Mr. Wyman Returns
Reads, wrangles holiday.
Recent Anacapa Visiting Writer Willard Wyman has more appositives after his name (some “former,” others current) than a decent backcountry string has mules: wrangler, guide, and packer of over four decades in the Bob Marshall Wilderness of Montana and in the High Sierra, literature professor, dean of students (at Stanford University and Colby College), author, father and grandfather to a handful of Thacher alums and to one present senior. But to the School, one towers over all: Headmaster Emeritus of Thacher, the man who, beginning his service in 1975, helped usher in coeducation and whose passion for the wilderness re-energized the then flagging camping program.
On the night before Valentine’s Day, Mr. Wyman made a special trek--sans packstring--to campus to read from his recently published novel, Blue Heaven (University of Oklahoma Press), as well as from his debut novel, High Country, published in 2006. The latter was named "Best First Novel" by the Western Writers of America; it also won the Western Writers of America 2006 award for "Best Novel of the West." Mr. Wyman has also published in literary journals and magazines for several years.
The readings over, Mr. Wyman put his books aside to answer questions from students and guests. The final query came from one of Thacher’s beloved Old Guard, Dick Sheahan, former Director of Development, Director of Admission, and Business Manager, who, after a preamble of some length, asked why, with all his obvious sway, Mr. Wyman didn’t just go ahead and give “these obviously tuckered out students” a break from the academic grind?
Silence in the house, students completely hushed, wanting to believe what they were hearing, but not quite daring to hope for the traditional mid-term respite.
Then, from Mr. Wyman, turning to his successor, Head of School Michael Mulligan: “Mully, I don’t care what you say--it’s time for a holiday!”
A wild eruption of hoots, huzzahs, back-slapping, and yeehaws from the crowd, heard, no doubt all the way to Old Army Pass.
Add to that Wyman list: crowd-pleaser.
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