Donor withdraws
Benefactor disturbed by 'anti-Semitic' comment
Lora Powell: Muleskinner
Issue date: 1/28/10 Section: News
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Due to "anti-Semitic" remarks made by a radio personality affiliated with UCM, he has decided to discontinue his 20-year relationship with Central, one that has brought the Maastricht Friendship Tower, multiple scholarship opportunities and student and faculty exchanges with Maastricht, Netherlands.
"I cannot accept the honorable invitation to teach on campus Spring 2010 and I have canceled immediately my commitment to sponsor the $100,000 Maastricht Friendship Award as well as our positive discussions in establishing a memorial for my brother, Leon, who was murdered by the Germans," Wesly said in an e-mail to President Aaron Podolefsky Dec. 23, 2009.
"I have decided, with tears in my eyes, to finish [the 20-year] relationship with the University. Each morning, I need to face myself in the mirror. Yesterday, today, but also tomorrow," Wesly said.
WHAT THE 'RADIOMAN' SAID
The comment that set off this chain of events was uttered Oct. 14, 2009, during a radio show hosted by Greg Hassler, a partial owner of Warrensburg's KOKO radio station and UCM sports commentator. The comment made reference to a Christmas tree, or lack thereof, in the lawn of Selmo Park, the president's home.
Here's what Hassler said on the radio:
"The thing that really upset me, that kind of got [me] going originally was, for years there was a Christmas tree lit at Selmo Park. He [Podolefsky] stopped that," Hassler said. "I think every religion should be able to celebrate in their own way, but we do live in Warrensburg, Mo. This is America. You know? Let's bring that back. How 'bout (sic) that?"
Wesly, who refers to the comment as an "anti-Semitic public statement trying to hurt Mr. and Mrs. Podolfsky in specific, and all the Jews in the world in general," requested the UCM Board of Governors investigate the comment and take appropriate disciplinary action against Hassler.
WESLY'S UCM CONNECTION
Wesly gained an interest in UCM after meeting then president Ed Elliott while they were working together on travel arrangements for an international exchange program at another institution. They became fast friends, and developed a relationship that would span 20 years.
"I feel proud of this community," Wesly said. "We see it growing and growing and became a fascinating, wonderful and innovative institution."
'FRIENDLY' DONATION
Although Wesly declined to disclose the amount of time and money he has donated to the University over the years, one of his largest donations was the Maastricht Friendship Tower, which was completed in 1998. The image of the tower is now featured in the University's crest, and reads, "Who is wise? He who learns from every person."
The estimated cost of the tower was $400,000, according to a Nov. 13, 1997, Muleskinner report. The Warrensburg Daily Star Journal reported Aug. 27, 1998, that Wesly "paid for a major portion of the construction costs."
Although no indication of the exact amount was given, a 1997 article in UCM's Alumni Today said his gift was more than $300,000.
"The tower is about friendship; about understanding the importance of peace," Elliott said, days before the tower was dedicated during Homecoming 1998.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
In addition to the Friendship Tower, Wesly donated money to create UCM's Maastricht Medallion International Scholarship, which is available to one faculty member and one student through 2018. He established the award to honor students and faculty who have "fostered, promoted or participated in an international experience at the University of Central Missouri," according to the scholarship application provided by the UCM Foundation.
The scholarship was established in 2008 to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the completion of the Friendship Tower. In a Sept. 25, 2008 Presidential Update, Podolefsky said the award would be given over the next 10 years.
In recognition of Wesly's dedication to the University, Elliott presented him an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 1995.
OVER THE ATLANTIC
Word of Hassler's comment spread quickly, and on Oct. 22, 2009, Wesly drafted a letter to Richard Phillips, president of UCM's Board of Governors. In the communication, he explained he had read the radio transcript of the comments and asked the matter be investigated.
"It was a complete shock and still is, that a radio station makes such a horrible statement. I also found out, that the Christmas tree disappeared during the time Mr. and Mrs. [Bobby] Patton did stay at Selmo Park," Wesly said.
The University's reputation was damaged by the statement, Wesly said, and that he did not want to "reconsider [his] relationship which was established over 25 years ago with the University of Central Missouri."
THEN THE LETTERS STARTED...
Ed Baker, a member of the Board of Governors, replied to Wesly's letter Nov. 9, 2009, stating that Hassler's remarks were not part of the Board's decision to not renew Podolefsky's contract. Wesly replied Nov. 16, 2009, saying he was an "outsider" regarding the Podolefsky decision and that was not where his concern was directed.
