Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

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attempt, the shah died in Cairo at age 60, Iraq and Iran went to war, Iran threatened to bring the hostages to trial, and the negotiations plodded slowly on. Finally on January 20, 1981, just hours before the inauguration of Ronald Reagan, the 52 remaining hostages rode through the streets of Tehran to Mehrabad Airport where they boarded an Algerian airliner and took off on their voyage to freedom. A united America, covered in yellow ribbons, welcomed the ex-hostages home with extraordinary zeal; a long line of receptions began with a welcome from Jimmy Carter and immediate family in West Germany, and continued with long awaited reunions at West Point, Washington, D.C., and many home towns across the U.S.A. ticker tape parade for Americas 52 heroes in New York City culminated the activities. The hostage ordeal had ended, but its memories and effects were to linger on. 19

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U.S. Hostages In Iran On November 4, 1979 media reports of the seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran spread across the nation. Reaction to the news varied, but very few expected the ordeal of the American hostages to drag on for 14 months or to have such a tremendous impact on the country. Originally, 65 hostages were held in the embassy. Their captors demanded that the U.S. hand over to them the exiled Shah of Iran. President Carter refused and negotiations plodded slowly on. During the 444 day ordeal the news reports were filled with stories of the Iranian situation: several hostages, blacks and females, were released, many Iranians were deported, promises of impending release flickered and died, American imports of Iranian oil were cut off, eight brave Americans were killed in a rescue attempt. Secretary of State Cyrus Vance resigned in protest of the 18

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1 d LPf 1 % ! May I 1 Brawn Promoted to Dean After seven years as Assistant Dean of Students and another seven years as Associate Dean of Students, Bernard H. Brown was promoted to Dean of Students as of January 1, 1981. Dean Brown has seen numerous transitions at WPI including coeducation and the implementation of the Plan. Throughout his almost twenty years of experience in higher education, Brown has found his work challenging and enjoyable. The new Dean is enthusiastic about his new position, and he hopes to improve certain aspects of student orientation as well as student life in general. When Bernie Brown arrived at WPI, his job encompassed residence halls, resident advisor training, foreign student advising and Greek affairs. During his fourteen years. Brown has become less involved with housing and taken more 20