SATURDAY MORNING SESSION
The Alumni Fund
As the first speaker of the morning Sidney C. Hayward '26, Executive Secretary of the Alumni Fund, was asked to report the progress of this year's activities. He stated as the key note for the fund appeal this year that of investment in the College and in the present opportunity of using to" the utmost the leadership of President Hopkins. In outlining the campaign of the Fund Committee he showed reliance upon two main factors: the class agents and the nine fund appeals and showed the attempts made to co-ordinate the appeals with the activity of the agent. The various mailing pieces were briefly explained and it was shown how the attempt was made to interest through them the large body of younger alumni and to emphasize the key note of investment in the College. In a selected group of classes a later start was made than in previous years with the intention of discovering how concentrated and intensive a campaign might be made. The contributions to the Fund up to the date of the meeting were shown to be larger in amount by about $6,000 and the average gift about $2 greater while the number of givers was practically the same. This statement, however, should not lead to optimism since a larger proportion than usual of the large givers have already made their contributions. Finally, Mr. Hayward emphasized the purpose of the Fund now, to be continued progress and maintenance of the advance already made rather than the earlier motives of saving the College from financial disaster.
At the conclusion of this talk it was voted that the meeting adjourn to attend chapel in a body. As the secretaries left Parkhurst Hall the opportunity was also taken to obtain a moving picture film of the group.
The Alumni and the College
On reassembling after the chapel exercises President Parkinson called on the next speaker, Victor M. Cutter '03, to discuss the subject "The Alumni and the College." Mr. Cutter as a member of the Alumni Council devoted part of his talk to the activities of that body, stating as the outstanding functions the nomination of the alumni trustees of the Collage, the administration of the Alumni Fund, and the supervision of alumni investigation of applicants under the Selective Process. He emphasized the fundamental principle of all the work undertaken by the Council as that of service to the College rather than of the advancement of personal or special interests. He paid a tribute to the men on the Council who had previously made notable records in the direction of the Alumni Fund and told of the value to the alumni who have directed the investigation of applicants to the College aside from any value that this may have had for work of selection itself. Mr. Cutter's observations on the proper relations between alumni and college were interesting and stimulating. To quote from his address: "The present difference between Dartmouth and other colleges lies in the fact that in addition to great educational ability in our faculty we also have a business organization which stimulates and co-ordinates all college activities. Many colleges have the first, but few the last. The second great difference is that Dartmouth, as does no other college, co-ordinates all the various alumni organizations and associations and unites them under the administrative leadership of the President."
Probably our alumni body differs in no marked degree from that of other colleges and shows its interest in ways normal to alumni but Dartmouth College will survive as an educational institution without the traditional alumni interest in reunions and athletics because it has been taken so completely into the confidence of the administration on the educational aims of the College and given to understand that even ordinary business men may be helpful in this main purpose of the College. Our alumni have a knowledge, as perhaps no other alumni body has, of what the College is doing and proposing to do.
In conclusion Mr. Cutter expressed the hope that the alumni might become even more active for and interested in Dartmouth as an educational center and as a means for making continuous the education of alumni. He further suggested that perhaps the greatest asset of the College now and in the future lies in the rapidly increasing alumni body providing these men so shape their business and cultural careers as to impress indelibly upon the community the value of a liberal college education.
A Survey of Class Reports
CHARLES H. DONAHUE '99
Judge Donahue had been secretary of his class from 1909-14 and was no stranger at the sessions of these meetings and his talk on this occasion was an impressive and inspiring message from one who typifies the idealism and devotion of the Dartmouth relationships. He expounded the philosophy of a good class report showing how it comes automatically to every member of the class as the voice of Dartmouth, possibly the only voice crying in the desert of materialism in which the recipient may be living. Reunions never call 100% of the class together. A class report may do this and may weld a group of men into a conscious unit capable of taking a part in shaping the lives of the men and inspiring them in health and happiness and caring for them in times of distress of body and mind.
A class report may make a current year a permanent record of the doings of the men of the class. A file of good Dartmouth reports should enable a stranger to read them and have a fairly accurate idea of the men of the class. They will deal with little things but there is plenty of tragedy, romance and heroism in little things.
The reports, too, will vary with the age of a class. The first stage is the experimental period when occupations and addresses are constantly changing; then comes the domestic stage when families must be incorporated into the class; the third is the period of achievement when there are not many bare facts to tell; and finally the period of declining years and lessening numbers and with the class still an indestructible unit. Judge Donahue hoped that he might have the privilege of being secretary of his class at this final period, the richest and most satisfactory time of all. A good class report can continue into these later years the spirit of loyalty that is built not on the material college but on the personal friendships, memories and traditions that have entered into its life.
