The Reunion Weekend
WITH a cluster of sparkling days as exhilarating in their effect as the helium balloons released by the Class of '31, and in defiance of the superstitious, Friday the 13th ushered in one of the best attended and most successful reunion weekends on record. Approximately 1200 alumni, wives and children streamed into Hanover early Friday afternoon to settle into the dormitory rooms provided by the College, anticipating what seemed to be a great many hours in Hanover. But between the programs for individual classes and the events planned for the entire reunion group, the last get-togethers on Sunday came all too soon. A total of 637 alumni returned June 13-15, representing the classes of '06, '07, '08, '12, '31, '32, '33, and' 42.
The outdoor reception given by President and Mrs. Dickey on Friday evening brought all reunioners and their families together, and most of. them went on to the dance in College Hall. There the orchestra was rated so good that guests stayed until 2:00 a.m., when the players went home; then the tireless ones among the dancers started the phonograph.
Woven in and around the reception and the dance were class get-togethers: meetings, receptions, cocktail parties, children's dinners, banquets, and a great deal of informal greeting and reminiscing. On Saturday morning pictures were taken on the campus, with the largest classes grouped on the stands provided for this purpose. By the special request of Bob Allen '45, reunion chairman, the chimes of Baker were stepped up to play more frequently than usual, and their melodies added a festive background to the events of the weekend.
While children were being served lunch in the tents, alumni and (for the first time) wives were gathered in the Gymnasium for the annual Saturday luncheon of the General Alumni Association. Mansfield D. Sprague '33, vice president, presided, and introduced as speakers Sidney C. Hayward '26 and President Dickey. Basil O'Connor '12, chosen to represent the alumni, was unable to be present because of illness. His prepared speech was read by Henry K. Urion '12. An appeal for making efforts toward a fundamental peace, which would depend for its permanence upon the doctrine of the brotherhood of man, was urged upon all individuals. Mr. O'Connor's words were in part: "Unless the people of this world, both within nations and between nations believe in the integrity of the individual and the brotherhood of man, and attribute to man everywhere those basic aspirations which he has to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, regardless of his race, creed or color, then we shall not have peace."
After the usual business meeting which follows the General Association luncheon, the Class of '32 held its presentation of the John Clark portrait at 2:30 in Baker. The Class of '42 had published a challenge to softball to '31, a game which was played before a large number of spectators and won by '31. A golf tournament and movies for the children were also included in the Saturday afternoon program. There was an early exodus by several classes to the countryside around Hanover, where picnic suppers took place. Other classes had their banquets at the Inn and in the D.O.C. House.
The Players' smash hit, No Mother toGuide Her, was presented Saturday night at 9:30 for the eighth time, and proved an excellent choice for the prevailing mood of its large audience. The last official events on Saturday, scheduled at 10:30 p.m., were raffles and auctions in the '33 and '42 tents, proceeds going to Class Memorial Funds.
No reunion weekend duplicates another, and this year there were touches which, added up, guarantee that this June's festivities will stand out from all those taking place before and after. The most musical tent undoubtedly was that shared by the Classes of '06, '07, and 'OB on Tuck Mall, where, by request, there were two pianos. The most vocal group was '31, which used its public address system the clock around, frankly enjoying the sound of its own voice, especially its singing. The Class of '42, with a number of its reunion committee belonging to the Fourth Estate, put out its own newspaper ("Miracle values galore for every member of the famous Class of '42. Read all about it"). In spite of bitter competition in some departments, fraternizing between the classes of '31, '32, and '33 was prevalent; they even drank from identical beer mugs. On Friday night they met for a successful social gettogether which proved anew that the Robinson Plan for reunions works well for Dartmouth.
Class Memorial Services were held on Sunday morning in Rollins Chapel and in the Bema. Buffet luncheons and, for some late leavers, informal suppers brought to a close one more memorable reunion weekend, with renewed friendship and repeated promises of "We'll be seeing you at the next one."
THE ALUMNI LUNCHEON IN THE GYM WAS ONE OF THE TOP EVENTS OF REUNION WEEKEND
INN CORNER VIEW: Back for reunion, these Dartmouth men get a kick out of just standing and taking a long and reminiscent look at the campus.
