Alfred C. Viebranz
The Viebranz Visiting Professorship of Creative Writing
ALFRED C. VIEBRANZ '42
There are a handful of people whose breadth of involvement with St. Lawrence has rivaled that of this kind, brilliant, and humorous man. He was a University Trustee from 1968 until elected Trustee Emeritus in 1991 and served as Chair of the Board from 1978 to 1983. He also served on the Alumni Executive Council and served a term as President. He was a fundraising volunteer, career conference panelist, and admissions coordinator. In 1979, he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University and gave the Commencement address. In 1990, he received the Alumni Citation. Al & Elaine went on the first Kenya trip for SLU alumni and trustees in 1992 and accompanied the SLU cultural encounters group to Kenya in 1993.
Although a physics major, Al's interests were eclectic, and he loved to write. As a student, he was managing editor of the Hill News and served as its sports editor. He was a member of Thelmo and the physics and journalism honorary societies and played varsity hockey.
His career included 36 years with GTE, from which he retired in 1982 as Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, a stint as assistant to the director of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. While there he created three oral history interview projects, including one with Paul Mellon. He was also hired by Jerome Kohlberg to create a biography to be shared with family members. The book was called Earning Good Fortunes. Ultimately, Al served on the board of the Kohlberg Foundation. The Viebranzes supported a wide variety of University programs and initiatives from scholarships, including one named in Elaine's honor, to library and lecture funds and the Canaras Conference Center. In 1999 the Viebranz Visiting Professorship of Creative Writing was established by Jerome and Nancy Kohlberg, friends of Al Viebranz, as a tribute to the friendship, respect, and mutual admiration between Mr. Kohlberg and Mr. Viebranz. The endowment was established in creative writing as a token of Mr. Viebranz's respect for creative writing and the importance he places on its role in education. This fund recognizes the "elements of creativity, high standards and humor that characterize the Viebranz approach to writing and life." The fund supports a visiting professor in creative writing who teaches fiction, non-fiction or poetry. The Kohlberg House was purchased with a gift from Al and Elaine Viebranz as a home for the Viebranz Visiting Professor and named in honor of their friend, Jerome Kohlberg.
Beyond all of the honors and titles and gifts, Al was a true friend to St. Lawrence. He loved the University enough to be direct with his criticism, when he believed it was warranted. He admired and respected the English Department faculty, especially Natalia Singer, Al Glover, Pat Alden and Bob DeGraaff. He delighted in remembering the limerick competition he and Bob conceived and promoted that involved faculty writing limericks, during the commencement ceremony, that included the name of the commencement speaker. He was touched by the gift from the Kohlbergs and pleased to be able to direct its use to support the English department and creative writing at St. Lawrence.
