[This page built early in 2000. Mr. Guthrie graduated to a higher world March 23, 2001. See Memorials page for details.]
Glenn T. Guthrie Scholarship Awards
Thirty eight BSHS Alumni donated money during 1999 to make possible three scholarships, each for $1,200, to three outstanding mathematics graduates. Sixteen students in the Calculus class, the most advanced math class, had grade averages overall of 3.36 to 4.0. Choosing was hard from this field of graduates. The three chosen seemed best to fit the requirement that they would pursue professions in which their math skills would be most required.
The three recipients chosen were Thomas Garza, Keely Patterson, and Drew McKimmey.
Tributes sent in by
emails:
Tribute
by Lane Bond '52
Bud
Whitney '52
Jim
Conley '52
Ray
Weathers '55
James
Nuckels '51
Logan
Boles '57
Don
Anderson '57
Ray
Aubrey '58
Kathleen
Thomas Grimes '59
Daury
Garrison Cockrell '54
Joe
Mize '51
Etha
(Oliver) Overton '56
A.
G. (Jerry) Rogers '52
Pat
Loudamy Low '63
Several wonderful letters were also sent in by US Mail, but they are not available digitally.
Donors
to the G. T. Guthrie Scholarship Fund
[as of the day before the presentation]
Mary Jane Collins Armistead 1952
Sally Baber Bean 1952
William R Bluhm 1957
Logan Boles 1957
Janice Boardman Bond 1953
Lane Bond 1952
Donald Clanton 1963
Daury Garrison Cockrell 1954
Jim Conley 1952
Wilbur Cunningham 1954
Bill French 1959
Delmar Hartin 1952
Oakey Hagood 1953
Jerry Hayes 1953
Justin Allen Holmes 1951
Freda Bond Hoover [Coahoma High] 1940
Franklin Hunt 1953
Tommie Williamson Hunt 1956
John E. Kinney 1959
Steve Kornfeld 1953
Wyatt Lancaster 1950
Robert Leach 1958
Jack Little 1951
Dickie Milam 1956
Joyce Horn Milam 1956
Jacque Jones Mauch 1966
Kelsey Meek 1958
Myrna Talley Moore 1953
Lewis Porter 1957
David Rhoton 1954
A.G. "Jerry" Rogers 1952
Ron Sanders 1952
Howard K. Smith 1953
L. Chapman Smith 1962
L. D. Spradling 1961
Charles Warren 1951
Ray Weathers 1955
Lane
Bond '52
lane@bondwebs.com
(comments by Lane, Jim, and Bud were circulated as printed
to publicize the fund)
April 28, 1999
Glenn Thomson Guthrie [1927] is a walking definition of the term "teacher". My wish to honor him reminds me of many other wonderful teachers who have touched my life, but none more so than he.
Glenn and his wife Sarah live at the Carriage Inn, an assisted care home in Big Spring, Texas, near where he was born and where he spent almost all of his life. The two are very active in the parlor games and general life of the Inn residents, and I am sure he is teaching everyone there how to play each game, whether they ask him or not.
Last winter, my wife (the former Janice Boardman [1953]) and I, chanced to meet Mr. Guthrie in the lobby while visiting with someone else at the Carriage Inn. We had a short visit, which rekindled our interest in him, and reminded us both of the days when both of us were his students. The next day I emailed Bud Whitney [1952] and Jim Conley [1952] to tell them of the visit, and shared my respect and appreciation for our former teacher. Bud immediately answered, expressing his appreciation for what Mr. Guthrie's teaching had meant to him through life, and suggested that we give him a gift to thank him. Janice suggested that a scholarship to a current math student in his honor would be better than a gift. Jim agreed, and both Jim and Bud soon sent checks of $500 each to start the scholarship fund. This fund is now in an account at the Big Spring Education Employees Federal Credit Union.
