List of Stories
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Class of 1972
Todd Lewis
As the new semester began in the fall of 1967, the United States was
embroiled in a frustrating war in Southeast Asia. Added troops were
needed and since the draft lottery had been instituted a mid week date was chosen for all 18 year old men to face the random lottery, based on
birthdate during the year.
Biola still owned and operated an FM radio station on campus, housed in
the wing of Marshburn Hall, with a ticker tape for news broadcasting.
Word went out through housemail and dorm contacts [no BUBBS in those days nor computer addresses] that every freshman male was to congregate outside of the radio station in the street area that now is between the gazebo on the Bardwell Building side and the Marshburn Hall Auditorium. It seemed to me, as I go back in my memory, that we were all standing outside, grouped randomly with friends we had made in the short time since the semester had begun for us. I was standing with a group of friends: Ken Bascom (Facilities/Services), Tim Stranske (Education Department) and others. Dave Ciocchi (Philosophy) was probably in the crowd that day somewhere too. A day of the year would be pulled off the ticker tape, announced over a loud speaker, and a draft number connected. Low numbers out of 365 would be frightening because if your student deferrment ever lapsed you might be called in the draft immediately. My number was 265 for January 12th. I breathed a sigh of relief, figuring that I was pretty safe being that far into the lottery. I remember distinctly Ken Bascorresponding to his high number, maybe it was 363 to 365: "The only way they'll take me is if they land on Long Beach." But the most interestingresponse came from an athlete in our group, a wrestler here on scholarship, who heard his birthday and then the number "One" was uttered.
The next words out of his mouth were: "I feel the call to the
ministry!" Ministerial students got deferred first. I REALLY think
that this Biola alum is still a pastor to this day.