"Mr. Greg Hassler, who works for a company that has a close business relationship with the University…indicated in a later [statement] that he is not familiar with the word 'anti-Semitic,' " Wesly said. "I do not believe that Central should cooperate with such a person, but I will wait [until] I hear the outcome of the investigation I requested."
CLEARING THE AIR
Phillips addressed Wesly Dec. 13, 2009, after "continuing to visit with University and community individuals in an effort to resolve the issue we have discussed." He said Hassler released a statement Dec. 10 that "should resolve this matter," and that "We trust the issue is behind us and we can move forward."
Although there were no records of the statement on the UCM or KOKO Web sites, an audio recording of Hassler's radio show revealed the public statement he made on air:
"There's another blogger out there and has taken some things I have said out of context and have spun them around and attacked me on blogs calling me a racist, a bigot, which I'm not," Hassler said. "They've also called me anti-Semitic. Which I'm not. I love all people of all religions. I do. I'm not anti-Semitic."
DOING HIS RESEARCH
In Wesly's latest letter to Phillips dated Dec. 23, 2009, he said he checked with professionals about whether Hassler's statement was anti-Semitic.
"I did receive written confirmations, that there is no doubt that the statement is…of a very bad nature," Wesly said.
STUDENT IMPACT
When the Muleskinner contacted Elliott, he said that although he was not fully aware of the situation involving Hassler, the Board of Governors and Wesly, he thought any withdrawal of support could potentially be a harm to students.
"Any time you have a person who eliminates or withdrawls direct support of the students, it is not a positive thing for the institution, but in recent years, I do not know what level of support he has provided to the University," Elliott said. During the time Sandra and I were here, we were very close. He is still a dear friend and will be through the remainder of my life and his."
Wesly's letter listed eight things he asked of the Board, all ending in the words, "You did not."
"I want to face myself every morning in the mirror. One day you may do the same," Wesly wrote to Phillips.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 20
Rick Parr
posted 1/29/10 @ 2:19 PM CST
Would someone explain to me the "anti-Semitic" part of the statement by Greg Hassler? I am failing to see that part. I do understand that if you want to find something, you always can. (Continued…)
Donald A. Bowerman
posted 1/29/10 @ 2:36 PM CST
I think Mr. Hassler has every right to say what he did, and that there was NOTHING anti-semitic about the statement I read (providing what I read was correctly transcribed) or contained nothing specifically targeting any one person or group of people or religion or ethic origin. (Continued…)
Chris
posted 1/29/10 @ 3:04 PM CST
It's unfortunate that Wesly has felt it necessary to remove his support from UCM because of such a ridiculous comment. While I don't think that Hassler was trying to be anti-Semetic, nor do I feel the comment is anti-Semetic, it is an idiodic comment. (Continued…)
Barry
posted 1/29/10 @ 3:31 PM CST
Every other publication I have read about this situation has pointed out that the Christmas Tree was removed many years before the current president came to UCM. (Continued…)
Anne Z-D
posted 1/29/10 @ 4:44 PM CST
Perhaps it wasn't so much the comment of a clueless broadcaster as much as it was the way the Board handled Mr. Wesly's letter. The Board doesn't have to respond to Mr. (Continued…)
Mike Wheeler
posted 1/29/10 @ 4:51 PM CST
Maybe Mr. Weslely needed to scale back on his financial support of UCM. We are in the midst of a recession. Perhaps then what seems to be a fairly mild statement, as anti-semitic comments go, has to suffice as offensive. (Continued…)
Lance Kerbouchard
posted 1/30/10 @ 8:58 PM CST
The remark by Hassler is anti-semitic. Is it a bad comment? Yes. In the context, Hassler obviously intended it to be an improper attack.
That said, it is something that could have been handled with an apology and a lecture on inappropriate comments. (Continued…)
Berto
posted 1/31/10 @ 7:01 PM CST
Just want to say I remember meeting Benoit Wesly in Warrensburg and he was a very friendly guy and if something has upset him he must make a decision which he feels is right. (Continued…)
don'trunmeoutoftown
posted 1/31/10 @ 7:07 PM CST
Let's face it. This ties into other comments made on the radio about the Pres. since his wife was willing to stand up for the 6 Jane Does in the court case. (Continued…)
Karen Churn
posted 2/01/10 @ 9:26 AM CST
Just because we have the right to say whatever the heck we want doesn't necessarily mean that we should. I don't know Mr. Hassler nor do I listen to him on the radio, but from reading the transcript, I can see how his words could be considered anti-Semitic whether it was his intention or not. (Continued…)
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