As one of the first groups of Union students to spend a term in Rennes (1970), I was glad to see a story about the 35th anniversary in the latest magazine. I had a great time while I was there. I learned a great deal about the language and culture, stayed with a really nice family, made some good friends and got the opportunity to travel during and at the end of our stay.
I was disappointed, however, not to see any mention of the professor who led the original group-Professor Alan Roberts. It was Prof. Roberts who did the groundwork of setting up the host families, the instructional program, the logistics and all the details that made the trip so successful and memorable. Prof. Roberts was a quirky but memorable teacher who worked very hard to make sure everyone was safe, well-cared for and getting the most out of the experience. He even had a second group of Union students staying a few hours away, in Angiers, who required his attention at the same time.
Though the Rennes program has had such a long history of success, it would be a shame to overlook the guy who got it off the ground.
Robert Mikulak
Class of 1972
Asheville, N.C.