Regarding the fifth article in the “A Cyclone Century” series from Dec. 12, it might be of interest to readers to note that it was because of the very critical work that ISC did on the Manhattan Project that a gift of money from the U.S. government came to the college in gratitude for that effort.

President Friley was determined to use the money — a gift, remember, not state-appropriated funds — to build a television station — WOI-TV.

This was an extremely innovative idea, which our State Board of Regents so bullishly decided to sell with the tacit though not public approval of the ISU administration and its state lobbyist.

At the dawn of the 21st century, we were poised on the very cutting edge of technology to deliver distance learning to the world.

This station was begun at no cost whatsoever to Iowans. What a grievous error.

Gretchen Triplett

Administrative specialist

Animal science