Repository: UIHistories Project: Dedication - Swanlund Administration Building [PAGE 10]

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Maybelle Swaiilund

JL t gives me a good feeling to be here, and to share with all of you the deep appreciation and gratitude of Lester H. Swanlund, who in his way contributed so much through his productive labor, his integrity; and his humility. The one question I am asked frequently is "Where did you meet Lester? Did you take an accounting course, or did he take a library course?" Neither. I met Lester Swanlund in 1931 at a Halloween party at the Campus Y.M.C.A., where he was on the entertainment committee. When Louise (my library friend) and I decided to go to the party, we promised we would not come home with any one else. While dancing with Lester, he asked to take me home, and I answered, "You will have to ask my friend Louise. We promised we would go home together." He went directly to Louise and promised her, he would get a date for her. To my surprise she agreed. When Lester arrived home that evening he told his roommate he had met his ideal. His roommate responded, "You said you were not going to go with any girl, because you were going to take double courses in accounting and also work." His roommate called me the next day and asked, "How come he changed his mind?" I answered, "I don't know. You will have to ask him." Something positive and wonderful resulted from that 1931 meeting. When he talked about the future I kept saying, "Maybe, maybe, maybe." Finally, he cut out the "y" and my nickname became "Mabe." Every time some one called me "Mabe," Lester kept reminding me, "You did not say no, you said,'Maybe! Maybe!" Many years later I had a close friend who lived across the street from me in Park Ridge, Illinois. When her husband retired from being President of Sveda, they moved to the French Riviera. I wrote to her telling her about the sudden death of Lester of a heart attack at the age of 63- After hearing of Lester's death she wrote me a letter saying, "Not only was he your husband, but he was also your best friend."