to:

Meredith Danton
Miami magazine
P.O. Box 248105
Coral Gables, FL 33124
E-mail: mdanton@miami.edu