In conclusion Judge Donahue analyzed briefly the reports of the last year giving particularly honorable mention to those of 1876 and 1877 which had continued in unbroken line year after year since graduation. The recent report of 1917 was also highly commended as embodying the qualities that help to weld a class together as a unit. The other reports of the year also came in for high praise and the impression left with the secretaries was certainly one of stimulation and encouragement for this very important part of their official duties.
Filming the College
Orton H. Hicks '21 and Sidney C. Hayward '26 explained plans now being formulated for obtaining current moving pictures of the life of the College and making them available for the use of alumni associations. It was hoped to obtain four film releases during the year: That in October to feature the Commencement activities, the opening of college and Delta Alpha; the December release, largely devoted to football pictures; in March, the Winter Carnival and other winter sports; and in June the events of the spring with any special features as they might occur during the year. Each film would be 400 feet in length and take about sixteen minutes to run and it was estimated that the cost would not exceed $10. to any one association if a reasonable number subscribed for the service. While the plans were still entirely tentative enough work had already been done to make it evident that they were quite practicable if sufficient alumni interest was shown. Recent pictures were then thrown on the screen as an illustration of what had already been done. The resulting discussion showed a lively interest among the representatives of associations and it was
Voted: That the Secretaries Association approve the inauguration of the plan for release of news reels as outlined and that the Executive Committee be empowered to act as may be necessary to put this into effect.
This concluded the formal business meeting.
Before the reports of the Committees on Nominations and Resolutions were received it was moved and
Voted: That the secretary be asked to write Dr. Carl H. Rust of Cleveland expressing the deep sympathy of the Secretaries association in the recent death of his son by drowning.
It .was also moved and Voted': That the secretaries express their appreciation of the survey of class reports just given by Judge Donahue.
Speaking for the Dartmouth Club of New York, Malcolm G. Rollins '11, secretary of the Club, made the request that class secretaries file their reports at the Club where there was a constant demand for this type of literature. He also made preliminary announcement of a proposed Dartmouth tour to the West Indies next winter. The details are not yet worked out but it is expected that it will take about three weeks and cost from $350 up. It was hoped that there would be a good response to this opportunity of a Dartmouth reunion in mid-winter and details will be sent to the associations later.
The Committee on Resolutions was then called upon and reported through its chairman, Mr. A. E. Watson '83, the followin gresolutions which were adopted unanimously.
1. This Association notes with deep regret the deceases of the following class secretaries during the past year:
Henry I. Cushman '65, one of the older members of the Association.
William B. Forbush '88, who was secretary of his class from graduation until the time of his death.
Professor Lemuel S. Hastings '70, a longtime valuable member of the faculty.
In deploring their deaths we express high appreciation of their loyal services in the past as members of our Association.
2. That this Association records its appreciation of the presence at this meeting of the four secretaries who graduated from College more than sixty years ago: John Scales '63, William T. Gage '64, Henry Whittemore '66, Arthur W. Dudley '67, and extends cordial greetings to the four older class secretaries: Roger S. Green '59, Samuel H. Jackman '60, Edward D. Redington '61 and Fred W. Eveleth '62 who are unable to attend our meeting.
3. We congratulate the College upon the munificent gifts received during the past year from Randolph McNutt, Frank P. Carpenter and Edwin W. Sanborn, together with certain conspicuous anonymous bequests.
While we recognize with satisfaction the marked improvement in the physical plant of the College, we especially commend the administration in its strengthening of the faculty.
4. We acknowledge with satisfaction and gratitude our obligations to our officers and executive committee for their continuing efforts to make the work of this Association each year more effective and far-reaching.
In this connection we thank the Fitchburg Normal School for pre-sending the Association, through President Parkinson, a gavel which has been in use at this meeting and which we hope in the future will aid in continuing orderly sessions.
5. This Association, highly appreciating the gracious hospitality which the College continues to tender to its members at its annual meetings, would make grateful acknowledgment for th e entertainment and courtesies enjoyed, with assurances to the administration that it will always be ready to cooperate in any way possible for the best interests of the College.
The Committee on Nominations then presented the following officers:
President Frederick Chase '05 Vice-president Henry W. Stevens '75 Secretary and Treasurer Eugene F. Clark '01 Executive Committee Frederick Chase '05 Henry W. Stevens '75 Eugene F. Clark '01 Charles P. Woodworth '07 Allen M. Cate '20. Member of the Alumni Council for Three Years Joseph W. Worthen '09 Managing Editor of the ALUMNI MAGAZINE for One Year Professor Eric P. Kelly '06 It was Voted: That the secretary cast one ballot for the nominations as made. The meeting then adjourned.
The afternoon was spent by the secretaries ill visits to the Baker Library, the new Science Hall, and Dick's House as well as seeing the athletic events on Memorial Field and using the golf links as guests of the Hanover Country Club.
In the evening those secretaries who were still in Hanover attended a performance of "The Pirates of Penzance" given by the Hanover Community Chorus under the direction of Professor Fred M. Longhurst featuring among its stars some residents of Hanover long known to the members of the Association.
