Living in Blacker House, this alumnus witnessed a number of house antics. There were elaborate, ephemeral courtyard structures constructed for the annual Interhouse Dances, including a pirate ship, a beanstalk of giant proportions, and a Mississippi River showboat. Also indelibly imprinted in his memory is a second-floor dorm room that was transformed on Ditch Day into a beach with about a ton of sand.
This alumnus was a mechanical engineering major, but humanities courses were the ones he enjoyed most, and his favorite professor was Robert Sharp (BS ’34, MS ’35), chair of the then-Division of Geological Sciences. Outside of classes and studying, the alumnus spent hours taking pictures for the yearbook and developing them in the darkroom. (He took the photograph used for the cover of this issue of Techniques in November 1957.)
One of the most memorable events of his life occurred during his senior year. In February 1958, through its Leaders of America program, the Caltech Y invited Martin Luther King, Jr., to campus. The alumnus had the privilege of attending both speeches the civil rights leader delivered at Caltech.
After graduating, the alumnus worked in the Southern California aerospace industry. He currently enjoys retirement in Santa Clarita, where he edits the historical society’s newsletter. He has RECOGNIZE THIS ALUMNUS? remained connected with Caltech by participating in the alumni volunteer program, regularly attending the Earnest C. Watson Lecture Series, and visiting the campus for reunions and Seminar Days.
Over the years, Gordon Glattenberg (BS ’58) has given numerous gifts to his alma mater. He is grateful for receiving an outstanding education and his many fond memories. With his 60th reunion around the corner, he will serve as a role model, having already established a meaningful tribute by naming Caltech as a beneficiary in his will, thereby joining the Torchbearers of Caltech. “It’s a point of pride, having graduated from Caltech,” he says. “It was a grind, but for all that, it sure looked good on a résumé!”