Twin Senior Fellows

If one doesn't enjoy the spotlight, the life of a campus notable is sometimes difficult - and it is at least twice as difficult if one is two. But, of course the Blanchards are really one, and that should make it easier for them, but it really makes it harder - and a bit confusing for everyone.

But it's their own fault: they are twins, they room together, they have taken the same courses, they had many classes together, they ranked first and second in their class junior year and now they are both Senior Fellows. They have done so well in Hanover that "This guy Blanchard must be twins" is a standard (and elderly) joke.

Their work at Morristown (N. J.) High School was fine, though nothing like the records they made by pacing themselves at Dartmouth. They have entered fewer extra-curricular activities at Dartmouth than in high school, but this is no reflection of the range of their interests. Both are licensed pilots and fly frequently. They are enthusiastic horsemen and have their pick of five horses at the family farm in Morristown where their father, William F. Blanchard '30, is the fourth generation to head the Blanchard Construction Company. His claim to fame in the eyes of his classmates has always been that he married the 1930 Winter Carnival Queen.

Winter is still of considerable inter- est to the Blanchards and now all four find time to enjoy skiing, especially at Stowe, Vermont, where Dick and Bill, both fine skiers, have lifetime passes. There has been time for hunting also and they have taken game at the College Grant.

This year, as Senior Fellows, the pressure of meeting deadlines for courses and papers is off and they can work on their projects at their own schedules - which will probably turn out to be more demanding than work for five courses.

Their study at Dartmouth diverged for the first time when they chose their topics for Senior Fellowships. Bill is investigating "The Communist Party in America" and Dick is devoting his year to a study of "The Economic Effects of American Tariffs and the Relation of Those Tariffs to the American Position in International Affairs."

Next year they may study in Europe or at the Harvard Business School and then there will be military service. It will be five years or so before they start work, and they are not yet certain just what they want to do. This bothers them, to a degree. Medicine, law and teaching they have decided against. They feel that they will be in business somewhere; whether they will make it five generations with the Blanchard Construction Company remains to be seen. But that decision is five years away and the big date on the calendar this year comes in June when their parents return to Hanover for a 25th reunion and the graduation of two Senior Fellows.

Dick and Bill Blanchard '55 with President Dickey