Colorado College Bulletin

The Van Metre-Beatty Family

By Lani Carroll Hinkle '83

Freshmen attire at CC changes from generation to generation. Nancy Lynch Beatty knows this because 10 family members have attended CC -- six from her generation and four from the next.   

“Back in our years, freshmen had special uniforms,” says Beatty.  “Men had to wear a black sweater (which they were not allowed to wash for six weeks), tan corduroys, and a beanie.  Women wore a green hair bow and a miniature paddle inscribed with their name around their neck.”  By the time Beatty’s son, two nephews, and their cousin entered CC in the late 70s and early 80s, the freshman “uniform” was likely to be a pair of Levis and an Oxford shirt -- maybe with a baseball cap on a bad hair day. 

Nancy Lynch ’56 met her husband, Harry Edward Beatty ’56, their first week at CC.  “We met at the freshman mixer and found out that our homes in Iowa were only 17 miles apart.”  Sometime later (probably after his black sweater was washed!), they decided to marry -- and did so two weeks after graduation.  Nancy’s sister, Celia, was introduced to Douglas Van Metre ’51 through long-time family friend Don Ribble ’52. These CC families have generously supported the college’s athletic programs, development efforts, and alumni activities for 50 years. 

Nancy Ann Lynch Beatty ’56 was an education major, a member of Delta Gamma, and swam with the Naiads synchronized swimming group at CC.  Her favorite memory of college years is of hockey games and parties at The Broadmoor. She now fills her time with volunteer and civic work in Cedar Rapids, as well as golf, gardening, and travel.   

Harry Edward (Ed) Beatty ’56 is a shareholder in the law firm of Lynch, Dallas, Smith & Harman in Cedar Rapids.  At CC, he was a member of Beta Theta Pi, Blue Key, and Growlers.  He also served as student council president and on the honor council.  His brother, Boyd D. Beatty, attended CC for one year and was also a Beta. 

Douglas C. Van Metre ’51, affectionately known as “Moose” by friends, is remembered as a varsity track and football star who was inducted into the CC Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997. As a student, he was named to the RMC all-conference offensive football team for three seasons and received honorable mention on the Little All-America team.  The stands at Washburn field are named after him for his lifelong support of CC athletics.  He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta. He is now involved in several broad-based businesses and serves as a trustee for Cornell College (the other Block Plan).  He lives in Marion, Iowa. 

David U. Van Metre ’59 played varsity football, and was a member of Phi Gamma Delta.  His mother, Mary Van Metre, served as house mother at McGregor in the early ‘60s.  David played one season with the LA Rams, where he described himself as “practice fodder.”  He is currently senior vice-president of Shearson Lehman Brothers in Omaha, Neb. 

Carol Ann Beery Van Metre ’60, an education major and a member of Kappa Alpha Theta, worked as a newspaper book reviewer in Omaha. Her father (Clifford Beery ‘28), two uncles (Arlington Beery ’29 and Dwight Beery), and a cousin (Sallie Beery ‘54) all attended CC. 

Douglas L. Van Metre ’81, sometimes known as “Chewy” on campus, was a business administration major, varsity football player, varsity swimmer, and a member of Kappa Sigma. Now the vice president of Wells Fargo in Wayzata, Minn., he helped create the fund for the Paul Best ’81 Memorial “Victory Bell” (to be placed between Washburn and Stewart fields) in honor of his classmate and friend. 

David E. Beatty ’81, a political science major, played varsity basketball, was a member of Sigma Chi and Blue Key, and was a disc jockey for KRCC.  An attorney, he is currently the executive director of Justice Solutions, a nonprofit organization that assists and deals with issues surrounding victims of violent crimes.  In 1996, President Clinton presented him with a Presidential Award for outstanding service on behalf of crime victims. He lives in Ashburn, VA.   

James U. Van Metre ’85 was a varsity football player and a member of Phi Gamma Delta, graduating magna cum laude in business economics.  He is currently with Muni Auction, an Internet trading company in Pittsburgh.   

Kent J. Van Metre ’88 was a varsity swimmer, a member Phi Delta Theta, and an economics major.  He is currently the director of advanced telecommunications for McLeod USA in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

As for the future of the legacy, there are nine potential CCers in the third generation.  One of them starts looking at colleges this year.

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