Reverend George Wheat ’50 has contacts in the kaleidoscope business. He’s made friends with collage artists and military poets. In fact, during his 14 years as chief of chaplain services at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Grand Island, Neb., Wheat, now retired, encountered many uniquely talented individuals.

Patients at the center, which specializes in ambulatory, rehabilitative, and extended care, are encouraged to deal with hospitalization by exploring creative outlets; some vets sell their works. One veteran specialized in collages ranging in themes from spirituality to patriotism to various professions. “He enriched a lot of peoples’ lives with those collages,” says Wheat.

The kaleidoscope craftsman “had a hobby and ended up making it into an income-making activity,” says Wheat. “This was one of my goals: encourage people to use their abilities.” Beyond collages and kaleidoscopes, he encouraged singers, writers, and painters to further develop their talents. He believes that nurturing the development of these talents enhances patients’ spiritual lives.

Wheat describes “special challenges” in ministering to some patients — particularly recent amputees, those seated in wheelchairs, and the terminally ill. Chaplains and other clinical personnel sometimes struggle to help these patients deal with the psychological hardships that accompany a major trauma. One wheelchair user, however, organized a campaign that collected hundreds of thousands of soda can tabs, generating thousands of dollars to benefit Ronald McDonald houses all over the U.S. “All these represent efforts to encourage individuals to express their talents and interests to benefit self and others,” Wheat summarizes.

Wheat recalls a “discipline of study” at Colorado College that helped him succeed later in life, and has fond memories of relationships with students and faculty alike. He is thankful for having had the chance to work with so many gifted individuals at the center who have been generous during their creative journeys, saying, “It really gives you a lot of encouragement about doing that kind of work.”

Help CC students find opportunity on the front lines of a changing world.
Support public interest fellowships at publicinterest@ColoradoCollege.edu