On Friday, May 10, Michael Denning’s AP European History class welcomed guest speaker Richard Seiler ’59. Seiler, a native of Strasbourg, France spent his senior year at Nobles as part of the American Field Studies (AFS) program, which sends international students to the United States. During that year, he lived in Wellesley with the family of classmate Steve Grant ’59. Since graduating from Nobles, Seiler has remain connected to the school and many of his classmates. In 2007, prior to their 50th Reunion, a group of 15 members of the class of 1959 took a trip overseas to France to visit Seiler. They explored Strasbourg and Colmar in Alsace, and enjoyed a farewell banquet in Paris with their former Nobles French teacher Michel Bevillard.
Seiler, who has had a distinguished career in journalism and history, spoke to the students about the current state of affairs in Europe, including the rise of nationalism throughout the continent. He warned them of the dangers of forgetting the past. “This is why history is important,” he explained. “We must never forget.” He also discussed an array of current events and specific articles that examined the role of the European Union in the world today.
Students were engaged, asking him questions about global politics, World War II and his Nobles experience. Seiler’s visit was a wonderful way to start the 60th Reunion weekend celebration and a memorable learning experience for today’s students.
