Ziyad Duron '81
Chair, Department of Engineering
My first recollection of President Platt is from when I was a student here and the singing he used to lead the students in. When I became a faculty member, it was clear that he had created something pretty significant. It wasn’t a structural creation. It was a cultural creation. Joe really had the ability to create a culture of learning and excellence, even in an era when you didn’t have the resources we have today. That was something that left a lasting impression on the community. Now, as department chair of engineering, I think back about what he did in terms of administering this institution. It’s pretty significant. He had far less to work with and created so much more than anyone could have every imagined. He will be missed.
Ethan Rubin '08
San Antonio, TX
I’ll be listening to Arthur Roberts tonight in Professor Platt’s honor.
“Sing hey nonny nooooooo for natural science…”
Chris Curzon
Monrovia, CA
I remember Joe Platt and his guitar at the East Dorm Milk and Cookies party. “The deuterons go round and round…” I felt he was so accessible and so human and so wise… a truly amazing man.
Gary Kiefer
MD/Ph.d, family physician, Scottsdale AZ
During a summer Sunday tour of HMC before my freshman year, my sister saw Joe leaving Kingston Hall and declared, ‘That must be Harvey Mudd!’ She was right. My condolences to the Platt family, and my
thanks for so generously sharing Joe with us.
David Chandler '70
Retired teacher, CA
I remember visiting at the Platt’s house when I was a student and mentioning that I was thinking of going into secondary education. I felt a little embarrassed that this was not a worthy career goal for a Harvey Mudd student. Joe completely set me at ease, emphasizing how important it is to have talented, inspired teachers at all levels. He said almost every year there are a few Harvey Mudd alums who go into K-12 teaching. That turned out to be an insightful and empowering conversation. I just retired this year from a long, satisfying career teaching high school physics and math in private, public, and international schools, and am continuing into retirement creating supplementary curriculum materials. Thank you Joe.