Chairman's Report

THE 1954 ALUMNI FUND

Dartmouth Alumni Fund

A record-breaking $700,000 accomplishment achieved by 18,259 alumni, parents and friends in support of Dartmouth College 1954.

"Dartmouth alumni and friends contributed to last spring's 1954 Alumni Fund in record-breaking numbers and dollars in a triumphant celebration of the Fund's 40th Anniversary. A total of $700,365 was received from 18,259 givers to make possible this inspiring achievement. An amazing 67.7% of all living alumni participated in the 1954 Fund to top the best Dartmouth has ever done in the strongest aspect of its Alumni Fund history. More than 1,600 class workers, another new high, took part in a campaign which exceeded the records of the previous year by 883 contributors and $29,218. To have had a part in this magnificent accomplishment has been a privilege and pleasure, and I wish to express my appreciation to all who contributed so generously of both time and money.

The 1954 objective of $660,000 was divided $600,000 for unrestricted funds to meet the budgeted operating expenses of the College and $60,000 to endow two more Alumni Fund Scholarships. Not content with reaching these objectives, alumni and friends generously contributed an additional $31,198 to the Alumni Fund Scholarship Reserve. In fact, during recent years, Fund receipts have consistently exceeded minimum needs and thereby provided Dartmouth with fresh new resources for its future work.

During the past four years the Alumni Fund has raised $2,560,000. This sum has provided the dollars necessary to meet the College's operating requirements, endowed four $30,000 Alumni Fund Scholarships and added $191,000 to the Scholarship Reserve. Such vitally important strength has come to Dartmouth only because of the tremendous recent growth in Fund results. Since 1944, for example, the amount has more than doubled. In that year the score was $284,565 from 13,509 contributors. In 1951 the Alumni Fund topped the half million mark with a surprising $577,262 from 15,417 givers. This year $700,000 was contributed, not only because more givers participated, but also because of a substantial gain in the average gift which has increased nearly 50% in the last ten years.

From the very beginning of the campaign, I was impressed by the operation of our class agent system. The hours of time, the ceaseless efforts, and the un- tiring devotion of this group of Dartmouth alumni, consisting of 67 Head Class Agents, and 1,600 Class Agents and Newsletter Editors, is unbelievable. I was amazed at the prodigious amount of work, the huge volume of letters and bulletins, and particularly the enthusiasm and abilities of these Fund workers. The outpouring of contributions in response to their efforts has again provided proof of the strength of our class organizations, and the effectiveness of our class agents. I am convinced that the continuing success of the Alumni Fund is a reflection of that intangible feeling we call "the Dartmouth spirit," and that all the mailings and personal contacts which are a part of a Fund campaign are helping to strengthen that spirit.

Highlights of the 40th Anniversary campaign are illustrated in the charts and tables accompanying this report. I will mention only a few. Of special interest are the results obtained by the Parents Committee. Under the able leadership of David F. Sibley, father of a boy in last year's senior class, the Parents Committee established records in number of givers and dollars (see page 7). The Alumni Fund is grateful for the interest of so many parents and is proud to have their support.

A word of thanks also to the Regional Chairmen whose names are listed elsewhere in this report. This group worked on an experimental plan in eleven Western cities under the capable chairmanship of DeWalt H. Ankeny, '21.

One of the unique phases of the Alumni Fund is the Green Derby competition involving all classes less than fifty years out of college. The particularly keen competition during the last campaign in Group II (classes 1913 to 1921) had surprisingly important results. It was apparent early in the campaign that the agents of at least four classes were unusually anxious to win this Green Derby contest, and more important, that their determination was shared by other class officers and the executive committees. Enthusiasm spread quickly through the entire membership of these classes. When the campaign ended, the four classes 1915, 1914, 1921, and 1919 led Group II in that order. These classes alone had raised $81,835 for an unprecedented average of 164% of their assigned objectives. We may well speculate on what it would mean to Dartmouth if every class should generate a similar determination to strive for victory in its Green Derby. Applying the average performance of these four classes to the total 1954 results, for example, the Fund score would have been 22,864 contributors instead of 18,259, and the total sum realized over $1,000,000 instead of ,$700,000.

Other classes also turned in record achievements. 1904, the 50-year class, won the Group I Green Derby with a Combined Rating of 294, the highest scored by any class. In Group II, 1915 in winning its eighth consecutive Green Derby also set a notable example with an average gift of $92. The Class of 1925, the winner in Group III, again raised the larg- est class total, a record high of $23,866. In Group III the competition was extremely close, with only four points separating the winner, 1938, second place, 1935, and third, 1936. Group IV was led by 1942 and the Little Green Derby by 1950, both classes scoring new dollar highs.

In participation many records were broken. Seventeen classes had more contributors than ever before, and the Class of 1946 set a new record of 544 givers. The alumni participation percentage was 67.7%, surpassing last year's record 66.6%, but just missing by 59 contributors Princeton's score of 67-9%.

"The Fund could not continue to produce such remarkable results each year without its efficient staff in Hanover headed by Executive Secretary, Nick Sandoe, Jr., '45, and his assistant Cliff Jordan, '45. Whatever information or service may be requested by Fund workers, it is quickly supplied. Somehow the voluminous bulletins, newsletters and the thousands of acknowledgments are always processed and mailed on time. And last, but far from least, we owe a debt of gratitude to the ladies; to our wives who share in whatever sacrifice may be caused by our gifts, and who also share with us the pleasures of the Dartmouth fellowship; and to the many secretaries who do much of the work for which we receive the credit. To all these ladies our sincere thanks.

The magnificent 1954 Alumni Fund is an important ]expression of confidence in President Dickey and his administration, and in the worth of the College's purpose. As the growth of the Fund during the past forty years has made it possible for Dartmouth to grow and to become one of the world's leading liberal arts colleges, so the College may face the opportunities of the future with assurance that the Alumni Fund will continue to be a dependable source of strength.

First two Alumni Fund Scholars: Robert W. tenBensel '58 of Minneapolis, Minnesota (I) and Arthur R. Johnson '57 of Livingston, New Jersey. The 1954 campaign produced the funds to establish two more of these $30,000 endowed scholarships, thus assuring that henceforth there will be an Alumni Fund Scholar in every Dartmouth Class.

1955 Alumni Fund Committee meeting in Hanover in October. Standing left to right: Ellsworth B. Buck '14, Sumner D. Kilmarx '22 and Robert S. Oelman '31. Seated are: Nichol M. Sandoe, Jr. '45, Secretary, Roger C. Wilde '21, Chairman, and Carleton G. Broer '27.

The names of alumni contributors to the 1954 Alumni Fund are listed with their respective classes in the class-notes section of the December issue of the Alumni Magazine.