The fall 2013 issue’s “By the Numbers” on alumni values included a question about the importance of participating in religious activities and groups. Fifty-nine percent of alumni responded “not important at all.” It may interest them to know that at an earlier time in Williams’ history, nearly 100 percent of its constituents would have said religion was essential. Virtually all the people associated with Williams’ early history were deeply committed to the Christian faith. These included its benefactor, Ephraim Williams. Its first four presidents were all doctors of divinity. Others included Williams’ original trustees, administrators, faculty and students. This state of affairs remained well into the last century, albeit to a diminishing degree. While for the majority of alumni religion is not important, they would do well to remember those who brought them to the dance.
—Sloane Graff ’80, Louisville, Ky.