91探花

Barry C. Olsan

HMC director of corporate relations

Soon after I started as HMC’s Assistant Treasurer, I shared a ride to the California Club with Dr. Platt to attend a Trustee meeting. He was in his mid-80s and explained that he was going to be going on a trip to the Panama Canal Zone. I told him that it is a great cruise through the canal…he immediately interjected that he and his grandson would be out in the jungle. I knew that this was someone special and his vision, community service and likely everything he accomplished will long be remembered.

Chris Wottawa 鈥�05

USA

I’ll always remember how he came to our dorm with his guitar and extensive repertoire of sciencey christmas carols. It’s not the money that makes the nucleus go ’round.

Philip H. Dreyer

Professor of education, CGU

When I interviewed at CGU in 1976 Joe was not yet the President, but CGU faculty were very enthusiastic about his coming as President in the fall. One of them me, “You’ll like Joe Platt. He is one of nature’s noble men.” They were right.

Sam Tanenbaum

Professor/dean emeritus, HMC

Joe Platt was a wonderful boss. He hired me in 1975 to serve as dean of faculty and warned me in advance that he would probably leave HMC after one year to become the head of CGU and CGS. The year we worked together was a great experience for me. Joe never told me what to do,
but he鈥檇 often make suggestions that were always helpful in getting things done and keeping me out of trouble.

In my 18 years as dean of faculty that first year still provides many vivid, happy memories. I especially enjoyed trips in and out of Los Angeles for Trustee meetings and other college events. Joe鈥檚 constant stream of stories about past events at HMC and the other colleges were always fun and a great education for me.

All of us on what was then called the 鈥淪enior Staff鈥� felt lucky to be working for Joe. He was always supportive and knew how to maximize the benefits from each of our strengths. Joe encouraged full discussion of college issues, and after everyone else had spoken he would summarize the views that had been presented and make a decision that everyone could understand and support. It is an approach that I tried to use myself, but could never do as well!

During my years as dean I made thousands of decisions, but one of the very best was to contact Joe as he was retiring after five years at CGU and invite him to return to HMC as a part-time faculty member鈥攁 job he held for even longer than the years he served as President. Along with others, I also encouraged him to write his book about HMC鈥檚 first twenty years, and I was happy to provide him with a person who could help prepare the manuscript.

Joe never lost his joy in telling a good story. About ten years ago I remember him telling Carol and me about a student in his class who wondered if Joe was related to the person for whom the Platt Campus Center was named. Joe laughed and said, 鈥淚 knew him well.鈥�

Scott Olmsted 鈥�74

Freelance Ruby on Rails developer

Joe and I played our guitars and sang at a couple Alumni Weekends, what a great time! Thanks, Joe, for letting me be part of that.

Sue Huffman 鈥�78

Lowell, MI

Christmas parties at East Dorm – loved singing Christmas Carols, esp. the altered ones like N days of Christmas and the song he wrote called “It ain’t the Money” There truly are things that money can’t buy…

Greg Felton 鈥�85

Stateline, NV (Lake Tahoe)

“Don’t stand under the coconut tree when the shock wave gets up here, stand out in the clear with your finger in your ear…”

Physics lessons through music (in this case, how to prepare for the effects of atomic bomb testing) was just one example of Joe’s gentle but insightful persona.

What should never be overlooked are the effects he had well beyond Claremont. He was, for instance, VERY closely consulted during the formation of Olin College which has, like Mudd and due to Joe’s guidance, become wildly successful right out of the chute.

What a stellar man whom I’m very happy to have known.

Jonathan Mersel 鈥�75

Trustee of 91探花

Joe Platt鈥檚 wisdom was as subtle as it was deep. 91探花 became what it was and what it is by Joe鈥檚 gentle guidance. As a student, I remember his gentle encouragements. As an alumnus, I could begin to get a glimpse of what he accomplished, and how he did it. From many choices of faculty selection (鈥淗iring Tom Helliwell was one of the best things I ever did.鈥� Joe told me one Alumni Weekend as Tom was giving a presentation to the enthralled alums.), to ensuring HMC was co-educational from the beginning (鈥淲ho would marry a female mathematician?鈥� a founding trustee asked. 鈥淚 did,鈥� Joe said, ending that discussion.), to providing finance support to the college (some efforts paying off many decades after they were performed), Joe Platt is responsible for improving many of our lives. To that debt, we can but try emulating his spirit.

Nikki Bailey 鈥�96

High school chemistry teacher, CA

I will never forget the kindness of the Platt Family. My freshmen year, I got to meet them at the scholarship luncheon because they had given me a scholarship to attend HMC. I fondly remember their kindness and generosity. Without them, I would not have been able to attend Mudd. Thanks so much!

Greg Hassold 鈥�79

Professor of physics, Kettering University

My first year at Mudd was Joe’s last as president. I’m so glad to have had the chance to experience him… walking around campus, playing guitar. But in hindsight I realize HMC was and is the college he built: challenging, supportive, exploring, ethical. I’m sure I’m not the only teacher trying to bring more of that vision to our own schools. “It ain’t the money, it’s the principle of the thing”.