A Commencement Address for the Slackers

In summer 1986, my elder daughter, Brenda, had just finished her freshman year at the University of Iowa and decided that she really liked art history courses better than journalism. At the time, Donna Chase, a Pittsburgh friend of ours, had a major role as visual arts coordinator for downtown Pittsburgh’s annual outdoor extravagance in Point Park, the Three Rivers Arts Festival. Donna invited Brenda to serve an internship with her for the month of June, helping with the set up and wrap of the exhibit and serving as a go-fer during the 2-week run. While Brenda learned a lot about artists and the public’s perception of modern art, it was a nice excuse for my husband and me to spend a long weekend at the Oakland apartment on loan to her.

Meanwhile, the youngest son of my long-time Ingomar friend, Carolyn Kummer Gaus, was graduating from high school during our visit. Carolyn asked me to join her and her husband Don for the ceremony, which was held outdoors at the football field of North Allegheny Senior High School in Wexford. In 1977, NAHS eliminated the student speeches in favor of a newer tradition (perhaps my vapid 5 minutes had contributed to the decision but more likely it was the growing number of successful alumni). As the program stated, “It is a distinct privilege to select a commencement speaker from our many accomplished graduates. As former North Allegheny students, our speakers bring a unique relevance and authenticity to the program.” Already back in 1980, Bill Vestal had a return engagement as a commencement speaker as part of that new tradition. (Later, in 1991, Bob Beilstein, then a member of the North Allegheny school board, gave the address at his daughter Laurie's graduation).

Let’s Skip to the Chase…

Imagine my surprise, upon arriving at the ceremony, to find the Distinguished Alumni Commencement Speaker for 1986 was none other than an old friend from the Class of 1958, Dr. William K. Bauer AKA “Skippy.” He was last mentioned in this blog on May 24 (re favorite teachers, when he told of his brush with plagiarism and the life-altering counsel offered by Mr. Conway) in case you missed it.

After 1958, Bill had earned academic degrees from Slippery Rock, Chapman College, and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. Having begun his career as a teacher, he had gone on to hold administrative positions with the Community College of Allegheny County. The previous year (1985) he had been appointed President of the Community College of Beaver County. He was also the father of three NAHS students—Jay (Class of 1988), Ann (1989), and Ken (1990). But his presence alone wasn’t what made the evening memorable. He gave a commencement speech that I’ve never forgotten. It was perfect! After I called and congratulated him on it the following day, he kindly sent me a copy.

You see, my mother had a role in Bill’s career. I had come home in tears one spring day in 1958 because Bill had just received the letter from Slippery Rock rejecting his application. Mom believed this was a major blunder on some admission director’s part, and “the Mayor of Ingomar” (as she was affectionately known around our house) never hesitated about righting anything she perceived as an injustice. She immediately got on the phone to her friend Dr. Thomas Carson, N. Allegheny district’s supervising principal. Through some intervention on Dr. Carson’s part, Bill was allowed to take several summer courses at Slippery Rock with the understanding that if he passed them, he would be conditionally admitted for the fall term. Well, the rest is history; he actually finished his bachelor’s degree in three years. Although, by 1986, my mother had lost her sight and was in failing health at a nursing home near me in Iowa, she must have asked me dozens of times before she died to read Bill’s speech to her. She always smiled and laugh in the right places, too.

Please click on the underlined phrase to go and read Bill’s speech. I promise you, it’s a gem. Because it’s online as a Goggle Document, it may take a few seconds to download so please be patient.