Arctic Specialist

One of the world's foremost arctic specialists, Dr. Albert L. Washburn '35, is now serving as Scientific Director of the Snow, Ice and Permafrost Research Establishment in Wilmette, Ill., which was recently created to conduct basic research for the Department of Defense.

An accomplished mountaineer and skier, Dr. Washburn's knowledge of "snow, ice and permafrost" is based upon both study and experience. Since leaving Dartmouth he has led and participated in three arctic expeditions. In addition he with his wife spent several summers in the North, traveling by dog team, on geologic field trips.

Dr. Washburn's first-hand experience in the Arctic led to his appointment in 1945 as Executive Director of the Arctic Institute of North America, with headquarters in Montreal.

When he left Montreal seven years later to accept his present post, a tribute appearing in Arctic magazine stated in part: "His great devotion to his work, his gift for details and his thoroughness have constantly amazed his associates, and it is to these qualities of his that the sound foundation of the organization can surely be ascribed."

During World War II, Dr. Washburn, who received the Ph.D. in geology from Yale in 1942, was with the Arctic-DesertTropic Information Center of the United States Air Force. He also served as panel chairman of the Committee on Geophysics and Geography, Research and Development Board, Department of Defense. His pioneer work in the fields of arctic study and development exemplifies to a noteworthy degree the active interest in the North which Dartmouth as an institution hopes to foster, in its curriculum, lecture programs and summer field trips.