The Class Fund Year
With a record-breaking gift of $126,000 from 1926 in June, the total Class Memorial Fund endowment now stands at $770,000.
THE HIGH SPOT of the Class Fund year just concluded was unquestionably the record-breaking gift of $126,000 presented by the Class of 1926. This gift, only a part of the Combined Fund total of $142,000 raised by the class, exceeded the previous record of 1925 by about $14,000, and 1923's famous achievement by $19,000. A special summary of 1926's campaign written by its co-chairmen follows this report.
The effect of 1926's accomplishment on the over-all Class Fund was tremendous; combined with the additions of other classes, it brings the total of all funds above the three-quarter million mark to $770,000. This large total has been added to Dartmouth's permanent endowment by alumni since 1938 in addition to their continuing participation in the annual Alumni Fund.
In accordance with Alumni Council policy the five classes 1927 through 1931 are actively campaigning for additions to their funds during the current fall period. The greatest activity will center around next year's 25th reunion class, 1927, in a campaign headed by Harry B. Cummings of Pittsburgh. Between now and June, leaders in the class will attempt to add in excess of $100,000 to 1927's current total. The classes 1928 through 1931, under the chairmanship of George Pasfield '28, Jack D. Gunther '29, Clifford W. Michel '30, and Charles S. McAllister '31, will solicit additions to their current totals as shown in the table on the opposite page.
It is expected that there will be little active campaigning among post-25th classes in accordance with the suggestion recently made by the Development Council that Memorial Fund solicitations be discontinued at the time of the 35th Reunion in favor of increased Alumni Fund activity and a new bequests program. These funds will always be available for those who voluntarily choose to make cash gifts or bequests to them, but from now on little active campaigning is anticipated. Specific exceptions this fall will occur in the Classes of 1906 and 1908 which will continue their class efforts until presentation at future reunions, and in 1916 which will campaign this fall for the last time in celebration of its 35th year out of college.
The leadership of the Class Fund program changed hands last June when Wilbur W. Bullen '22 was succeeded after a three-year term as chairman by F. William Andres '29. During his chairmanship Mr. Bullen stimulated the growth of Memorial Funds from $413,000 to $770,000. Other members of the new Class Gifts Committee include Orton H. Hicks '31, Harry B. Cummings '27 and Richard W. Walker '28.
