25th REUNION GIFTS

Alumni Council Promotes Important Class Plan

WITH ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE ALUMNI COUNCIL of substantial progress on its plans for 25th Reunion Gifts by Dartmouth classes, a request has been sent to class officers for as much activity as possible this fall. In the new series of cash gifts to the College at the time of 25th reunions six classes have now established Class Memorial Funds totaling $44,710.10. The most substantial of these was turned over to President Hopkins by the class of 1918 this summer. Its 25th Reunion Gift totaled $20,671.67.

E. E. Martin '19 of New York City is chairman of the Committee on Class Gifts of the Alumni Council. The other members are: J. W. Embree Jr. '21 of Chicago, C. A. Randall '27 of Milwaukee, C. Weymouth '26 of Rochester, N. V.. and R. F. Haffenreffer 3rd '25 of Bristol, R. I. In the recent bulletin to class officers Mr. Martin's committee described Reunion Gifts to the College as a project of great importance in Dartmouth affairs. Consideration for establishing a fund of this nature in every class that has not already taken action to date is requested by the Council Committee.

GIFTS MADE FOR MANY YEARS

Major 25th Reunion Gifts have been made through the years by several classes. In 1919 the class of 1894 presented an anniversary gift to the College amounting to $25,664. In 1925 the class of 1900 provided funds to build and equip the Outing Club House in Hanover. At the 40th reunion of the class of 1900 a substantial additional contribution provided for improvements to the DOC House. Other classes at reunions have given funds and special gifts. Five years ago the class of 1913 inaugurated the present plan of a gift of money to the College at the 25th reunion.

The 25th Reunion Gift idea, now firmly established among many Dartmouth classes, is a means of providing the College with endowment funds. It is a fund of a permanent nature to which men have proved their willingness to give substantial sums in the years preceding reunions, and in addition to what they give annually to the Alumni Fund. The Reunion Gift often takes the form of a Class Memorial Fund, providing a vehicle for families and classmates of deceased members to give much needed support to the College. The Class Funds are set up within the structure of the Alumni Fund, with annual income credited to the class achievement in the Alumni Fund campaigns. Thus, the Reunion Gift, or Class Fund, is tied into Dartmouth alumni support of the College with the Alumni Fund and both projects are designed to strengthen each other.

Officers of the class of 1919 have announced that a substantial amount will be turned over to the College next year which marks the 25th reunion of the class. Plans are under way in several classes in the 20's and some classes in the 30's with committees at work and the beginnings of class gifts already deposited with the College to be increased through annual contributions.

Mr. Martin's committee has asked older classes, where the Class Memorial Fund plan has not been in operation, also to consider its adoption. The existence of a Class Memorial Fund provides a means for men to make gifts whenever they are free to do so and to provide a modest bequest to the College to be credited to the Class Fund.

Emphasis is placed on the need for thorough and early organization in the younger classes. It is recommended that a committee be named in each class, where this has not already been done, with a rotating chairmanship. During the organization period it is important for the committee to work closely with the class agent, the class secretary, and treasurer to coordinate all class activities and to achieve the purpose of strengthening both the Alumni Fund showing of the class and the Reunion Gift which are designed to supplement each other.

INCOME TAX DEDUCTIONS

The Alumni Council poin-ts to the fact that gifts to Class Funds may be made payable to Dartmouth College and deducted from income tax returns.

War bonds may be turned over to Class Funds: The suggestion is made that men on the pay roll deduction plan may arrange to have some bonds made out to the College rather than to themselves. Bonds given in this manner should be made out to: TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE, A CORPORATION, HANOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

One important factor in the Class Gift plan is the availability of a period of time in which to build the principal amount of the gift. Classes that start their plans early have a number of years in which accruals from annual contributions will, by the 25th reunion, provide a substantial and impressive total. In the years after the 25th further additions, whenever men are able to make them, will continue to increase the principal sum.

In writing President Hopkins about the establishment of the 1937 Class Fund, Arthur H. Ruggles Jr., treasurer, said: "The first War Bond has already been purchased and is for $1,000.00. We hope that in the next twenty years we will be able to build up a gift that will be the envy of all Dartmouth classes."

No project has been inaugurated in the recent history of the College that promises to be of greater service and importance than does the Reunion Gift plan.

RECORD OF 25TH REUNION GIFTS FOR PAST SIX YEARS

At their 25th reunions, in recent years, the classes listed below gave original amounts as shown, with subsequent additions also listed:

TotalClass Original 25th Gift Year of Gift Subsequent Additions to Date 1913 $ 918.75 193s $ 505-00 $ 1 423.75 1914 372.24 1939 2 123-65 2 495.89 1915 7 774.32 1940 1 360.00 9 134.32 1916 4 000.00 1941 313.97 4 313.97 1917 6 661.50 1942 9.00 6 670.50 1918 20 671.67 1943 20 671.67 Total of all Class Gifts to Date $44 710.10

ALUMNI COUNCIL PRESIDENT J. William Embree Jr. '21, who will lead the Boston meeting Nov. 12 at which gifts will be discussed.

Secretary, Dartmouth Alumni Council