February 28, 1940: What's Next?

Letter from Kathleen Hambley Hanstein of American Friends Service Committee 

to Elizabeth Mohler of McPherson College

Transcription:

February 28, 1940

Miss Elizabeth Mohler

1142 East Euclid Street

McPherson, Kansas

My dear Miss Mohler:

Your letter in regard to the refugee student, Mr. Thomas Doeppner, has been brought to my attention and I am investigating the possibilities for him at the close of the present school year, and I shall write you again as soon as we have concrete suggestions to offer.

Very sincerely,

(Mrs.) Kathleen Hambly Hanstein

Placement Worker

 Letter from Kathleen Hambly Hanstein of American Friends Service Committee 

to President V.F. Schwann of McPherson College

Transcription:

February 28, 1940

President V.F. Schwann

McPherson College

McPherson, Kansas.

Re: Thomas Doeppner

Dear Dr. Schwann:

Miss Elizabeth Mohler has written to ask our advice in regard to future plans for the refugee student, Mr. Thomas Doeppner. In order to give such advice, we need to know how Mr. Doeppner has gotten along at McPherson both scholastically and persoanlly, and what your advice would be in regard to his continuing there or transferring to a college which offers more engineering courses. It seems that he had quite a bit of work to make up when he entered last fall and we are wondering whether it might be wise for him to continue with a general course during his under-graduate years and, if so, whether his work is of such calibre that he might hope to obtain scholarship aid for graduate work in engineering.

We are concerned also about arrangements for the summer and should be glad of any suggestion that you might have as to possibilities for summer employment in that part of the country.

We are most grateful for the opportunity that the college is giving Mr. Doeppner and we shall certainly appreciate any advice that you may have as to future plans for him.

Very sincerely yours,

(Mrs.) Kathleen Hambly Hanstein

Placement Worker

 Letter from Kathleen Hambly Hanstein at American Friends Service Committee 

to Tom (Opa)

Transcription:

February 28, 1940

Mr. Thomas Doeppner

McPherson College

McPherson, Kansas.

Dear Thomas Doeppner:

Since Miss Salmon has been transferred to another department of the Friends Service Committee, I am taking up some of the work that she formerly handled. One of the things that I have been asked to do is find out what plans and desires you may have by now in regard to the summer and next year. I am wondering whether you would like to continue at McPherson, if it should be possible for you to do so, or whether you feel you cannot get sufficient work there along the line in which you are particularly interested. In case you think that you should transfer to a college which has more engineering courses, have you gotten the advice of any of your professors in regard to this?

In regard to the summer, have you any possibilities of obtaining work which might carry you until the next school term? Would you be interested in attending a summer camp in any capacity, if such an arrangement could be made?

I wish that we might have a chance to talk all these things over personally, but since that is not possible, I hope that you will write me fully about them and that you will feel free to ask any questions that may occur to you. We are all wondering how things are working out for you, and hope very much that you have continued to enjoy being at McPherson as much as you seemed to at first.

Very sincerely,

(Mrs.) Kathleen Hambly Hanstein

Placement Worker

Mrs. Kathleen Hambly Hanstein has taken the reigns for Opa's American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) case file for now (is Charlotte gone from us forever?! I love Charlotte!). She's doing fine though. She responds to this letter from Elizabeth Mohler at McPherson and tells her she is looking into an answer. And she gets right to it. 

Hanstein writes two additional letters: one to the college president, and one to Opa. It's a smart move on her part. She wants to know from the President how the students is doing and what his options are, and she wants to know from Opa how he's feeling and what his desires are. It's cool to think about the President of the college having a real connection with the students and a handle on the available resources for him. I went to a fairly large school and this idea of the President knowing who I am and whether I have job possibilities in the summer is pretty amazing to me. 

I think I've said this before, but it bears repeating- there is definitely a feeling of "it takes a village" in this setting for Opa. The AFSC has done more than just get him to America, they continue to follow him and make sure he is settled, content, and getting his needs met. The college is committed to Opa's well-being too. They want to make sure he is able to remain in the USA and do what he came for- whether that be a transfer or staying at McPherson.

Hanstein tells Opa she wishes they could discuss his needs and desires in person, but that he should not hesitate to write in a letter all that he thinks and any questions he has. This just shows the level of care and concern the staff has for these refugees. She hasn't even been connected to his case file yet, but you can tell she knows who he is and has been following his case. After all- he is the success story the whole office has rejoiced in.

Side note- I love how no one believed or assumed he would only be in the United States for the one year of studying abroad. That was sort of how the paperwork was worded when he applied for the student visa- but no one actually meant it. It is assumed he will stay as long as he can and needs to. 

So I'm curious what the responses will be. Will the President encourage Opa to stay and offer his support? Will Opa want to stay or feel ready to transfer to a school with an engineering program? What will he do for the summer? And will anyone think it's weird to be talking about the summer and following fall in the cold month of February?