The fascinating faces of Michigan Mensa
Anton Anderssen
Issue date: 4/21/09 Section: Features
Mensa is a social organization for very special people - the top two percent of the population in terms of IQ scores. Although there are numerous professors, researchers, authors and lawyers who comprise this camaraderie of intelligentsia, a constellation of personalities representing divergent social classes share goodwill and lighthearted rapport in this unique society.
At the helm of Southeast Michigan Mensa is its local president, larger-than-life Ken Gass, who at six-feet-five-inches makes an astonishing first impression. Not only is he smart, he's a living example of intelligence in praxis. As Vice President of Wunderlich Securities in Birmingham, Gass is a whiz with money, as are many members of Mensa.
Mensa serves to provide intellectual stimulation beyond the traditional educational environment. Interaction increases knowledge without the trappings of exams or tedious papers to dampen the spirit of learning.
Local monthly meetings have themes - typically led by renowned figures. The last meeting featured Steve Alexander, a historian recognized by the US Congress and the Michigan and Ohio Senates as the foremost living re-enactor of General George Armstrong Custer. He's portrayed Custer in literally hundreds of live historical re-enactments, more than 20 A&E and History Channel programs, and even lives in Custer's former house in Monroe, which has been restored to look as it did in the 1860s. Alexander spoke, in full Custer regalia, about the famous general and his place in history.
The genius behind the themes is Mensa Vice-President Harley Berger, who has located and presented fascinating speakers for the past twelve years of his time-honored incumbency.
"I immensely enjoy the opportunity to put to together the monthly programs and presenting speakers on a wide variety of topics to an appreciative audience," Berger revealed. "This responsibility led to the program I produced last August with the last surviving crewman of the Enola Gay. It was gratifying to represent Mensa in a program attended by more than 400 members of the public. My favorite Mensa memory is directly related to the Enola Gay program. After all, how often do you get the chance to meet a man who changed history?"
At the helm of Southeast Michigan Mensa is its local president, larger-than-life Ken Gass, who at six-feet-five-inches makes an astonishing first impression. Not only is he smart, he's a living example of intelligence in praxis. As Vice President of Wunderlich Securities in Birmingham, Gass is a whiz with money, as are many members of Mensa.
Mensa serves to provide intellectual stimulation beyond the traditional educational environment. Interaction increases knowledge without the trappings of exams or tedious papers to dampen the spirit of learning.
Local monthly meetings have themes - typically led by renowned figures. The last meeting featured Steve Alexander, a historian recognized by the US Congress and the Michigan and Ohio Senates as the foremost living re-enactor of General George Armstrong Custer. He's portrayed Custer in literally hundreds of live historical re-enactments, more than 20 A&E and History Channel programs, and even lives in Custer's former house in Monroe, which has been restored to look as it did in the 1860s. Alexander spoke, in full Custer regalia, about the famous general and his place in history.
The genius behind the themes is Mensa Vice-President Harley Berger, who has located and presented fascinating speakers for the past twelve years of his time-honored incumbency.
"I immensely enjoy the opportunity to put to together the monthly programs and presenting speakers on a wide variety of topics to an appreciative audience," Berger revealed. "This responsibility led to the program I produced last August with the last surviving crewman of the Enola Gay. It was gratifying to represent Mensa in a program attended by more than 400 members of the public. My favorite Mensa memory is directly related to the Enola Gay program. After all, how often do you get the chance to meet a man who changed history?"
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 8
Mary Lanphier
posted 4/22/09 @ 11:27 AM EST
I was very unhappy to see my name in this article. I am not a member of Mensa. The Friday dinner group I attend is not a Mensa event. UTH is made up of current and former Mensa members and operates largely outside of SE Michigan Mensa. (Continued…)
Anton Anderssen
posted 4/22/09 @ 3:38 PM EST
I extend my greatest apologies to Mary Lanphier upon learning she was unhappy with my article. Mary sent an email to me with quotes to use in the story. (Continued…)
Former Member
posted 4/22/09 @ 8:30 PM EST
Mary Lanphier has legitimate gripes about Mensa. There is a clique of people who run the national group, and there are also certain members who used to run the local group whose dictatorships ran off a lot of members. (Continued…)
Editor
posted 4/23/09 @ 12:00 AM EST
Mary,
Your name and quote has been removed from the online article. We apologize for any problems.
zanzibar
Mary Lanphier
posted 4/23/09 @ 12:41 AM EST
Thank you for removing my name and quote from the article. I reread my reply to Anton's initial question and the only individual I mentioned in that reply was Anton who I was praising for his joie de vivre and versatality. (Continued…)
Anton Anderssen
posted 4/23/09 @ 1:34 AM EST
Again, I extend a public apology to Mary Lanphier. Apparently I have misread what you said in your email, and I accept 100% of the blame for the misunderstanding. (Continued…)
seo paslaugos
posted 3/30/10 @ 6:46 PM EST
A friend of mine directed me here and I wanted to comment and thank you for all your hard work.
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