Going Down in History

Once again I find myself learning a great deal from what I read in the Montanan.

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UM history Professor Harry Fritz
UM history Professor Harry Fritz

Once again I find myself learning a great deal from what I read in the Montanan. I was pleased to see Sheila Stearns, wife of fellow Harlowton native Hal Stearns, is the new president. This bit of news apparently escaped The Washington Post. She will do a great job.

And I was especially interested in John Heaney’s article, “The Art of Humor,” about history Professor Harry Fritz. I was a freshman in 1967 and took an early course from Fritz, although I must say he was much more circumspect then. That memory brought to mind a class in Montana history in spring 1969 in which K. Ross Toole received a standing ovation from a mesmerized room of enthralled students.

I had the good fortune to reconnect with Professor Fritz when I served as the federal lead from 2003 to 2005 on the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial. It was a talented group of people who assembled for the Bicentennial, led by Stephen Ambrose, Ken Burns and Hal Stearns. By then, Fritz had definitely developed his individual style.

Keep up the good work.

Tom Fulton ’71, M.A. ’73, Alexandria, Virginia

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