TCNJ

46 The College of New Jersey Magazine TCNJ staff members try to verify the accuracy of the information collected for the Class Notes section of TCNJ Magazine; however, the college cannot be responsible for incorrect information contained herein. If you believe Class Notes has published inaccurate content, please contact the editor at magazine@tcnj.edu. Remembrances Theresa Martinac '72, MEd '73 Board member, TCNJ Foundation and Alumni Association As a member of both the TCNJ Foundation and Alumni Association boards, and with two endowed scholarships to her name, Terri Martinac was one of the college's most ardent supporters. "She was very passionate about the college," says James Gater '71, a close friend who served on the boards with her. "She participated on many of the committees and was a bubbly, enthusiastic person," he says. "Terri knew everybody, and everybody knew Terri," says another friend, Barbaranne DiMarco '68. "When I first got involved with the Alumni Association, I didn't know many people. But once I met Terri, she introduced me to everyone." Gater and DiMarco say Martinac had a keen sense of style, a commitment to TCNJ's music department, and a love for the Inner Harbor in Baltimore. But it is her good-natured humor that stands out. "For alumni events she loved to dress up as Vernetta Decker (a beloved English professor and dean of students in the 1920s and 30s)," says Gater. "And when she was dressed up, she never stepped out of character no matter what else was going on around her," says DiMarco. "I am really going to miss my playmate." — Kara Pothier Lee Harrod Professor of English emeritus Robert Altman Member, TCNJ Board of Trustees Bob had been one of my dearest friends for about 30 years, and we served on the board of trustees together. He had a passion for higher education and was a diligent trustee. He was interested in giving more students access to college and convincing the public that education is not just a private right, but that its value is a public good. He had a reputation for scouring the board materials, and he some- times would even edit them. When he had questions, he raised them with the cabinet members before the meeting to clarify issues, not just for himself, but to make sure that when the board made a decision, it was done with understanding. The thing that made Bob so special is that for Bob, friend was a verb. He really knew how to be supportive. On Christmas Eve, even though he was Jewish, he would dress up as Santa Claus and make visits to the homes of friends who had children or grandchildren. When my youngest grandson was about 6, after Santa left, he said, "Grammy, I think I know who Santa is." Bob will be missed. — Eleanor Horne, TCNJ Board of Trustees member Lee Harrod made his way from Wyoming to Nebraska to Penn State and came to us at Trenton State College in 1968. We, in the English department, learned quickly to respect his knowledge (especially of James Joyce), admire his style in the classroom, and enjoy his gregarious personality. He spent many years working with my theater company, Shakespeare '70. He played a variety of roles, but his forte was the fatherly, elder character. We loved him as Polonius (Hamlet), Adam (As You Like It), Leonato (Much Ado About Nothing) and, in his best non-Shakespeare part, Mr. Hardcastle, the beaming proprietor of Liberty Hall (She Stoops to Conquer). At our cast parties, fueled by his homemade plum pudding and a bottle of Guinness, he would sit at the piano and rouse the crowd with his version of "Hard-Hearted Hannah the Vamp of Savannah" to wild applause. He was an inspiring teacher, a skilled mentor, a devoted scholar, and a loyal friend. Ave atque vale! Hail and farewell, my friend. — John F. Erath, professor of English emeritus Class notes and Family Album photos are available only in the print edition. To submit your news and photos, visit alumni.tcnj.edu or write us at alumni@tcnj.edu.

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