The Letters: Correspondence to Forrest Moore 1949-61

The very first letter in the file contains fourteen stamps that the alum sends for Forrest’s collection. The accompanying letter – sent from Turkey – indicates the exchange is merely one of many as they note: “Since I have collected quite a few from our correspondence, I am enclosing some for you.” These stamps from 1956 remain in the file, having been saved all these years. Being in relationship with one another is a theme present throughout the file.

In another exchange, staff writes back after receiving a letter from a returned student in Norway on July 10, 1950 (perhaps the long-hand draft was kept in the file, and the typed letter was mailed):

“You know …, one of my most pleasant memories from my job here (you have gathered by now that I am back working for Mr. Moore¹ again) was that little lunch of sandwiches and pickles we had upon the fourth floor of the building just before you and Gunnar left for the summer. Remember? We miss all of you. Write to us again when you get time, will you? Mr. Moore is as busy as ever, doing good deeds for everyone and picking on me, as usual.”

The sentimentalities in the letters shouldn’t be overlooked as they aren’t mere pleasantries, but rather indicate engagement and the development of meaningful relationships with one another. Dr. Forrest Moore and his staff demonstrated a way of working with those across the globe that created deep connections, care, and interest in one another. They knew each other’s families and co-workers, joked with each other, and engaged in lighthearted banter that comes from having spent time together. There are requests to send greetings to others—named faculty and staff—as they reach out across vast oceans they’ve traveled by ship and not airways.

One letter exhibits this deep connection right at the beginning. An alum who returned to Berlin begins writing on August 22, 1952, by describing the office staff with such familiarity that you can feel them walking through the office:

“In my mind I am frequently joining you. Entering the office I see to the left Mary Jane, to the right—always busy—the ‘boss,’ next door the place of Ilse and later on Joe. How is the team getting along today?”

A December 12, 1956, letter from Vienna indicates that the alum trusted that the staff remembered him fondly and would continue to be remembered:

“Let me thank you once more for your letter and please remember me to those members of your staff who still remember the boy from Vienna who wanted to hitchhike to Mexico City over X-mas.”

There is also an explicit desire to keep the connections going as is clear in this March 29, 1951, letter from Taiwan/Formosa:

“During the three years of my stay at the University of Minn I’ve enjoyed a lot of your assistance and the friendship of the institution that has open-wide its door of advantage to foreign students. It’s hoped that we’ll not break the connection in the future.”

Keep in mind that the office was fairly newly formed, as Dr. Forrest Moore became the university’s first full time international student advisor in 1946 after several faculty served in the role on a part-time basis. In a short time, Forrest and the staff made a significant impact in the lives of international students and scholars. 

¹ Forrest Moore had not yet earned his Ph.D. and thus, in 1950, he would have been “Mr. Moore.” His full name is Forrest Gurney “Frosty” Moore.

History comes alive in these letters when several writers describe the circumstances of rapidly changing times and uncertainties about the global shifts in power. Today, we know the outcomes of many of these situations while for others, they are still unfolding. These letters describe such changes all across the globe.

A handwritten letter received in 1951 describes an alum’s return to Hong Kong and their desire to relocate their family from the People’s Republic of China to Formosa (Taiwan)  via Hong Kong (a British colony at the time). Concerned about the “strict censorship throughout the communist controlled area” they seek to take their chances with a move from which they won’t likely return. They write of Formosa being relatively poor in natural resources but that “food production is tremendous” and explain the expansion of fertilizing. They also note that they are not yet able to make giant steps forward for public health communication.

Similar changes and concerns were echoed a year later from Germany. In late August 1952, a returnee to Berlin describes that taking a vacation is important if you live in Berlin due to the isolation and restricted travel, drawing attention to a looming cutoff that we know of today as the Berlin wall:

“I had just returned from two weeks vacation on the farm of friends of mine, close to Hannover. It is good to have at least two weeks a year a change of scenery if you have to live in Berlin. Especially in summer you can get made here, as this island is completely cut off from its surroundings, and people have just very few places to go for recreation. But we bear this all seeing what life is like in the ‘neighborhood’, the Russian Zone. That is a difference like day and night. You never stop hoping and so people in Berlin go on looking though there is no way evident that it could happen somehow. As East-and West-Berlin are not yet separated—as far as traffic and street connection go—people from the Russian zone still can drop into West Berlin: via East Berlin. It is expected that the Soviets will cut off any connection of East and West-Berlin and thus isolate West-Berlin completely. This would make it impossible for people in the Eastern Zone to flee furthermore to the West and thus more than 1000 persons reach Berlin each day and ask for acceptance as refugees. They leave at home all their property (which will be requisitioned by the Eastern police) and usually do not own more than what they can wear. You can imagine our city officials have their problems.”

