1946
As this is the first appearance of a '46 column under Class Notes, I shall not guarantee a thing. I will, however, try to bring to you all the news of our class at my disposal. Please forgive me if my report is not complete, but as yet there has been no adequate means of compiling the news.
Our class, which at one time totaled 597 men, has quickly dwindled in size. The '46 aggregation is now widespread o'er the nation in all branches of the service, and as more fellows are "pulling stakes" and leaving every day, the attendance at Freshman Commons has hit a new low of 354.
At last, the class of 1946 is getting organized. During the past two weeks here in Hanover, a great deal has been accomplished towards unifying our class. For the purpose of securing class organization, spirit, and cooperation, the '46s have elected an Executive Council, including an Executive-Secretary and an Executive-Treasurer. This election was held under the auspices of Palaeopitus, and the new officials are already working wholeheartedly at their task. The Council consists of the following men: Harold S. Bowman, Executive-Secretary, Charles T. Duncan, Executive-Treasurer, Carl R. McKinnon, Nick Vorys, James M. Coleman Jr., Audley Brindley, Gary C. Jacobus, and Reginald F. Pierce.
The first undertaking of this newly elected council is the publishing of a class newsletter. This letter is to be sent to every member of the class of 1946, whether he is in Hanover or overseas, and will include a complete list of all '46s who have left to join the armed forces plus all other class news and activities. The Council members are now in the process of making an extensive campus search for news of '46 men in the service, and have placed a box in Freshman Commons so that all may contribute.
Because our class has rallied to the cause in such a valiant manner, and because very soon many more of us will enter the classrooms robed in military garb, the idea of class unity becomes a greater problem. We believe that these newsletters will greatly help to solve the problem.
The first edition of the newsletter, which will be sent out any day now, will contain news that the Council itself has collected. However, I urge each and every reader to send in news of any '46 in the service, and especially accounts of personal experiences. The success of these newsletters depends pends on the cooperation of the fellows in the armed forces writing about themselves as well as other members of the class, so all letters will be warmly accepted. According to present plans, another letter will be published during the intersession. The Council will also arrange for the collection of class dues, a class reunion, and will see that class affairs in general will function smoothly.
The first member of our class to join the forces was Nelson Steele Bryant Jr. of West Tisbury, Massachusetts. The distinction of being the latest members of the Class of 1946 to enter service, at the time of this writing, can be claimed simultaneously by approximately eight fellows, all of who have left within a period of two days. Some are being swallowed by the draft—others are volunteering. James M. Coleman Jr., sensational freshman guard on the Big Green's championship basketball team, and who has distinguished himself as a "great guy" with everyone who knows him, is among those who will not answer the bell when it rings in the summer intersession.
The Class of 1946 has fared well during the trying ten months it has existed. It is well represented in all phases of college life, and Dartmouth has come to rely on many freshmen to fill the gap that was previously occupied by upperclassmen. Whether in athletics, studies, leadership, or music, '46s have come through in fine style and may well be proud of their records.
The Class of '46 has blossomed, and is forging ahead despite the fact that Hitler and Hirohito have temporarily disturbed our peace-loving college. Notice that I said temporarily, for someday the Class of 1946 will once again assemble in the halls of Dartmouth—whether it be next year for classes, or five years hence as a reunion. Our class may be scattered over the face of the earth before this war is over, and even though we may be separated by thousands of miles of sea and land, our hearts will always beat as one for Dartmouth.
Secretary-Chairman, 206 Crosby Hall, Hanover, N. H. Treasurer, 410 Hitchcock Hall, Hanover, N. H
