Paul and Sandy Harmon

Life's Adventures

"IN LIFE, IT'S NOT WHERE YOU GO, IT'S WHO YOU TRAVEL WITH."
- Charles M. Schulz

Paul Harmon (C'64) found his way to the University of Dubuque through his high school chemistry teacher in Genoa, Illinois, who was friends with a UD recruiter. Paul visited campus along with the teacher's son Jerry Roberts (C'64) and met with the recruiter in Steffens Hall.

"Steffens Hall was a big deal at the time. I remember professors, the registrar, and others stopping by to talk to us and I thought it was so friendly, so I just decided this is where I was going," Paul said.

It was through youth ministers at her church that Sandy Davidson (C'64) found her way to UD. The two ministers were UD graduates.

It was move in day 1960 when Paul and Sandy first met. Sandy was in Severance Lounge and Paul was already a reporter for the student newspaper interviewing new students. Paul and Sandy became good friends over the first year.

"It was a good way to meet," Sandy said.

By sophomore year, the two started dating. They enjoyed going to movies. However, Sandy sometimes had to get permission when movies were long and they would be out past the women's 10:00 p.m. curfew.

Since Sandy was a history education major and Paul a history major, they had several classes together and recalled Professor Rozeboom as a favorite professor. He was also their advisor and university registrar, so they always got the classes they wanted. Outside of their studies, the couple enjoyed playing long bridge games and spending time with friends in the Student Union in Peters Commons.

Additionally, Paul stayed active with the student newspaper, serving as editor his senior year, and was involved in student government for three years. Sandy was Aitchison dorm president and president of the Zeta Phi sorority. Paul was a Thirteener.

Sandy's younger sister Kathy (Davidson) Davis (C'70) also attended the University of Dubuque.

Paul and Sandy had talked about marriage and spending their lives together, but in spring 1964 Paul decided it was time to make it official. The two left for a walk and were crossing the pedestrian bridge over U.S. 20 when he popped the question.

"I knew he was going to propose, but I certainly didn't expect it then," Sandy said.

The couple graduated in June 1964 and were married on August 15, 1964, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Waterloo, Iowa. Their wedding party was mostly UD graduates: Kathy (Davidson) Davis (C'70), Shirley (Ackland) Meyer (C'64), Linda (Harken) Brooks (C'65), Bruce Schmidt (C'64), David McKenzie (C'63), and Bill Svrluga (C'66). A reception followed in the church fellowship hall with cake, punch, and ice cream. A post party was held that evening at Sandy's parents' home and they "honeymooned" in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The newlyweds moved to Clinton, Iowa, for a year while Paul worked for Standard Brands and Sandy taught at the high school.

Life then took the couple to Illinois as Paul began law school at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Sandy worked at the UI library for one year before teaching seventh, ninth, and eleventh grades in Homer, Illinois, for two years.

"I had to put food on the table while Paul was in law school," Sandy said with a smile.

"The best thing about law school was that it taught me that the world is not black and white but various shades of gray," said Paul.

As Paul was nearing the end of his schooling, his faculty advisor, who was also his tax professor, told him to interview with the Illinois Farm Bureau. That proved to be a good suggestion as Paul began his 39-year career with the Illinois Farm Bureau. He served as deputy general counsel from 1991 until he was named General Counsel in 1996. He then spent over 11 years as the chief lawyer for the Illinois Farm Bureau and its affiliated companies including Country Financial.

Once Paul had completed his education, Sandy decided to go back to school to get her master's degree in history in Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois. She later earned her doctor of arts in history there. After obtaining her master's, Sandy worked one year at the Illinois State University library and then taught for a year at ISU's University High School, before being offered a position in the ISU history department. She would go on to create the department's first women's history courses and co-create the women's studies program at the University, one of the earlier programs in the country.

Outside of their careers, Paul and Sandy stayed active in their community as well.

Paul served on the Normal Town Council for nine years. He was about to retire from his role on the council when he got the support of his peers and decided to run for mayor. He served as mayor of Normal from 1985 to 1993. Being mayor brought the couple many interesting experiences, such as traveling to Japan and the Soviet Union. Paul also spent 17 years on the Central Illinois Regional Airport board, serving as chairman for nine years. He was active with the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation for 10 years, three of which were as president. Paul was recognized for his community involvement in 1994 when he received the Service to Community Award from the University of Dubuque.

In addition to numerous other community activities, Sandy has spent 22 years on the board of the McLean County Museum of History. The museum is one of the 5% of accredited museums in the country.

Along with their community activities, the Harmons joined First Presbyterian Church of Normal in 1975 and over the years both have served on session and on many church committees.

Sandy retired in 2004 and Paul in 2008. She enjoyed retirement immediately, but Sandy said it took Paul a couple of years to get used to the change of pace and to start enjoying retirement.

Paul and Sandy enjoy traveling and have been to more than 70 countries on six continents. Their adventures have included an African safari in Kenya and Tanzania, exploring Mayan ruins in Central America, and taking a 13-day raft trip through the Grand Canyon, complete with sleeping on the canyon beaches at night.

They have also enjoyed trips to New York City both for business and on ISU sponsored theatre trips.

Paul said "I remember there was a huge snow storm in 1983. We were in town for a conference but the city was shut down and we could walk in the streets. On a walk we decided to see if we could get tickets to a show at the last minute by going to the theatre. Because of the snow storm, we got 10^th row seats for the original cast of Cats. While the city was shut down and people couldn't get into town, the show must go on."

The Harmons often take trips to celebrate their anniversaries, starting with their four-years anniversary trip to New Orleans. Since then, they have celebrated milestone anniversaries. Year 20 took them to Jamaica, year 30 they ventured to Alaska, year 40 they celebrated in beautiful Hawaii, and year 50 they traveled to Scandinavia.

Most recently, these two UD Spartans had an unforgettable trip to northern Italy and are looking forward to traveling again soon.