The scholarship will be presented at the Senior Awards Assembly at the high school on May 20, 1999. The high school counselors are working with us to select the most outstanding math student of the 1999 Senior Class. The money will be paid to the college or university of that student's choice, when he or she has enrolled in a program that involves a substantial use of mathematics in its curriculum.
Jim, Bud, and I shared three full school years of math under Mr. Guthrie before our graduation in 1952. Our first day in Mr. Guthrie's math class was his first day to teach in Big Spring. I will write more of this below. Janice was in the class behind us, and she had him for one year. We would like to hear from others who shared that journey, for we cannot recall who else was in the classes.
Glenn Guthrie was born Aug 3, 1909, on a farm three miles north of Coahoma, Texas (which is ten miles East of Big Spring), the youngest of three brothers. He was given the middle name of Thomson, which was his Mother's maiden name. He lived on this farm while he attended Coahoma Elementary School, and while he commuted to Big Spring (before Coahoma had a high school), where he graduated from Big Spring High School in the Class of 1927. This farm is still owned by the Guthrie family, and Glenn, who will be 90 in August, was making repairs on it as late as three years ago.
He moved to Austin to go to the University of Texas, where he received his bachelor's degree in 1932, and later, his master's degree in 1948. During his first stay in Austin, he met Sarah Malloy of Tyler, Texas, whom he married on May 24, 1936.
The Guthries have one child, who graduated from Big Spring High School in the Class of 1958. She is Betty (Guthrie) Lee, who still lives in Big Spring, and who was very helpful in giving me this background on the lives of her parents.
Mr. Guthrie began his teaching at Coahoma High School in 1934. He was hired by George Boswell, the districts' superintendent, whose wife was later my second grade teacher. While there he taught my four older siblings, Earl, Freda, Hollis, and Jerry. In 1946, Glenn went to San Angelo Junior College to teach mechanical drawing for two years. He returned to Coahoma in 1948 to care for his ailing father, but after a few months moved to Big Spring to begin teaching math at the high school there. This was 1949, when Bud, Jim, and I signed up for sophomore algebra with him.
Mr. Guthrie retired in the spring of 1971, after thirty-six years of teaching, twenty-two of which were at Big Spring. He was inducted into the Big Spring High School Hall of Fame in 1978, along with Agnes Curry, Erma Wooten Steward, Lillian Shick Dawson, and Rita Debenport Weeg, all of whom also deserve high honor for their service to students.
I began by saying that Glenn Guthrie was the walking definition of the term "teacher". This is specifically, "math teacher". His daughter Betty says that to this day, he eats a piece of toast by taking equal bites off each of the four forners in turn until the whole piece is gone. Who but a math teacher is so dedicated to his principles as this?
Bud Whitney '52
budwhitney@hotmail.com
Yes, I can also understand that GG wasn't universally
popular. He was a bit impatient and acerbic sometimes, but I
also thought he displayed a dry humor at times. He wasn't
universally popular but I am guessing there are a
significant number who agree with us that he made a
significant contribution to our lives after high school that
we later appreciated.
My only additional thought is that what made GG an outstanding teacher was his ability to clearly explain the concepts of logic and how using the methods he explained led to answers that we could understand. As Jim told me recently, there was a spark that Glenn was able to ignite by exposing us to some basic mathematical disciplines that were within our grasp.
-- Bud Whitney
I have been thinking about Mr. Guthrie and what I found most valuable about his presence in my life. I think it comes down to how my experiences with him influenced the way I taught my own students [Jim taught physics at San Francisco Community College for 25 years].
He was not an inspirational sort of guy.. Most of my students, and certainly I in Big Spring in 1949, were, at best, embryonic intellectuals. We needed someone who would teach us not only the subject, but also methods of study, discipline, good habits and other tools of the learning trade. Some people love to have god-like instructors they can admire. I prefer one that focuses on the issues of learning and craft and does not care if he is overly admired for the wonderful human being he is. Guthrie was like that, I think.
