Wheaton College Alumni Magazine Spring 2013 | Page 5

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Dr. Arthur Holmes ’50, M.A. ’52

The Day I Met Billy Graham
I enjoyed the article and the ISAE’s plan to
detail the life and legacy of Billy Graham ’43,
Litt.D. ’56. During my time at Wheaton, Dr.
Graham visited campus several times. I had
one personal encounter, and it makes evident
the kind of person Billy is.

Coach Jon Lederhouse ’74

When the Billy Graham Center opened, there
was a day of events planned. One event was a
reception in the lobby. I was on the service
crew, and just as the event was beginning, the
manager noticed something was overlooked.

Thanks, Coach Lederhouse

Introduction to Philosophy class, thinking,

He asked me to return to the kitchen to pick it

Reading the “His & Hers” article about

What in the world am I doing here? I had

up.

Jon ’74 and Jill Nerhus Lederhouse ’75

been raised in a small blue-collar town and

brought back some great memories. I

had little exposure to the arts, philosophy, or

the guests in the room, walked to the buffet,

was privileged to be part of Jon’s first team

music and was already beginning to wonder

and shook hands with each food service

in the fall of 1976. I had no competitive

about the wisdom of this education.

employee, thanking everyone.

swimming experience, but thanks to

Dr. Holmes leaned over his podium on that

Jon’s gracious and encouraging spirit, I

first day. He stared at us intently and spoke

was a member of the swim team for all of

As I returned, I casually eased behind a

slowly, deliberately, as if he were reading my

my years at Wheaton. I will never forget

While I was gone, Billy arrived. He passed by

mind. The words he said I will never forget. 

the day in late October 1976 when Jon

buffet table and caught a glimpse of Billy from

“The question is not what you will do with

stopped the workout and had me swim a

philosophy. The question is what philosophy will

100 breaststroke time trial with the entire

do with you. You will not be the same person.”

team cheering me on. I had been struggling

I left that class holding those words in my

for two months to make it through the

mind to this day, knowing that they spoke

workouts, but from that point on I was

not just to the value of that particular topic,

hooked! Jon ignited in me a passion

but to the value of the liberal arts education.

for competitive swimming that I am still

I thought of these words often while taking

pursuing. More importantly, his sincere

classes in art, music, science, and foreign

interest and encouragement helped my

language while at Wheaton. 

personal development immensely. I will

Wheaton’s commitment to a liberal arts

always be grateful to Jon for the impact he

education exposed me to topics and ideas

had on my life.

I never knew existed at that point in my life.

Peter J. Allen ’80

In our present age of specialization, I am

Neenah, Wisconsin

certain that the value of a liberal arts
education is even greater than it was on that

A Lifetime in the Liberal Arts

autumn day in 1972. I am thankful for

After reading about Wheaton’s Strategic

Wheaton’s giving me such a broad view of

Priorities and specifically the goal to

life through its liberal arts commitment—and

“Promote Liberal Arts Excellence” in the

particularly from faculty so committed to

last issue, my mind went back to my first

educating their students.

semester at Wheaton in the autumn of

Mike Stracco ’76

1972. I was sitting in Dr. Arthur Holmes’

Dr. Arthur Holmes ’50, M.A. ’52

St. Charles, Illinois

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