John McKniff '72
CMC Class of 72, Tuscon, AZ
I spent the Summer of 69 as the lifeguard at the HMC pool. I got the assignment because I was low man on the totem pole, and no one else wanted to be exiled to that distant lonely place. My first afternoon on the job, I opened the gate, took my seat on the tower and awaited the flood of happy swimmers that never really materialized. A couple of hours into the shift, Joe, Jean, and Beth Platt came through the gates and walked over to introduce themselves. As a 19 year old, I was appropriately impressed with the family’s appearance and bearing but was most impressed by Joe’s low key introduction which included his description of his position as “I’m the guy they asked to run the place”.
Over the course of the Summer I was privileged to enjoy the Platt’s company 5 to 6 days a week. The family were all serious swimmers and rarely missed their afternoon swim. Most every visit I would have the opportunity to interact with all of the family members, and quickly developed a respect for the strong bonds, intellect, and humor that characterized the Platt family. Later I would grow to appreciate the contribution that Joe and Jean jointly made to the development of HMC, but truthfully I could not be surprised based on the impression they made on me during that Summer. The picture of Joe and Jean together in the pool struck me as highly appropriate.
David Goodsell '62
Founding class member (but graduate of the class of '62). Admissions officer for HMC 1964 - 1968
Would that our nation’s leaders, of all parties, had Joe Platt’s intelligence, wisdom, compassion, and love for all mankind. Gentle yet firm, calm yet filled with the enthusiasm of discovery and adventure, kind and caring – I have never met another person more worthy of emulation. That may be the most profound realization I carried away from HMC.
George Wickes
HMC faculty, 1957-69; Professor of English Emeritus, University of Oregon
Joe Platt was the heart and soul of HMC from the very beginning, and his legacy continues to this day. His wisdom and judgment in planning the college and his thoughtful consideration for one and all created a college with a very special spirit. Then there was Joe himself with his fund of stories, his unfailing sense of humor, and his inexhaustible repertory of songs to enliven every social occasion. How wonderful that he was able to go on teaching into his 90s. I cherish the picture of Joe on his 90th birthday, about to strum his guitar and smiling uproariously at Jean.
Bill Haddon '64
On a Friday noon my Sr.year (1963/4) while returning to my East dorm room from an 11:00 class a very concerned group of undergrads shouted to me “the president’s been shot”…My first and immediate thought: Impossible! No one would ever shoot Joe Platt. To us he was the one and only President. The date was Friday Nov. 23, 1963
Don Gross '61
“It ain’t the money,
It’s the principle of the thing,
It ain’t the money,
There’s things that money can’t buy.
It ain’t the money
That makes the nucleus go round
It’s the philosophical ethical principle of the thing.”