And there is also the fact that he was the
first person to introduce me to LOGIC. It was such a thrill
to be able to reason your way to a proof of something! That
is a rare event in ordinary life, given all the complicating
side issues. But once bitten, you always appreciate the bite
of a logical argument and a clearly thought out plan. To my
mind, Mr. Guthrie did his job and did it well. He helped
young people develop skills and habits that would prove
useful all their lives. He did this without turning
attention to himself, but focusing on the subject of
mathematics. In the parlance of today, he was quite a role
model. -- Jim Conley
.About the Scholarship Project
Although this began as a gesture from Bud, Jim, Janice and me, we decided to open it up to others who might want to contribute. Our best idea for spreading the word was to send letters. We have restricted this to graduates during his first few years at Big Spring because of the cost of printing and postage. Janice and I are paying this cost as our contribution to the project. All of the money given for the scholarship will be put into the scholarship itself, unless someone designates money for a wider distribution. Contributions are welcome in any amount from a dollar up.
Ray
Weathers '55
rrw@htcomp.net
Hi, guys,
I was glad to get the info about G.T. "Good Times"
Guthrie. I was talking
about him just a few days ago.
Some of us were talking about our school days and some of
our teachers. I
told my friends about how Guthrie would "whap"
somebody at the back of the
room with a piece of chalk or an eraser when they were
caught talking or
sleeping (HOW?). Another incident had to do with a
girl who filled her
fountain pen from the ink bottle on his desk. The poor
girl was a bit
overweight and very self conscious about being in front of
the class. After
she filled the pen, GTG said, "I'll bet you didn't get
four drops of ink in
that pen, did you? Go back up and count the
drops." Of course she only
wanted to get back to her desk and disappear. But, he
wouldn't let her.
So, he said, "I mean it. Go back up and count the
drops." She did, all the
time turning deeper shades of red. Oh, yes. She
had gotten FIVE drops
instead of four. As I recall that was the last time
she ever filled her pen
in his class room.
I am sending you a check for $10 for the Scholarship.
I wish it could be
for more, but I just can't do it right now. I have no
idea if GTG would
remember me. Of course, since I was the only student
on braces and
crutches, I am usually remembered for that if nothing else.
James
Nuckels '51
email no longer works
Lane and Janice, thanks for letting me
know about the math scholarship in honor
of G.T. Guthrie. (I still remember the day the earth
stood still when Russell
Green addressed him as "GT" in class.)
The scholarship is a fitting honor for this fine teacher.
As all of my money now goes to Baylor (daughter) and SMU
(son), all I can give
is my support to the project.
Good to hear from you. Regards,
James Nuckels
Logan
Boles '57
theboles@pacbell.net
Logan wrote one to BSHS and another
for Mr. Guthrie
(to the school)
Lane, et al- Thank
you all for starting this fund to honor G. T. Guthrie. (The
class of '57 sometimes called him G. T. "Goose
Tatum" Guthrie--among ourselves--those were respectful
times, and we respected Mr. Guthrie!).
The easy part will be for me to
write a small check to add to the fund. The hard part will
be to try to find the words to express the profound effect
Mr. Guthrie had on my life!
Looking in my Texas Tech graduation year
book, LA VENTANA for 1961, four of Mr. Guthrie's students
from the BSHS class of 1957 are among the 36 total members
of the engineering honor society, Tau Beta Pi. Four out
of thirty six! That is more than mere coincidence! (The four
students: Logan Boles, Pat Fisher, Dennis Jones and Phil
Puckett.)
I will get the check in the mail
tomorrow, and try to compose something to email to you
later.
Logan Boles
BSHS '57
---------------------------------------
(For Mr. Guthrie)
Dear Mr. Guthrie:
I regret that I will not be present when
the scholarship in your honor is presented. I do want to
communicate to you the profound effect that you had on my
early years.
