'19 Columbia Freshmen Jump to the Ivy League From the Armed Forces'

'19 Columbia Freshmen Jump to the Ivy League From the Armed Forces'

A recent story about armed forces veterans at Columbia University reminds me of my friend and high school classmate, Phil Lille [New York, "19 Columbia Freshmen Jump to the Ivy League From the Armed Forces," September 5, 2008].

Phil, an All-City athlete, and Tufts University parted company after his freshman (1955-1956) year. He joined the Marines and became a frogman.

After his discharge he matriculated at Columbia University. He took his studies seriously, narrowly missed Phi Beta Kappa, and was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study in Japan.

I was a student at Columbia Law School at the time and was amazed at how the military experience changed my friend.

I hope that the 19 veterans who have enrolled as freshmen at Columbia match my Phil's experience and achievements.

HARRY PETCHESKY

New York, N.Y.