James Robinson, 1972

 James Robinson asked me to write this letter on his behalf.  Before he left to go to Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, he wanted to express to Anderson College his deep feelings.  Unfortunately, he was unable to do so, and consequently he told me what to say.  He thanks all of his new friends, that he met during his year and one-half stay at A.C.  He thanks his teachers and the administration, that taught him a lot and gave him an opportunity to better himself.  Especially, he thanks all the people, who understand his infirmity, and his attempt to overcome it.  He was extremely shy, when he came to A.C., but his feeling soon subsided due to the warm fellowship he received during his stay here.  James had a chance to go to any school in America, but he chose Anderson, because of the fine standards and small campus.  Now, he is gone.  His example will live on as a memory to all of us, who knew him well.  Maybe in Dallas, he will touch some others' lives.  He will always be remembered to us as a person who fought insurmountable odds and won.  In closing, he looks back on an article in "The Yodler" last year concerning him.  He thinks that he really didn't deserve it and thanks everyone for their concern and hopes that it wasn't pity.  Something I'll always remember about James is that he would say, jokingly, that he tried to play upon his teacher's pity, but then he would say, "Please, don't pity me!"  What this mean is that he had a funny side, but his statement on pity was his basis on trying to understand people.  He was a person like you or me and didn't need or want pity.  Just because he was blind, didn't mean he was special.  This was, still is, and will be James Arthur Robinson.  He was a friend to me.