Page 28 - CH Winter17 Flipbook

THE CHRONICLE ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
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David G. Knight ’65
What has changed the most since you graduated in 1965?
Aside from technology, it would be the transition from all-male to co-ed. Girls / women generally raise the bar in matters ranging from scholarship to civility, which holds nothing but good for their XY classmates.
Was there an Augustinian priest who was a role model or mentor?
My former English teacher, Fr.
John Ga ney, was an interesting
fellow. Somewhat low-key and
not necessarily high-pro le, he
impressed me as one of the more
philosophical Augustinians I
encountered at Cascia, periodically
and unexpectedly dispensing
pearls of wisdom. I recall one day
he commented to our class, that “You are all more like your parents than you think.” A truly unnerving thing for a 17-year-old to hear, but he was almost certainly right.
What does Cascia mean to you personally?
In addition to a connect to my youth,
it’s exciting to see how Cascia has matured
in virtually every area. The school is rmly positioned as the Tulsa standard for edifying the mind, body, and spirit, and I’m pleased to have the opportunity through the Alumni Association to help maintain that level of excellence.
Would you recommend other alumni get more involved?
There’s no better place to hang with bright, interesting folks, most of whom have a healthy if not bizarre sense of humor. Please give Jane Easley in the Alumni O ce a call at 918.746.2641, and she’ll help you get started.
Do you have a funny short story from your Cascia days?
In my sophomore year, I had a classmate (Dick) who possessed an uncanny skill in mimicking the classroom intercom, including the accompanying static. For several days we had a somewhat
befuddled older gentleman as
a substitute teacher, who was
easily startled by the periodic announcements that came over
the speaker. One day, Dick cupped his hands over his mouth, and in a voluble, authoritative voice said “Mr. Jones (not his real name), could you please come to the O ce?”
Well, ‘Mr. Jones’ immediately excused himself and dutifully scurried down the hall. After several minutes, Fr. Don Harkabus, Disciplinarian, stormed into the room and read us
all the riot act. The whole class was deemed guilty by association and placed on detention study hall for a week. Apparently, that incident was the proverbial last straw for Mr. Jones, and the gentleman never returned to resume his substitute duties. Although there’s no excuse for boorish behavior, especially at another’s expense, I must admit I still chuckle when recalling. When are Confessions?
If you could o er some advice to the students at Cascia today, what would it be?
I’m the last person on the planet to o er advice to anyone on anything, but having said that, let me share a couple quotes that have been personally helpful:
Henry Ford: “If you think you can or cannot do something, you’re probably right.”
The other is from Thomas Edison, who when asked in a press conference to what he attributed all his success, he replied “All my failures.”
Go Commandos!
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