Commencement: The 162nd Year

The Class of '79 Trumpeters, eight men in cap and gown, appeared at their posts high up on the Baker Library tower at sunset Friday, June 12, and with their music pealing over a campus green and lush with much rain formally opened the Commencement closing Dartmouth's 162 nd year. Beautiful weather under a cheery long-awaited sun continued through Monday forenoon, and the occasional showers afterwards occurred fortuitously at times that did not interfere with Commencement activities.

The Commencement season thus auspiciously begun pursued pleasantly its traditional sequence, with more than 500 alumni attending reunions and nearly 2000 people, including alumni and the graduating class and families, in attendance at the functions that filled four days.

One event, however, that distinguishes this Commencement from many others similar to it in traditional program occurred at the alumni luncheon Monday. Commemorating the thirtieth anniversary of President Hopkins' graduation and the fifteenth year of his leadership of the College, a beautiful silver service was presented to the President in behalf of the alumni by Channing H. Cox '01, president of the alumni association. This occurred just before the President's address at the end of the luncheon program. Mr. Cox, making the presentation speech, read a congratulatory cablegram from Edward Tuck '62 and presented the silver service, saying that past and present members of the board of trustees and of the Alumni Council and some friends had presumed to act in behalf of all of the alumni. The alumni rose with their applause. And in such an emotional setting as to make speaking immeasurably difficult, the President spoke in response and gave an address of which there is, unfortunately, no record.

In making the presentation, Mr. Cox enumerated some of the major achievements of the past 15 years. "The past and present trustees," he said in closing, "the past and present members of the Alumni Council, and a few friends have presumed to act for the 14,000 living Dartmouth alumni. In their name I ask you, President Hopkins, to accept this token of their high esteem and profound gratitude. This service bears an inscription which testifies to the affection in which you are held by your Dartmouth family. In its daily use may you be reminded of the great army of eager, loyal and devoted Dartmouth men who are ready to answer your call. May you likewise be assured that in dedicating your life to Dartmouth you have found limitless opportunity. Because you have given most to Dartmouth you stand first among Dartmouth men."

PRESIDENT HOPKLNS