A Self-Styled "Campus Cat"

Paul Roewade '62 is an exceptional individual in the present undergraduate ranks. To begin with, he is a veteran of four years' active duty with the United States Navy. Although a decade ago veterans were the rule rather than the exception on this campus, today such pre-college activity is, in a sense, strictly off-beat. And Paul does have an off-beat quality about him. On the other hand, we have Paul Roewade the stalwart campus leader, reserved and highly respected among his fellows. This is not to infer that he is in any sense a Jekyll and Hyde character. Rather, he is a many-faceted and very interesting young man.

The decision to join the Navy came after high school at New Trier Township High in Winnetka, Illinois. Very few individuals are prepared to make a sound career decision at that point in life. The difference with Roewade was that he understood this. Deeply interested in music and art, Paul enlisted in 1954 because of the good music program the Navy operates. Before doing this, he had considered art school. Fortunately, he was able to pursue both art and music during some of his tour of duty. He spent the first year in the Navy at music school in Washington. There he served as a staff artist. In the next three years, Paul rose to the rank of Musician 2/C, spent eighteen months in Europe, and toured South America with Navy bands. He had interesting duty both ashore and afloat and finished up at Pensacola, Florida.

Roewade came to Dartmouth in the fall of 1958 older, wiser, and mentally prepared for the four years that have ensued. He has crammed more activities into his undergraduate schedule than most of his classmates would dare to do. A good and successful politician, he was vice president of his class freshman year and president during his sophomore year. Next he was secretary of Green Key. This year he is chairman of Palaeopitus. He is a member of both Casque and Gauntlet and Psi Upsilon. This listing could stop here and be rather remarkable, but there is more: Jacko art staff, managing editor of Greensleeves for two years, student director and secretary-treasurer of the Band, member of the Undergraduate Council Judiciary Committee for three years, Barbary Coast orchestra, and secretary of Psi Upsilon.

To top this off, Paul Roewade is an English Honors student and maintains a 4.0 average in his studies. Next year he plans on graduate school in English Literature. Hopefully this will lead to a career in teaching. His summers have been spent in Chicago doing market research for the Nielsen Company, and this is another career possibility.

Paul's first love is easily music. He plays the drums and is business manager for a highly successful progressive jazz group known as the "Modern Men." Two years ago the group was runner-up at the Intercollegiate Jazz Festival at Notre Dame. Their showings in this and other competitions have made quite a name for them. Their concert book is entirely self-written, and they are a popular attraction anytime they perform. Jazz introduced Paul and his fiancee, Miss Lois Cowen of Chicago. Lois and Paul's sister, then students at Northwestern, formed the core of the cheering section for the "Modern Men" at Notre Dame.

Paul Roewade is now 26 years old. Using the jargon of jazz, he describes himself as the "oldest cat at the College." His friends believe he is the "world's oldest undergraduate." Depending on one's perspective, he is either four years ahead or four years behind himself because of his Navy service. Paul feels strongly about this, and is certain that his decision to postpone college was a good one. Many high school seniors think about a course similar to Paul's. Few try it. And those who do seldom go on to college. Yet Paul's bright record at the College in all things should make some reflect on their own past or future decisions.

Paul Roewade '62