Marching Band Memories

I enjoyed the official magazine of OSU ... STATE ... and wanted to share some of my memories of the band program.

I was a member of the OSU Cowboy Marching band from 1971-1975 when "Prof" Paul Montemurro was director. (My uncle Ken Schuermann of Perry also played trombone with Max Mitchell's band when he went to OAMC).

Before each game we marched from the Seretean Center down Hester to the stadium and came in full force to the thrill of the crowd. I remember the fun of the pre-game show. After playing the national anthem and OSU Alma Mater, we would continue toward the south sideline playing the fight song of the opposing team. Deep underneath one could just hear the start of Ride 'em Cowboys. When we hit that south sideline we did a quick about-face and drowned out the other team's fight song with a fast run of Ride 'em Cowboys as we headed back to the student side of the stadium.

I had a fantastic time with the band program, and today as a junior high school librarian I encourage students to be in band. My oldest daughter considered attending OSU to play in the band, and now I have two daughters in high school, a trombone player and sax player, and it would be great if I could get at least one to play with the OSU band.

A couple of years ago I attended an OSU game and saw Dr. Hiram Henry. He was just like he used to be -- right there with the band.

Mary Beth (Ward) Hopkins, '75, secondary language arts education
Austin, Texas

Completing the Story

Dear STATE magazine,
You may wish to know that the unidentified man in the picture of Clay Potts ["Oklahoma's Barbecue King," August 2005] is Forest Little. He still has two sons in Stillwater, Carl and Richard. Forest was the university meat cutter for the dorms. He worked under Lowell Walters in supplying meat for the campus dining halls. It would be well to complete the story for the record.

Bob Henrickson
Retired, professor of food science
Stillwater, Okla.

Remembering Clay Potts

As the grandson of Clay Potts, I would like to thank, on behalf of my entire family, the staff of STATE magazine and the writer of the article on my grandfather for the very flattering article ["Oklahoma's Barbecue King," by David Peters, August 2005]. He truly had orange blood in his veins and passed the orange on to his lineage.

Ken Potts, '89 business
North Richland Hills, Texas

New Magazine Format

The magazine is very well done and very informative. The only thing I would suggest is to include articles about how the different OSU campuses cooperate/communicate with each other and how they help each other. I am just curious how this is managed. OSU is making some great strides in every direction. Keep it up. I am proud to be a Cowboy. I will be looking forward to receiving the STATE magazine in the future.

Joe A. Bardisbanian, '69, general business
Edmond, Okla.

Classnotes Connections

I just got my first issue of the new STATE magazine and wanted to write a quick note to say that it is truly first rate! From the format to the content, I was very impressed with the inaugural issue. I take great pride in being an OSU alum, and this magazine makes it simple and entertaining to keep up with all the great things going on at OSU. I do have a quick question. How can I make a submission to the class notes section of the magazine?

Thanks again and keep up the great work.

Go Pokes!

Mark R. Duffer, '87, B.S. and '88, M.S., mechanical engineering;
'92, M.S., industrial engineering
Cincinnati, Ohio

Editor's Note:
Classnotes information comes mostly from annual membership forms mailed to the OSU Alumni Association. But we welcome information anytime from current members, especially Lifetime Members. Information will be edited for length, clarity and style. Please include your year of graduation and your major. Please include your daytime telephone number, email address, city, state, degree and year of graduation. Send letters to 219 PIO Building, Stillwater, OK 74078 or email to editor@okstate.edu.