Dean Laycock's Message

Six YEARS AGO, at about this time in the spring, Dean Craven Laycock '96 sent a message to all Dartmouth men. That letter went, in 1934 when he was retiring from his lifework in Hanover, to everyone who had ever spent from one day to many years in association with the College. The first page of the folder carried a photograph of Craven that many a man framed for his home or office. It was signed as it is below. The message read:

"To those of us who have watched withkeen interest the development and growthof the Alumni Fund, it has been particularly gratifying to note that those in responsible relations to the Fund have hadthe courage, and insight to establish the'No Quota' campaigns of the past twoyears.

"Now as this year's campaign is nearingits close, I am reminded of the conviction-growing clearer through the past decadeas I have watched the large young classesequal in loyalty and devotion the olderclasses, and immeasurably strengthened bymy personal experiences in my extensivevisits among the alumni groups during thelast year—that, in the long run, the financialfortunes of the college are assured. Our men are giving generously and many,whose circumstances do not justify theirgiving at this time, match any of us intheir interest in and devotion to the College.

"It is very heartening, therefore, to learnthat subscriptions to the Fund, both innumber of contributors and amount contributed, are twenty per cent ahead of thefigures recorded at this date last year.

"The College awaits, with great confidence, the complete response of her sons!"