John Mallinckrodt ’73

Retired professor of physics (Cal Poly Pomona), Second career musician

I’m one of the lucky ones to have spent my time as a student with Joe at the helm. I came back for the 1993-94 academic year as a visiting professor when Joe was “only” 78, still teaching lab sections, and patiently grading stacks of lab manuals each week. Although we did not cross paths often over the years, when we did he never failed to instantly recognize me and call me by name. I wish I had anything approaching that level of recall for students of mine from even ten years ago. For his modest manners, his easy smile, his constant belief in and support of HMC, and his stunning legacy, Joe will be missed and always fondly remembered.

Cliff Miller

Trustee

Joe was simply “one of a kind.” Perfect leader for the moment. No HMC as we know and love it today without Joe’s inspiration, feel, and strategic vision for the possible. I had the good fortune to know and work with and have fun with this delightful man from the beginning.

What a great ride!

Craig T. Byrnes ’88

Employment law attorney, Manhattan Beach, CA

Joe, it ain’t the money; it’s the principle of the thing. There’s things that money can’t buy. Thanks for the wonderful memories from an East Dorm alum.

Lorne Olfman

Professor, CGU

Joe was always supportive of the School of Information Systems and Technology. He understood the importance of our discipline and communicated it to others. His efforts helped us secure a $1 million gift from the Fletcher Jones Foundation. On a personal level, I enjoyed talking with Joe. His stories about his years at MIT were fascinating and I lived vicariously through them. I was lucky enough to rub shoulders with someone who was a great thinker and leader.

Anne Sontag Karch

Madison, WI

Growing up with Beth Platt Garrow, I got to sleep over at the Platts’ house on occasion, and it would be hard to say which is the more delightful memory: Joe serenading us to sleep with salty sea chanties, accompanied on his guitar, or Joe whipping up pancakes with apple slices inside the following morning. Such a great mind, and a big heart, too. Always a smile, often a twinkle in his eye, and that lovely low voice. 96 years and so many thousands of lives enriched.

Liz Orwin ’95

Assoc prof of engineering, HMC

I’ll never forget lining up outside of the registrar’s office the night before to make sure I got into Joe Platt’s section of E&M lab -and I’m so glad I did! He told us many stories of the history of HMC which helped me to see what a special place this really is. Joe was – and is – the heart of this place. I hope we, the current faculty, honor his memory in our passionate quest for a great educational experience.

Rachel Bittker ’93

Family physician, San Diego, CA

Thank you for all you did for HMC. And thank you for singing to us students!

Brian Rohrback ’74

President, Infometrix, Inc.

I remember the numerous occasions when Joe and Jean would open their home to students. It is clear that they both truly enjoyed every interaction and became our friends, not just administrators, teachers or mentors. Joe set the stage for all that Harvey Mudd is and will continue to be. Then again, he did introduce me to a passion for listening to Tom Lehrer songs, but everyone has to have a quirk 😉

Mack Gilkeson

Emeritus prof of engineering

From earliest memories (1961) Joe was fun to be around — at the swimming pool, in casual meetings in the halls or at coffee, and even in the late spring faculty meetings when he would inform us that financial prospects were again dim this year, which, of course, would affect salary raises.

Kevin Fairchild ’90

High school science teacher, San Diego, CA

Professor Platt had a profound effect on my future career. He was my advisor during freshman year, and after I failed multi-variable calculus first semester, he called me into his office and asked what the problem was. I told him I got the grade I deserved, because I didn’t understand a thing. He then spent about an hour explaining the concepts of divergence and curl using analogies from physics. A light bulb in my head clicked, and I got an A in repeating the class.

It was the first time I was aware of a teacher being able to adjust their teaching methods for an individual student’s learning style. I try to do that for my own students now, using whatever modalities or learning styles might be their strengths. I first saw that from Joe Platt.

As I was at Mudd longer, I learned about Dr. Platt as founding President and all his history with HMC and the Five Colleges. But for me, I will remember him simply as a great teacher.