During my senior year at BSHS, you taught
me much more than math. You taught me how to solve problems
and gave me the confidence to meet any challenge that came
my way. With that motivation, I was able to excel in
engineering at Texas Tech. Your students were ready to take
on the world!
In my graduation yearbook from Texas
Tech, LA VENTANA for 1961, there are thirty six members of
the engineering honor society, Tau Beta Pi. Four are your
students from the class of 1957! (Myself, Pat Fisher,
Dennis Jones and Phil Puckett.) Four out of thirty six is
more than coincidence, and speaks volumes about your effect
on your students.
You also gave me a gift greater than
academics. After the Christmas school break in early 1957,
you shared with our class your belief about the
"Christmas Story". To this day, I share that story
with my family and friends.
Mr. Guthrie, from the bottom of my heart,
thank you helping me along the way. I pray that I have been
able to impart some small part of that goodness to others.
Logan Boles
BSHS '57
----------------------------
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of Page
Don
Anderson '57
don.g.anderson@uslgn.mail.abb.com
I graduated BSHS '57 and of course had Mr. Guthrie as my
Algebra teacher
and possibly Plane Geometry-don't remember for sure.
However, he also had a
profound affect on me and I remember him fondly. I pledge
$20 to the Fund.
I'll send you a check but I'm on my way to Caracas tomorrow
morning so I'll
have to send it later.
I went to HCJC (now Howard College) and then to the
University of Alabama
and graduated as a Mechanical Engineer. I'm now a Project
Director for a
large international engineering and construction
company. Mr. Guthrie
surely had an impact on my life and guided me into my
profession. I
remember him being strict and enforcing discipline in the
classroom.
Something I hear is needed today.
Don Anderson '57
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of Page
I would like to take this opportunity to
personally thank Mr. Guthrie for all his years of dedication
to the education of students who came his way seeking to
attain the knowledge and skills in mathematics. I know
that I certainly benefited from his teachings that helped
prepare me for the world of engineering. There have
always been dedicated teachers throughout history whose
efforts and perseverance have made a real difference in the
lives of countless people.
To you Mr. Guthrie, a belated "Thank You" for all
your years of service. You will always be remembered
for your contributions to the education of so many.
And thanks to Janice and Lane Bond for establishing the
Scholarship fund in Mr. Guthrie name to continue the
benefits of good education for the generations yet to
come. My thoughts are with you all at this time to
continue to make Big Spring High School truly a great
educational institution!
Aloha and Regards,
Ray Aubrey
Honolulu, Hawaii
Big Spring High School Class of 1958
Kathleen
Thomas Grimes
jkgrimes@crcom.net
Mr. Guthrie:
It is so admirable that you were able to spend so many years
trying to
create in young minds a desire for math.
It is very admirable that you could impart knowledge to
minds that weren't
always open. You were able to impart wisedom
to young people with not much desire and thus prepare
them for the world
you knew was ahead.
I feel I was fortunate. I also was able to know the
man that I had known
before only as a teacher. When Jerry
and I joined the Presbyterian church I feel I came to know
the man. I know
what intelligence you possess. I also
know what a basically good person you are. You and
Sarah loved the church
and greatly contributed to it with your
presence.
Thanks for trying to instill in my brain knowledge to
prepare me for the
world. Thanks for all the years you spent
giving young people equipment to prepare them for life.
Kathleen Thomas Grimes
I think the Scholarship Fund in Mr.
Guthrie's name is an excellent idea! My
check is in the mail.
Thanks for including me.
Dear Lane and Janice,
I am delighted that you are taking the initiative to honor
Mr. G.T. Guthrie. I was also in one of his classes in 1949,
his first year at B.S.H.S. I was in his geometry class. That
experience played a big part in my own career. For the first
time, I learned that logical reasoning could result in
solving actual problems and answer practical questions. It
was the first time that math had any appeal to me. Without
that foundation, I doubt if I would have pursued a career in
engineering. As you may know, I went on to teach engineering
at the university level until my retirement from Oklahoma
State University in 1994. After that, I went to Hong Kong
for 4 years to start a new university. (I was Dean of
Engineering and Vice President for Research.) Now, I am
working part time at MIT on some of their advanced
engineering research projects.
