Memories of Albert "Al" Glover

After his retirement I found great joy in connecting with Al on the course. It wasn't so much that I played with him, rather we would just discuss how are games were going, mine usually quite poorly, and whatever else was on our minds. I will miss those simple conversations with one of the nicest people I have ever known.  Brian Chezum, Economics

My heart is heavy with the news of Al Glover's passing. He served as University Marshal for several years, with exemplary care, kindness, and consideration for our traditions and the people who created the events and the people who celebrated. I felt honored to partner with him on many occasions. He brought optimism to every meeting and respect for all, always. Sincerest condolences to Patricia and all who loved Al.  Lisa M. Cania, Retired VP for Community and Employee Relations & Secretary of the Corporation

 I only know Albert Glover through Peter and Fran Bailey. And yet I feel that I know him well enough to mourn his loss with all of you who are closer--on the ground--to losing a treasured colleague, friend, and family member. i mourn his loss as a Professor of English at SLU par excellence, as a poet whose work I hope to read sooner or later, and as a dear friend of Peter and Fran Bailey.   Lucretia Bailey Yaghjian, sister of Emeritus Professor Peter Bailey

We shared a mutual feeling for the value of the library and the importance of the written word. So nice to have known you and worked with you, Albert. You knew your craft and you knew great teaching at our level. It was fun to serve with you on the Friends of ODY and Launders Libraries when the libraries actually had Friends! You knew, and cared for, this faculty as well. My best to the family. Rest peacefully my friend. Mark  J. Mark Erickson, Geology

Paul Simon wrote a song called “You Can Call Me Al” and in the Great Depression song “Buddy Can You Spare a Dime” the lyric included the verse “Say, don’t you remember? They Called Me ‘Al ‘it was ‘Al’ All the time. Not so much with Albert Glover. To me and other colleagues it was not Al but Albert. Sometimes I would casually call him “Bert” or try a French pronunciation of Albert. But never Al. There was a time when he was in high school he indicated that he was called “Mike”. It seemed a little unlikely but then I was called “Butch” in high school so, go figure. Of course he was also Dr. Glover when he needed to be. 
I met Albert in 1968 at a party thrown by a visiting professor of German. The party was in a second story apartment on Pine Street. We were both new to St. Lawrence and our first conversation revealed that we spoke the same language and had contemporary art and poetry in common. We knew or knew of some of the same people. We shared an interest in Black Mountain College and the impact it had on American art and American arts education. That first meeting led to a life-long friendship in which we became neighbors, collaborators, and most recently retired professors who enjoyed walking in the fieldhouse at St. Lawrence. Those walks were a form of exercise but mostly served as an opportunity for conversation.
So yes, I called him Albert but I sincerely called him a friend.  Guy Berard, Fine Arts

I was an English major when Albert first appeared on campus in a cape and a staff with crow’s feather (I believe that the crow was Albert’s totem). My first semester with Dr. Glover—in a course entitled “John Donne”—he read a complete doctoral dissertation by Carlos Castenada which later became the well-known work “Teachings of Don Juan: a Yaqui way of Knowledge.” As word got around campus, the class was standing room only. It was a very, very different time. Dr. Glover showed many of us a different way to look at school and life. He was an absolutely unique teacher and influenced me then and now in ways I’m really unable to express. I fondly remember times at various farm houses with Al (and Guy) and a group of former classmates—friends and students of Al, many who have sadly passed away. Also wonderful evenings at Connie Barr’s. In later years we often stayed in touch at the Women’s hockey games. (Albert was a standout school boy hockey player in the Boston area—which he demonstrated at the traditional Faculty-Staff hockey game).

It was a very, very different time.  Bob FritzRandolph '70, Bookstore Director (1976-2013)

Dr. Glover was my advisor, poetry mentor, supporter, and friend. He encouraged my writing throughout my time at SLU and far beyond, often dropping me a note to make sure I was still writing after I graduated, and sending my drafts of his own work. I will be forever grateful to him for his generosity and care. In one of the last emails we exchanged, he wrote: of the Keats line: "In any case you have returned me to 'Fair youth, beneath the trees, thou canst not leave / Thy song, nor ever can those trees be bare.'" And now his passing has in turn given that line back to me, like a torch. I won't let it go out. I will miss you, Albert.   Charlotte Boulay '00

As a freshman at St Lawrence I took Albert Glover’s class on Masterpieces of Western Literature. My first essay assignment was returned with the grade of “D” and the following comment: “you write well but you don’t say much!” Therein was the beginning of a challenging semester, and one of the best classes I ever took as an undergraduate. I credit Professor Glover with the start of my intellectual awakening. He also modeled a teaching rigor that helped guide my later career as a university professor. Thirty years after graduation I returned to St Lawrence to receive an honorary degree and as a special part of that honor Dr. Glover, along with my mentor in geology Dr. J Mark Erickson, were the faculty members who placed the doctoral hood over my head at the ceremony. Dr. Glover will be remembered as a remarkable educator and I offer my condolences to his family and friends.  Mark Klett '74

I was saddened to hear about Albert’s death. He was a one-of-a-kind teacher and person. As a teacher, he brought poetry and words to life. He encouraged us to find our own voice and always challenged us to see the world in ways that were magical, meaningful, and life-affirming. As a person, he always had a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous smile on his lips. For over 55+ years he has occupied a special place in my head. 

