*
I feel bad that I took
this much time to write a note on Dr. Ryerson.
I apologize—to myself.
I can’t claim that Dr.
Ryerson and I were friends. I can’t even say we knew each other very well. But,
I can say I first met with him in the early 90’s at Prof. EJ’s residence when
EJ was the Warden of Washburn Hall and I a Superintendent. I found Dr. Ryerson as
a person indeed very friendly, informal but cultivated, and with an ability to be very humorous and very
serious at once. I had interacted with
him a few times thereafter.
Then, I, as a Faculty
Representative on the Governing Council, wrote to him in October 2007 voicing apprehensions
over the proposed ‘constitutional amendments’ that the then management was
working on. As I tried to draw his attention to the “open ended character” of certain
clauses in the draft proposal “with
strong manipulative potential”, Dr.Ryerson sounded concerned—as I understood—but
was apparently slow to articulate
his views on that.
He pointed out that the Trustees no longer had
their representative on our Governing Council. And, after answering my query
about the so-called memorandum between Dr. Thangaraj and the Trustees regarding
a similar clause—sorry if I sound cryptic—he added that the Trustees could not micromanage
the affairs of the college that was continents away from their place.
Think Dr. Ryerson was ailing even then; but he knew everything
was not too well in Madurai.
2008 started with ominous
signs around and the American College problem erupted on April 12—interestingly
the same date as the American Civil War broke out.
I’m unable to add
anything new to the well written obituary from Prof.V.Srinivasan. I can only recall with reverence and
gratitude how deeply Dr.Ryerson loved the college and how committed and
consistent he was in protecting its interests. I have read several times the letters
written by Dr. Ryerson, Dr. Reisz, and Dr. Carl Jacabson respectively as those writings
always inspire and urge us in such a way that we rededicate ourselves to the
task of defending this great institution.
We will miss Dr. Charles
Ryerson.
May his soul rest in
peace.
*
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