When I was elected to the National Academy of Engineering, a
reporter asked me who had had the greatest influence in my
early education. After reflecting, I answered that Ms. Agnes
Curry had taught me how to write and Mr. G.T. Guthrie had
taught me how to think logically.
Although I will not be able to attend the award ceremony,
please convey
my very best good wishes to Mr. Guthrie. I doubt that he
remembers me at all, since I was not a particularly
outstanding student. None-the-less, I have fond memories of
his classes and recognize that he instilled in me a certain
discipline in how to approach difficult problems.
I am sending a check today to contribute to the Scholarship
Fund.
Bests regards to you both (and belated congratulations on
your marriage!)
-----Joe Mize (Class of 1951)
sam3604@juno.com
Mr Guthrie,
You taught me algebra and did a pretty good job of it. I was
not at the
top of the class but I did pretty well. You made me feel
special because
you called me "Cookie". You also told me the
reason you called me Cookie
was because I crumbled under pressure but just the same I
felt special
because of that name. It is like the truism of a kid seeking
attention
even if it is not always positive attention. I was pleased
and it brought
a smile to my face, as it always does when I think of days
in your
algegra class in 1956-57, to hear that you were being
honored in such a
way. God bless you.
-----Etha (Oliver) Overton
A. G. (Jerry) Rogers, class of 1952
agroger@crcom.net
I started to school at Big Spring High School in 1949. I
took all the math courses that Mr. Guthrie taught while I
was
in school. I am unable to find all the records of my grades
during this time but my recollections are that I always made
very good grades in his classes. I thought he was an
excellent teacher, very professional and what you would
expect a math teacher to be. I always felt that we had a
very good class room relationship and that he was very
encouraging to me and all of his students to do our very
best. The only record I have are in the little notes
that Mr.. Guthrie wrote in my high school yearbooks. I was
very proud of his comments which were as follows:
1950---"Jerry: Your ability to be attentive when those
around are not is an asset. GTG"
1951---"Jerry: Hurriedly, I will say you are a
brilliant fellow. GTG"
1952---"It is always a pleasure to deal with a person
who is honest. GTG"
It was a pleasure to have had Mr. Guthrie as a teacher and I
would like to wish him the best of everything in the future.
I received a BSME from Texas Tech in 1957 and worked in
aircraft and defense industry until 1974. I believe that my
back- ground in high school math under Mr. Guthrie was very
helpful in obtaining my degree. I have been a
self-employed farmer in Howard County since 1974.
----------A. G. (Jerry) Rogers 1952
Freda
Hoover
[for 20 years
secretary to BSHS principals]
Dear Lane,
GTG is a teacher I will never forget. So many people who wrote in mentioned that he taught them to think logically. That is the very way that I remember him. He would never tell anyone how to find the answer to a problem. He would prod us 'til we figured it out for ourselves.
I don't know whether I told you or not, but I wrote the retirement letter he submitted when he retired. He sent me a dozen red roses for writing the letter for him. He told me he did not know how to write the letter, so I offered to do it for him, and he took me up on my offer. I always felt like he was family, or something like family. He was special.
[Editor's note: Freda took math from Mr. Guthrie at Coahoma before he came to Big Spring to teach. She wrote this in an email to me (Lane Bond) in response to viewing this page on the site. She did not expect me to post it here, but she did not object when I asked her. She is my sister.]
reda Hoover
I was very priveledged to have Mr Guthrie for High School Algebra. He taught some very unwilling students in a concise and direct method that got through, where no tacher had before. He taught me that math was very logical, had "rhyme and reason" and that was a totally new concept that made such sense.