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April 22, 1945 Germany
Stanford University Calif. Donald B. Tresidder, Pres.
Dear Sir -
Just recently your letter addressed to Stanford Alumni in Military Service reached me here in Germany. It arrived at rather an appropriate time as I had just been pondering some of the very questions on which you desired answers.
When you speak of Service Men returning to Stanford after the war I assume you speak for the most part, of those whose education was interrupted by the war or those who are recent graduates and wish to return and complete already planned graduate studies. Whether or not you would have many Alumnni returning to the Campus, who have graduated as far back as the Class of '39, I don't know. As for myself, I have been giving it some serious consideration in spite of the uncertainty of the war's duration and the million and one conditions which the returning Service Man is bound to come in contact with. Perhaps I can best answer your questions by letting you
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know what ideas I have on the subject.
First of all, the time I spent at Stanford was not wasted but unfortunately was not put to the best use simply because I was unaware of what I wanted to do for a living. After graduating and going in to merchandising and selling I decided that "Distribution" was the field I wanted to work in. By that time I was married and to have returned to the Stanford Business School for the Degree I wished I had already studied for, would have been almost a major change in my life. Consequently, the leap was never taken.
The war, however, has so disrupted my original plans that returning to civilian life will be nearly the same as starting out for the first time. My feelings on going to work immediately upon returning home are rather a mixture of, "I had better get started quick in order to make up for lost time," and, "I've wasted so many years on this war now that another year in preparation for something better will not be misused." Furthermore, most Service Men will admit the Services does little to "sharpen" one for his civilian occupation and perhaps
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a year to a year and one half of hard, practical study will help to polish off some of the habits which unfortunately are incompatible with with success in business.
Were I to return to Stanford it would be for the purpose of attending the School of Business, and in the course of a year or a year and one half, to acquire the training formerly given in the Two Year Course. The quality of the requirements and training should remain at former standards but should be streamlined and concentrated so that one who is there solely for the work can complete the course in the quickest amount of time. The regular Two Year Course could be given to those who wish to go through with the normal spread but for those who do not care to take any agreeable part in the extra-curricular activities, etc, should have the course of practical study which is devoid of all "lace and frills."
Were the opportunities available to take such a course of study at Stanford after the war, there is a good possibility I would take advantage of it. My discharge from the Army would leave
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in a position to do such a thing for the lost time. Though we sometimes allow ourselves over here to become optimistic over the war's end, there is really no way of knowing what we can plan for a year from now.
The recently published bulletin, "Educational Opportunities for Veteran," is one I would like to have. Could a copy be sent to me?
Sincerely Sgt. John C. Greenwood 39569130 Co. C., 89th Cml.Mortar Bn. APO 339 c/o Postmaster, NYC
