The Collegian

Issue date: 9/26/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Zack Farmer Alumni of the Integral Program gather for a group photo at the Soda Center Saturday, September 23 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the program.

One of the most unique majors in the country had its 50th anniversary jubilee this past Saturday; the Integral Program. Seminars in the morning and early afternoon, mass at 5 p.m., and then a dinner and remembrance at seven.

From inside jokes to familiar stories, Integral's 50th anniversary brought pride to those who were there at the beginning. Denis Kelly '60, a member of the first graduating Integral class, served as master of ceremonies for the event. "Integral is a way of life," Kelly said. "We're continuing the tradition."

The program has been held in a sort of suspended evolution since its creation by founder, recently deceased Brother Robert Smith. "[Brother] Robert opened a whole world for us," Kelly said. "It teaches you self-confidence. That's the real message of Integral. It gives you confidence, courage."

During his speech, President Brother Ron Gallagher, Integral class of 1969, jokingly made mention of a problem that faced Saint Mary's College in its inception and today. "Bishop [Joseph] Alemany invited the [Christian] Brothers to come because he didn't like what the Jesuits were doing at the University of San Francisco," said Gallagher. "I told you it's still an active issue."

Each of the near 150 alumni and current Integral students in attendance received a book called Integral Tales in which they had the opportunity to share their personal stories. Peter Peabody '70 recalled Integral professor Albert Dragstedt. "It was during my time that dear Albert, so the legend goes, streaked through Cal Berkeley on the weekend. I remember him coming to class one morning with his sunglasses askew (missing one of its arms) and his 'button-up sweater' buttoned from the inside out," Peabody said. "He had obviously taken it off the night before, over his head, and put it on again the next day the same way."

Another story came from Tim Cahill '72, a former sports editor for The Collegian, as he recalled the rivalry between Saint Mary's and Santa Clara. "My sole reporter had done her job and filed her articles and photographs. It was up to me to write an 'insightful' column. I tried to think of something and all that came to my numb and sleep-deprived brain was the futility and stupidity of war. I wrote quickly, mocking the football fans and calling them Yahoos," said Cahill. "Over the next few days I was pointed out and ridiculed. We were in a class by ourselves; a tiny college within a tiny college. What could you expect? The writer was from Integral!"

Continued...

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