Pryor Scrapbook Dr. Joe, 1986

Dr. Joseph E. Pryor February 27, 1986 Page 2 There were many joyous moments, however. The trip to Oklahoma City to proofread the book was fun because we traveled together, ate at elegant restaurants (unprecedented in my experience: I think I tasted my first lobster.), and from there I took my first ever plane flight to rendezvous with . the American Studies group who were on tour. The presentation of the 1961 Petit Jean to the student body was a real high for me. I was proud of the book; I was delighted that the dedication was to Charles Pitner, who was such a good math teacher he had made even me love his class; I was happy that my friends and Zeta Rho club sisters Georgie Claypool and Helen Howell -had been selected as the queens; I guess I was mostly glad the task was done, though I had a sense of loss about that too. It wasn't until the following fall, when I was a graduate student at the University of Texas and the class of 1961 was scattered all over, that the announcement came that "my" book had received the All– American rating. I wished for Dick, Harold, Janet, John, you and many others to be in Austin to celebrate with me. Ed and Shirley Hightower were there, however, and we had our own small gala. Throughout the entire process, Dr. Joe, your low-key but powerful leadership was directing and motivating us all. · You provided a stability and integrity and standard of excellence that permeated the Petit Jean office and staff and many other campus organizations, like Alpha Chi. I consider it a privilege and honor to have worked with you. I am grateful to the Petit Jean editors who have solicited and organized the materials for this scrapbook. I'm sure many of us want to thank you for influencing our lives in very personal and meaningful ways and specifically for helping us develop competence and self-confidence through the Petit Jean experience. With fondest regards, Joan Lyon Atkinson 1961 Petit Jean Editor