We know now that barbed wire and concrete were used to construct a wall the night of August 13,1961. When the letter was written, there was a flow of people and movement across the border and no way to know a wall would become a complete barrier for more than eighteen years. While many predicted it would come—including this returnee—the future wasn’t known. These letters help us reflect on and  understand turning points in political movements and their impact on the everyday experiences of the citizens.

Other returnees from Germany note in 1952 to Forrest:

“Really, you should see Munich right now. American soldiers wherever you step. If I stop to think about it, I really feel on a “western outpost…. I wish I had time to tell you about a number of interesting things around here, like Germany’s contribution to Western defense (and the endless discussions), the day of the ratification of the Schuman Plan, the visit of Senator Benton and his utterings at the press conference, the visit of Mrs. Edith Sampson, Alternate Delegate of the 5th General Assembly of the UN and her utterings at her Munich press conference.”

These students and scholars returned to communities where governments were being created and economic policies written. In the case of one returnee to Turkey, they also note the writing of a new constitution in 1961:

“During all winter and spring old friends {names friends} worked hard to elaborate the new Constitution. The new Constitution brings as innovation a two chamber system, a constitutional court, many autonomous bodies such as the broadcasting agency, the universities as well as a very detailed catalog of individual rights and liberties.”

Change was felt far across the world, as well, as noted in December 1961 by Forrest’s colleague working in Korea. They describe military control bringing about many changes including the discontinuation of several private colleges. The colleague also points out the multifaceted nature of life – a reality we can all relate to: “We also have good laughs and enjoy our students and teachers and workers.”

While tensions in some of the parts of the world mentioned above have decreased, such as with the fall of the wall and the integration of East and West Germany, other areas continue to have the world watching with concern. An alum with an M.A. and Ph.D. wrote in 1961 from northern India that “We are very close to China border—much concern about development there.” News from this region indicates that distrust and fighting continues. 

The fact that these returnees stayed in communication with the international advising team suggests they had a strong affiliation with the staff and perhaps with the University of Minnesota as a whole. It’s not surprising then that they speak of the impact of being in the United States and at the University of Minnesota in a variety of ways, including the jobs they were able to obtain and the bonds they have with fellow returnees.

From Munich in 1951, a returnee describes how the way they do their work was impacted by their time in the United States:

“My wife is working with an American Auto Insurance Company and has her office at an Air Base about 10 Miles out of town. I am working as an Personnel Technician with the “European Exchange System.” As an old soldier you know what it is. I like my job very much and it is a great satisfaction for me that I can already apply knowledges I accumulated during my stay in the States. We are working on a strict American business scale and since 95% of our employees are Germans they have a very good chance to see and learn the American way of doing things.” (The letter goes on to indicate that some German firms “don’t like this.”)

In addition to sharing information about jobs and the political context, the alums also speak of the impact of their experiences and meeting with fellow returnees. From The Netherlands we hear: “My study in America has helped me a great deal, and many times I think back on the time of the University, and all the things I learned.”  From Berlin we hear: “Last week I attended a meeting of the “Returnees” (Students which studied in the States). This group is planning on building an organization with a certain number of members.” The alum details four goals, including the desire to have the time in the U.S. counted for one’s studies by the Teachers Association and German Universities. Unfortunately, this change has yet to be realized. The alum in Oslo echoes this interest in connecting with others who had similar experiences: “I spend lots of time with other Minnesota boys being in Oslo.”

Returnees describe a wide range of post-U.S. activities from political involvement to additional travels to sharing about their experiences. One alum from India who writes from Toronto notes:

“Besides being a foreign student I’m asked to speak on India several times—it takes time to prepare the talks. I’m going to be kept busy during the holidays preparing a talk on Problems of Population expansion in India and its control.”

