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March 29, 2005
Editorial
The most recent issue of the Hamline magazine described President Larry Osnes and his wife Sue as a “dynamic duo” and featured several letters commending his tenure. Though they are truly such a duo, it is Larry who deserves most to be praised here.
We should mention first that were proud to see that so many white male Board of Trustee members, alumni from other schools, and former Hamline students with little knowledge of Osnes left such warm words of praise. These words further validate the warmth we feel inside of us for him. We were prouder to recently learn that this man will continue his legacy of the “golden years” on campus for another four years.
We liken Osnes’ return to a near-death experience. He was nearly gone, and then he came back to us.
And in this circumstance, we then discover 1) How important such a man is to us, and 2) How we should value the limited time we have with him.
It is not enough that Osnes’ name is emblazoned on the Klas Center steps. It is not enough that his name be attached to a student leadership society, and it is certainly not enough that his name was given to a copier in the Bush Library basement.
Osnes, thy name should spring from every campus orifice.
This man built buildings. He raised endless amounts of money. He held dinners. For that, he deserves to be immortalized. Like the great founding forefathers of this nation, especially Thomas Jefferson, Osnes has achieved greatness, and rewarding greatness requires unique thought and creativity.
For this true immortalization to occur, we propose the following: retiring the aging statue of Bishop Leonidas Hamline and replacing it with the man who has best personified the ideals of the “New
American University” - Larry G. Osnes.
Osnes’ statue will stand proudly before all who pass him, preaching, silently asking students to “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” The statute shall be encased in pure gold, the same substance Osnes’ heart is constructed of.
And four years from now, we will await your triumphant third return, this time as president emeritus.
Posted by msveum at March 29, 2005 01:28 PM
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