Talk Back to Teacher

ON THE SCORE of good and worthwhile relations between alumni and the College in Hanover nothing is more encouraging than the growing interest among alumni clubs and associations in having members of the faculty as guests and speakers at special supper and evening meetings.

President Hopkins has in almost every year of his administration carried a terrific burden of traveling and speaking, interpreting Dartmouth to a host of alumni and friends of the College. No one can adequately substitute for him. Merely the announcement that he will speak means a crowded meeting place with an attentive and devoted body of listeners to his remarks on the fundamental policies of the College. Other officers of administration should for their own good keep in close touch with the alumni; and their messages are always welcomed and valued. It is a recent and gratifying movement that is indicated by requests of numerous alumni groups for talks by teachers, on subjects within their fields of teaching.

During the current open season on alumni dinners there have been numerous meetings with members of the faculty. The Boston alumni deserve a palm for carrying on their innovation of last year of arranging supper meetings with discussion of a subject of broad interest, led by a member of the College staff.

The Washington Association wanted to learn what the social sciences are teaching undergraduates about government, and also provide alumni with a means (the notice read) to "fulfill that lifetime urge to talk back to the teacher." More from the Washington announcement: "Is the College keeping undergraduates abreast of social and economic legislation, and are faculty members giving students a fair picture? Are professors as black as they are painted, or do they have lucid intervals? You have a right to know, and Professor Tobin is coming down wearing a bullet proof vest and barring no holds. You are invited to indulge in a catch-as-catch-can discussion following his explanation of the College program in this important sector."

One result of the Washington meeting was that Harold Tobin learned something in the lively discussion with the alumni, and brought it back to his colleagues and students.