Larry Larkin
W3170 County Road BB
Lake Geneva, WI 53147

January 8, 2006

Dr. Don Randel, President
University of Chicago
5801 S. Ellis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637

Dear Dr. Randel;

I read with interest the article in the Thursday, January 5, 2006, edition of the Chicago Tribune regarding the University of Chicago's relationship with Argonne National Laboratory. Having worked on nuclear testing and radiation data telemetry early in my career, I am very aware of the role that the University of Chicago and, later, Argonne Laboratory played in the development of nuclear technology. Indeed, Fermi, Compton and Wigner were among my childhood heroes.

I applaud the efforts of Northwestern University, my alma mater, and the University of Illinois to support the University of Chicago in its effort to continue its relationship with Argonne. I am particularly taken with Dr. Bienen's comments quoted in the article that "… we are concerned that the directorship of Argonne not be lost to Illinois. We didn't want to compete against the University of Chicago. We wanted to strengthen their bid." Such selfless support is a high calling and is the nature of a great university. I share your hope that this newly formed academic alliance will prove beneficial in achieving your common goals.

In a similar manner, I think it is an excellent opportunity for the University of Chicago to reciprocate by showing similar support for a sister University by endorsing Aurora University's proposal to assume the stewardship of Yerkes Observatory. I hope in the not too distant future I can read another quote from Dr. Webber in the Tribune saying "We believe it appropriate to partner with Aurora University's mission to continue to do science at Yerkes." Surely, selling Yerkes to a resort/spa developer would be an anathema to the altruistic face the University of Chicago is presenting to the public in its role at Argonne.

Sincerely,

Larry Larkin