Parents and the Alumni Fund

DARTMOUTH alumni will undoubtedly be impressed by the fact that 644 parents joined with them in the successful 1952 Alumni Fund, contributing $44,120 to the total result. Some may wonder just why it is that such a gratifying response should be forthcoming from a group of people most of whom are now paying the tuition and other large expenses of a college education. For viewed in this perspective is not the parent achievement truly extraordinary?

First, I think most parents have a very great respect for Dartmouth as a liberal arts college. They know something about the work of the College, and are much pleased with their sons' response to the Dartmouth experience. Second, they have an equally great respect for the devotion and support of the alumni. They know that alumni are carrying part of the cost of their sons' education through gifts to the Alumni Fund, and through endowment which has been provided by alumni in the past. They want to share this responsibility with alumni.

The problem that faced the Parents Committee was how to harness these inherent parent attitudes to the Alumni Fund. We felt confident that if our appeal was appropriate, the response would be largely spontaneous. Through letters and per personal conversation the Parents Committee has tried to present the Fund as an opportunity rather than an added burden. In effect we have said: "Participation in the Dartmouth Alumni Fund makes it possible for you to contribute, perhaps at a tax saving, toward the one-half of the full cost of your sons' education which tuition fees do not cover, and which must be met from endowment income and alumni gifts."

Two years ago 359 parents gave $28,000. In 1952 these figures were substantially increased and it seems likely that parents' gifts will increase further during the next few years. Contributions were received from families of freshmen and parents of men who graduated many years ago. They came from prominent business leaders and from families of students receiving financial aid. They ranged all the way from $5.00 to $1,000, but the average gift was larger than most alumni classes, $68.51. The dollar total, $44,120, was more than double the highest alumni class total. We are very proud of what has been accomplished in so short a time. But it is also true that the opportunity we have had to be associated with the alumni has increased rather than diminished our respect for what the alumni have been doing for Dartmouth for so many years.

CHAIRMAN, 1952 PARENTS COMMITTEE