If you want to hear Albert reading his poetry book, A Trio in G, in 1972, you can go to the Library digital collection. Also, at the bottom of the page is an interview from 2023:
https://gallery.stlawu.edu/digital/collection/p17226coll2/search  Bill Christ '71, Religion

I remember Al Glover when I took his poetry class at SLU in Richardson Hall. He was a good professor that pushed us, or at least me, to be creative. It was a time on campus when a band called the Raquette River Rounders was playing, and taking Al's course, listening to a great North Country band, and canoeing on the river all made my SLU experience memorable. In fact, the entire English Department at SLU was great and it is one of the things I treasure about my liberal arts education. Thanks Al.  Joe Grasso '83

Thanks to many after-class conversations about words and what it means to be a poet, Dr. Glover had a significant impact on my writing and on me. For our final exam in his poetry class, he distributed blue books then wrote on the blackboard: "What's new?" Some wrote a few words and left, others sweated it out for the full two hours. That memory has stayed with me and I often use the question as a conversation starter. Once when my daughter was three years old I asked her "What's new?" She paused for a moment, then with a face full of surprise said, "Everything!" A few years ago while visiting with Dr. Glover, I had the opportunity to thank him for his guidance and tell him that story. He beamed like a three-year-old.   Dan Berggren '71

Albert Glover was my freshman English professor, mentor, fashion inspiration, creative coach, and cherished friend. My memories of time spent at his farm house preparing windows for winter, stopping by the “in-town” house for iced tea on the porch, working on his epic poetry project The Curriculum 
of the Soul, sharing a simple meal, laughing, crying, singing, wondering, but always feeling. So many feelings. I’m saddened that this world has lost him but I’m delighted for the next world that receives him. He is a gift. My love to Patricia and the family. Peace.  Charlie Whittingham, '80

 I arrived on campus in the fall of 1968, same as Al Glover. I was a history major but took many English classes, including some with Al. I immediately joined a band that fall w Bob Becker, 71.
We were Pathos then, with Rich Carlson 69 and Fred Darfler 70. We later morphed into the Miner Street Band, including at first Chris Nichols, 71 and Scott Brown 72, then Nick Langan , 75 and Mike Kallet, 72
Al had a huge influence on me, showed me how to Think Different. I remember his final exam with the entreaty, What's New? on the chalk board. I was one of those who sweated it out trying to figure out where this was coming from!

Mostly, Al was open to us, not as a professor but as friend and mentor. He was a big supporter of our band and our music. His support was such a boost and confidence builder for young musicians finding their way. I will always be in his debt for sending me on a musical path ever since. Thank you Al. With love,  Jack Geortner, '72

I only recently learned of the death of Albert Glover. He remains the only person I've ever known who was both an accomplished hockey player and a published poet. He was also one of the nicest people I've ever known. He was that rare faculty member who genuinely understood – because he was willing to – and appreciated administrators. In turn, I greatly appreciated his encouragement toward elevating my feature writing internship in University Communications to a credit-bearing course in his department, English. In our retirement, I worked with Albert, by then a neighbor in Canton, on one of the books he was publishing, and found him the same as he'd always been: well met, respectful, gentle, literate, kind. The world today needs more like him.  Neal Burdick '72; University writer/editor; instructor, ENG 409 (ret.)

I had a love of English and science. I dove into biology, chemistry and physics endeavoring to go to medical school. I still made time for writing/English along the way.
I took “ Contemporary American Poetry” in my Sophomore year and it challenged me. I still remember the class room and my classmates. I still remember Dr. Glover sitting before us and pulling us into that world of poetry and writing.  Cathy Perkins '84

In my sophomore year, I was very involved with playing electric guitar with friends - Jack Geortner, Rich Carlson, and eventually, others. I also had Albert as my English teacher. He was very encouraging of my playing, and I played numerous times at his home, with Pat. He opened up a big appreciation for the art and poetry of William Blake, and instilled an extra dose of self confidence about my music.  Bobby Becker '71

I only took one course with Professor Glover - just an intro survey of American literature, I think - and my primary interest was in fulfilling curriculum requirements. I really had no patience for poetry, so when he had us slogging through The Waste Land, it seemed to me impenetrable and deadly dull. Discussion of its structure and layers did little to alleviate the feeling that I was drowning in the poem. Then Dr. Glover did a recitation from it one day in class, though it might be more accurate to call it a performance. I remember thinking: wait...what? The rapidly shifting voices and expressions left my head spinning. How could that be the same monotonous text I was reading? All of that was in there? Punching through a closed mind and deaf ears, in the space of a single class the most boring thing in the world was made fascinating. That's a superpower which great teachers possess, and Professor Glover was definitely that. I have no recollection of how well I did in his class, but I know at the end of the semester I was very sorry it was over. Four decades later I still think of him with a smile any time I open a volume of poetry, which I probably wouldn't be doing at all if I hadn't stumbled into his course.  Jim Wavle '88