When Margaret Sandzén [Greenough] was away from home, her mother Alfrida [Mrs. Birger] Sandzén kept her fully abreast of events at home. Included in a long letter written on Sunday, December 18, 1932, is the news of a trip made to Manhattan, Kansas, so that Birger Sandzén could give a talk in the home of good friends to "the oldest woman's club in Kansas," founded 55 years before. The following is a key paragraph, slightly edited:

After a group of piano numbers and a group of songs, came the speaker of the afternoon -Birger Sandzén. As he stood up, all the lights were turned on -so he stood there in full blaze. Daddy spoke as one inspired and became eloquent. But when he launched out on his pet theme "deans"! I caught my breath. Goodness, the room was full of deans, and I was sitting at the side so I couldn't nod my disapproval. The hostess said I got redder and redder as Daddy poured forth his invectives half humorously and half in earnest. There at my right sat Mrs. Wilber, wife of the dean of the whole institution. I looked across the table and there on the sofa sat Dean Justin -a very important personage. In the background was our host Davis, dean of the English department, and wherever I looked I saw deans. and more deans.

Events leading up to this point as well as the audience reaction are included in fuller excerpts of the letter, found in the Winter 2002 Gallery Notes, distributed to all Gallery members.

Birger Sandzén in his studio circa 1930, Gallery Archives photograph.