THE'MICHIGAN DAILY Thursday; September 8, 1977 THE MICHIGAN DAiLY Thursday, September 8, 1977 Grads By DAVID KEEPS It's a little hard to believe., In 160 years, the University of Michigan's greatest claim to alumnal fame rests securely on the shoulders of one 1935 economics major, who waited on tables to put himself through school, and wisely turned' down the oppor- tunity to amble across the pro gridirons, only {to ascend through the political ranks to be-, come the first non-elected president to occupy the Oval Office. GERALD FORD, the Wolverines' Most Valu- able Player in 1934, and 38th President of the United States, surely occupies the uppermost position among the many celebrities who have attended the 'U'. And among his famed peers are racing car drivers, actors, authors and the occasional tough cookie who has called him and his political compatriots to the carpet. Like one Myron Wallace, a 1939 alumnus who entered cpllege with the idea of becoming an English teacher or a lawyer, but ended up an acerbic and highly acclaimed broadcaster- Mike Wallace-on CBS' 60 Minutes. In his four years here, Wallace's political experiences included a defeat in the class treasurer's election. He also made an acting debut on the Lydia Mendelssohn stage, valu- able experience no doubt, as he was later to star, simultaneously, as a breezy talk-show co- host and in "The Reclining Figure" on Broad- way. WALLACE'S BIG break came in 1956, when he hosted the controversy-provoking Night Beat, dubbed "Brow Beat," because of his tendency to submit guests to the third degree, which became a national hit, making Wallace as big a celebrity as any of his guests. Another celebrated video visage who claims Michigan as her alma mater is Ann Bradford Davis, '48, the zany and energetic actress/co- medicine who has endeared herself to two generations of tube viewers-in the Fifties as "Schultzy," the man-crazy secretary in "Thee Bob Cummings Show," and as the problem- solving pillar of strength domestic, Alice on "The Brady Bunch." Davis entered the University as a pre-med student, but switched over to the speech and dramatics department when she hit a snag in her studies. CHEMISTRY, she says, was her downfall. 'I was good in high school zoology and the sciences, but when I got to the University, oh, that chemistry!" But the Med School's loss was the stage's gain, and Ms. Davis, who was twice awarded Emmys for her work on the Cummings show, appeared in student productions of "I Remem- ber Mama" and "Of Thee I Sing," often re- turning to the area to perform in summer * stock in the late Fifties and early Sixties. The Mendelssohn Theatre floorboards also supported the formidable heavyweight talents 'U's claim to fame of the highly acclaimed black actor James Earl Jones, a 1953 graduate. "I'D ALWAYS been a frog in a small pond ... because I was a rural person . .. but the size of the University of Michigan gave me a sense of the scope of humanity," said the prestigious actor who was heralded for his portrayal of prizefighter Jack Johnson in The Great White Hope. Jones' desire to overcome a boyhood stutter led him into the theatre, and while at the University he performed in such plays as "Deep Are The Roots," before a short stint in the Army, further acting training in New York and, finally, a distinguished professional ca- reer on stage and screen. Other actors have had less lengthy tenures in the academic environment, and, among them, Jean Peters, a Twentieth Century Fox star- and the last wife of Howard Hughes, at- tended the University for her first term, only to switch, ironically, to Ohio State, where she was launched on her Hollywood career in a photo contest that was sponsored by Fox Studios. IN ADDITION to the accomplished actors on the alumni rolls, the University has the dis- tinction of graduating a Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, Arthur Miller, class of '38, whose credits include "The Crucible" and "The Death of A Salesman." While on campus, Mil- ler, who was initially rejected because of a substantial academic, record, kept busy by reporting for the Daily and winning two Hop- wood Awards. Gayle Green, a design student, foreign cor- respondent and Mademoiselle guest college edi- tor, as well as a Daily reporter, is coming into her own as a literary figure, with four books in print and a regular column in New York magazine. The celebrated restaurant critic, a 1955 graduate, also served as a fea- ture writer for the New York Post, and studied art at the Sorbonne. Another Daily reporter and editor to rise to a more controversial niche in the national limelight is political activist Thomas Hayden, class of '61, who organized the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). Arrested during the Chicago demonstrations in 1968, Hayden eventually saw his and the Chicago Seven's convictions overturned. Recently he made headlines in an unsuccessful bid for the Demo- cratic nomination to the post of U.S. Senator from California. THE UNIVERSITY has graduated locally famous Democrats, among them, a 1936 law school graduate, Gerhard M. Williams, better known as G. Mennen, or just plain "Soapy," has maintained an impressive political career in Michigan and as an international diplomat. Williams, famed for his green and white polka- dot ties, also served an unprecedented six terms.,as governor of Michigan and currently holds a seat on the Michigan Supreme Court. From politics to palettes, the 'U' has also unleashed a self-confessed "problem child" and celebrated cartoonist on the world-George Lichty, founder of Grin and Bear It. Maurice Lichtenstein, his name at birth, 'dr'opped out of the Chicago Institute of Art, enrolling at the University in 1925 and distinguishing himself as an acclaimed cartoonist with early work as art editor of the campus humor magazine, Gargoyle. Space freaks will be a bit surprised to find the following words: "I really don't like heights," attributed to 1959 engineering grad James A. McDivitt. McDivitt, who received a degree in aeronautics, is best known for his NASA activities which include commanding both the Gemini 4 and Apollo 9 Missions in 1965 and1969. THOUGH BEING a University of Michigan alumnus doesn't guarantee such unique travel opportunities in a later career, as McDivitt en- joyed, there is yet another distinguished alu- mnus who has drawn circles around the trans- portation world. Janet Guthrie, who earned a Bachelor of - Science degree. here in 1960, has captured national attention and garnered feminist sup- port for her two attempts in the prestigious Indianapolis 500." In 1976, she tried, unsuccessfully to become the first woman ever to compete in the speed- way event-an accomplishment achieved this past May, when Guthrie made the starting field and finished ahead of several racing veterans. Passing through town on a promotional ap- pearance recently, she commented on her aca- demic experiences at the University, "Yes there are a few good professors here-but. it is those teaching fellows you have to put up with." And then, perhaps purposely ironically she added, "I saw one of my English teaching fellows in Ypsilanti selling used cars." G. Mennan Williams, 36 Ann B. Davis, '48 Gayle Green, '55 Tom Hayden, '61 Photos from Michiganensian Archives University lif e circa 1938 J anet; Guthrie, 60 ,,. ,{ t - { Q. ( ' . ~~ i ' w a° M-AM Amb ANIL m m entertainment campus/community/ national coverage Sunday magazine TV guide sports/features/editorials T DISCOVER ANEW ;g uiI 1 morning delivery 6 days a week, Tues.-Sun. before 8 am. to your door or dorm FRIDAY, SEPT. 9 P &1 then call 764-0560