Centralight

Your Voice No food is 'chemical free' EDITOR: In the Winter 2009 issue of Centralight on Page 4, the "Campus greens" brief stated that students encourage "chemical- free" food production. Being an adjunct faculty member in the CMU Department of Chemistry, I could not let this pass without comment. I know that the word "chemical" as used here is not defi ned by the users of this word in the same way that chemists defi ne it, but this situation needs to be changed. In reality there is no such thing as "chemical-free food." Every material thing is chemical – the food we eat, the air we breathe, the clothes we wear, our own bodies, everything. You (they) need to say "added pesticide-free food" or "artifi cial fertilizer-free food" or whatever it is free of, but not "chemical-free food." Actually there are natural pesticides and fertilizers (nutrients) present in plants that become foods. The world's people would starve if everyone ate "chemical-free food." Wendell Dilling Department of Chemistry CMU Thanks for Centralight online EDITOR: Love the online magazine! Would like to see some recent photos of campus buildings, etc., as I haven't been there since the '60s. I have great memories of the sheep sheds, where I spent most of my time. I was editor of the Chippewa way back in 1962, when total enrollment was 5,000 and total yearly expenses (including spending money, as well as tuition, fees, housing, sorority) came to about a thousand dollars. Those were the days! Keep up the good work! Marianne Ferrante, '62 Farmington Hills, Mich. Detroit event was dream come true EDITOR: Thank you to the alumni association for sponsoring the alumni ice skating party at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. It was a dream come true for my brother and me to skate on the ice of so many famous NHL players. It is something I will treasure for the rest of my life! Ron Zemens, '99 Lenox, Mich. Write to us Centralight wants to hear from you! We welcome all letters from readers. Tell us your thoughts about Centralight content or about CMU in general. Include your full name, address and phone number. If an alumnus, also include degree and year of degree. Letters may be edited for space and clarity. WRITE Centralight Letters University Communications • West Hall Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 E-MAIL alumni@cmich.edu FAX 989-774-1098 Go online Visit Centralight online to see the extra features linked to some of our stories. Look for the to indicate an online bonus feature. Also, remember that the online version is a great way to share Centralight with friends and other alumni who may not receive it. Check it out at alumni.cmich.edu/centralight. Remembering Jim Podoley EDITOR: CMU lost a legend, and the sports world lost a gifted athlete when James Podoley, a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, passed away Jan. 25, 2010, at age 76 at his home in Annapolis, Md., after a brief battle with melanoma cancer. Jim, a 1957 graduate, was a two-sport standout at CMU who led the football team to a 32-4-1 record and scored 51 touchdowns, including six in one game during his college career. He was elected as an inaugural member of the CMU Hall of Fame in 1984. In track he averaged 21.4 points per meet in his four-year career. He was named MVP all four years and held fi ve diff erent CMU track records at one time, including briefl y a world record in the 220 low hurdles. Jim was a humble, special, caring and personable man. John Ghere, '58, who played on the "scrubs" squad said that when he was always on the bottom of the pile, Jim would ask, "John, are you OK? How are you doing?" Jim always had time for the little guy. Another example was relayed by one of Jim's track teammates, Bill Sowle, '55: "At meets, Jim would come 4 centralight summer '10 by to see how I was doing in the high jump. If I was winning, he would not enter, but if I was behind, he would enter and, of course, win. Jim was a team player." Following graduation, the Washington Redskins chose Jim in the fourth round of the 1957 draft. He was named to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season and also in 1959. He played for the Redskins from 1957 to 1960 and then was traded to the New York Giants and played with the Giants in 1961 and 1962. Injuries ended his career in 1962. Jim was a past president of the Redskins Alumni Association and was the prime mover in establishing the George Preston Marshall memorial outside Redskin Park. He was honored in 1978 for his service. In 1981, Jim was honored to be the CMU Homecoming grand marshal, leading the parade and crowning the homecoming queen at halftime of the football game. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Patricia, four children and their spouses, and nine grandchildren. Al Westrick, '58 Severna Park, Md.

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