This level of post-study engagement is perhaps not surprising as these students chose to study in another country when very few students pursued this pathway. They may have stood out in leadership qualities and civic engagement given their willingness to venture far from home for their studies—something few did at the time. During the 1950s just 1% of university students were international students according to the Migration Policy Institute.  And, they also articulate the ups and downs – and adaptability – of studying outside of one’s home country:  “At first it was difficult to get used to everything, and I have been very unhappy and homesick for America for a few weeks. But by now I am happy again” (alum from Norway).

The letters also speak to the impact of America’s military presence throughout the globe with first hand accounts noted throughout this article. A returnee to Burma (Myanmar) comments on both a military and missionary presence: “There is quite a large group of Americans here in Burma. Many are only on two years tours, but some extend and have four years and others such as the different missionaries are here for longer stays.”

In the files, there is a five page correspondence with three writers. This might be a “you have to see it to believe it” archive. The uniqueness of Forrest himself shines through in what is a very memorable letter. On the “Office of the Dean of Students” letterhead, this January 24, 1952, letter was addressed to Munich. Why is the letter in the file? Forrest had designed a form letter that was returned with detailed notes in red from one alum and penciled notes from another who calls themselves the “black sheep.” The letter begins: “You are hereby disowned! No letters for a long time. I have decided to make it very simple for you to write us a letter. All you do is check in the proper squares. You know, sort of an objective letter, like this:

• I am fine
• I am sick with pneumonia
• I feel swell on sunlit days
• None of your business
• I’ve got the blues

Both checked fine, with the “black sheep” also selecting sunlit days and I’ve got the blues—with a note “at times (non-sunlit days).”

The letter continues with other fill-in options to address Forrest’s questions of “I haven’t written because,” “My job is,” and “I wish that.” The two returnees, who appear to be friends, not only completed the form letter, but they also included three pages of cursive text describing in detail how things were going in their lives.

The salutation reads: “Many, many, many regards and good wishes for 302 Eddy Hall.”

It’s a joy to find such an exchange between an advisor and their students and to see the investment in writing and cajoling a response that certainly seems to be appreciated as evidenced by the length of the return letter. Forrest Moore and his team fostered an enviable connection that was able to remain steady across countless miles and many years.

Forrest is also credited with providing helpful advice, including this specific mention of career advice: “It was very kind of you to make the valuable suggestion that I should engage in teaching after returning to China in order to be able to return to the United States for further study and research.” Returnee in Taipei.

Many of the letters are filled with both questions and responses to questions, again indicating a familiarity with one another and a hope for an on-going conversation through letters. There are also references to specific experiences while the writers were in Minnesota, for example, one letter from Austria notes in 1956 that they “remember well the interview I had with you and how you asked me about the plan I followed in my daily routine of studies” when Forrest was conducting research related to his dissertation. NAFSA itself noted Forrest’s dedication to alumni when publishing in memoriam in 2011, that he “worked during his career to cultivate long-term relationships with graduates who returned to their home countries or pursued multinational careers” (p.16).

Forrest was a national leader in international education with the founding of the National Association for Foreign Student Advisors (NAFSA) and a leader at the University of Minnesota with his responsibilities for international students and scholars. And he did so with a humanity that is a model for us all.  

From an alumni and staff perspective, what might the significance of these letters be beyond understanding this twelve-year period and these specific alum? These letters are relevant today for many reasons. The first is they give voice to a holistic, student-centered approach—the importance of having taken the time to establish relationships and to know one another and to foster this value in one’s staff. The second is how the letters shine light on specific hot spots that arise within a country and across borders and how the uncertainties hang in the air. Some of these crises are resolved and some remain with us for decades. In this way, the letters remind us that we need to be aware of events both locally and internationally to anticipate how they are interrelated and to be informed global citizens. The third is a hope that reading this overview –  and ideally the letters themselves – would draw renewed interest in researching and documenting the benefits international students and scholars gain from their studies and experiences in the United States and also the benefits that the universities and their communities gain.

The returnees traveled often by ship to homes that were deeply impacted by war, militarization, and government changes. And the letters still have a lightness, a connection, and interest in one another across a country’s borders. The letters are a physical reminder of the fundamental power of leaving one’s home, immersing oneself in new approaches, and then returning home with a spirit of integrating the worlds encountered.