1953 Dartmouth Parents Committee

To date the postwar Alumni Fund effort of Dartmouth parents has yielded a return rich in dollars. It also reflects a healthy increase in parent participation:

Gifts Total Average1953 771 $46,279 $60.00 1952 644 44,120 68.50 1951 359 28,184 78.50

This annual campaign brings us the opportunity to join with our Dartmouth sons in the good cause of the College. It provides us a splendid means to demonstrate our thankfulness for the priceless privilege of enjoying with our Dartmouth sons the richness of a shared allegiance.

For a moment let's look at the parents' record in the 1953 Alumni Fund, during which 38 mothers and fathers of Dartmouth men joined forces with 1400 other Fund workers. A glance at the above tabulation shows that the record-breaking 1953 parent participation did not do too much violence to the high average gift registered by the 1952 committee. Furthermore 514 contributions for 133,231 came from parents with sons in college. Alumni will remember that this particular group of parents assumed an 18% increase in the tuition fee in the fall of 1952

Gifts from Dartmouth families who were contacted by committee members totaled 47 for $3,467.00, an average gift of $73.50. This demonstrates faithful committee performance and the value of personal solicitation. In addition to being generous with their time, committee members were also generous with their gifts which came to more than 12% of the total.

Equal in importance to the financial support received are the fine letters from parents who appreciate the work of their committee and the generosity of alumni. These heart-warming expressions of sincere interest in the College's welfare speak volumes for the continuing success of our annual endeavor to keep Dartmouth strong.

In conclusion I want very much to share with you a beautiful letter of appreciation from the mother of an undergraduate:

"Each time I hear from your committee I am struck anew with the desire to share in the responsibilities you have assumed. I am not, however, in a position to share very deeply.

"My son, is now attending Dartmouth, one of those privileged to do so because of this Fund. He is hoping to begin his third year there this coming fall. He feels deeply, as do I, the wonderful opportunity he has been given. Already he is imbued with this truly characteristic attitude of all Dartmouth men towards their country and all worthwhile things in this life. "Again may I express my appreciation to the Dartmouth Alumni. God bless you all."

WILLIAM H. COULSON of Washington, D. C., who was Chairman of the Parents Committee for the 1953 Alumni Fund campaign. An adopted member of the Class of 1918, he is the father of two Dartmouth sons, John L. Coulson '39 and William H. Coulson Jr. '40.