Thayer School

THE COLLEGE'S PLAN to train several hundred V-12 students in the full curriculum for deck candidates has brought about a considerable increase in the staff of the Thayer School. This curriculum includes courses in elementary heat power and elementary electrical engineering required in the third and fourth term work. Since both these courses include laboratory as well as lecture-recitation periods, many sections will have to be taught separately in order to conform with both the Navy's and Thayer School's desire for individualized instruction in small groups. Professor Ermenc will be in charge of the heat power work and Professor Schutz of the electrical engineering.

Assisting in the instruction of these new courses will be four recent graduates of the School. Paul Sherman Staples Jr., who received the degree of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in October, reported for work the first of November as Instructor in Mechanical Engineering. Leßoy Frank Briggs, Jr., and Malcolm Douglas Corner, who received the degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in October are continuing their studies in special courses and acting as Assistants in Engineering during the current term. Beginning next spring, it is expected that these men will be assigned regular instruction duties.

It is a pleasure to welcome back to Thayer School John Minot Hirst '3g as Instructor in Electrical Engineering. John expects to report for duty January first. Since graduation, he has been connected with the Boston and Maine Railroad and more recently with the Factory Mutual Insurance Company. Mrs. Hirst and their three-year-old son Grant will accompany John to Hanover and will be most welcome additions to two generations of Hanover society.

Lieutenant (jg) Charlie Hitchcock '39 visited Hanover for a few days last month on leave from the Civil Engineer Corps which he joined a year ago after serving as Instructor at the School during the summer of 1942. Charlie has just returned to this country with his Seabee Construction Battalion after nine months at a foreign station in northern climates which I suppose even now shouldn't be named. In spite of having added twenty-five pounds to his weight, Charlie insists that they keep him busy. Northern climates seem to agree with him. (Incidentally, Lieutenant (jg) Jack Guenther '42 also recently visited Hanover under identical conditions, including the twenty-five pounds!). While Charlie was here, Dean Garran drafted him to talk to the engineering students on the work of the Civil Engineer Corps. He did a fine job and answered many questions from the boys who anticipate the same kind of duty within a relatively short time. It was a rare opportunity for them to get * first-hand information about what lies ahead of them.

A letter from Ad Ziegler '37 advises us that he is now an Associate Structural Engineer at the Princeton University Station of the National Defense Research Committee and enjoying the work very much. As I understand it, Ad is on leave of absence from the American Bridge Company where he has worked since graduation. Earlier this year, he worked as a stress analyst for the Fairchild Aircraft Division in the New York Office. He reports that while with Fairchild he worked with Joe Walsh '3O and Ed Mitchell 'l3- The Zieglers' address is 10 Rolling Mead, Princeton, N. J.

Through A 1 Hazen '4O, we hear that Larry Falls '43 has completed his basic training in the Army Engineer Corps "with the combat engineers, building bridges, etc., including putting up and taking down a bridge of 185-ft. span in 16 minutes total time, with no mechanical equipment." Larry expected to take a six-months course in Sanitary Engineering under the A.S.T.P. beginning last month. So far, we've had no confirmation from Larry. About himself, A 1 merely reported that he had discovered a model railroader living within ten miles of him down in Maine and so expects to get them rolling again.

The Thayer School staff has asked me to express the season's greetings to all alumni, and I take this opportunity of doing so. May the Christmas spirit be with you all and your hopes for the new year be fully realized.