1953

A belated but very wonderful Christinas gift arrived in Hanover for Johnny Cernius a couple of weeks back when he received his American citizenship papers. Fleeing their native Lithuania - where his father was prime minister — in 1942 to escape the onrushing Russians, John and his family wandered throughout Europe and England prior to finding refuge here in the U.S. in 1947. And now that the 5-yr. probationary period is over, John and his family are officially American citizens. Congratulations, Johnny.

Here in Hanover, activity has been at a record high for most of us. For the second year men at Tuck and Thayer, late winter and the slump season means interview time. Over 200 firms somehow make their waythrough the mud every year in this eight-week period to discover what nuggets of gold - if any - are located in Indian town. And when you try to fit these interviews between trips to Boston and New York for Army, Navy physicals and a few term papers, it does not leave as much free time as might be desired. At present it appears as if most of us will be serving our big Uncle for a couple of years - and not all as officers - before we try to provide some new ideas and spark to our business economy.

However, across the campus, our fellow classmates in white garb are preparing to pack their cadavers prior to setting out for various medical schools where they will finish their M.D. studies. At last report nine of our medicine men had elected to swell the ranks of the '53s at Harvard graduate schools, while PudHarrison and Al Hathcock will attend Washington Univ. in St. Louis. John Wortley will enter Univ. of Kansas, and Bill Loomis will journey to Cayuga Waters. The big Bostonbound medic group will consist of FrankAmick, Ben Branch, Lee Dennis, Fran L'Esperance, Bruce Gilmour, Hap Haggett (now the Boston accent won't be a telltale), MoeMoss, Phil Parshley, and Jim Rose. Best of luck to all of theml

But one night last week, thanks to the fine work of Charley Fleet, everyone in the class here in Hanover paused for a couple of hours to send the 1954 Alumni Fund Drive off to a salutary start, 100% participation. It was decided to hold the Hanover drive at this time as we will be on vacation (two nice long weeks) when the drive officially commences April 1. The class executive committee wants to thank all those who contributed time and money to this effort, and to publicly acknowledge the fine work of Class Agent Paul Paganucci. We now only hope that this 100% contribution record will be upheld by the rest of the Class come April. I won't do any further preaching as I think that we all recognize the worthiness and necessity of this drive. Just think back on your years spent here in Hanover, and be generous with both your time and your money.

Before we shift to another locale ... among those visiting the Hanover Inn recently have been Mr. and Mrs. Werner Graeve, the DaveKatz and the John Rosenbergers Jr. A short note from Don Hansen informs us that he is continuing his study of the art of the ancient Near Eastern nations (he is now concentrating on Absyssinian murals) at Harvard. Our former senior fellow mentions that Don Hoffman is also at Harvard investigating the music of medieval Luxembourg. As the service and engagement news is quite heavy this month, let us now take a glance in that direction.

Uncle Sam

Down in Texas, two of our Air Force flyboys, Steve Foster and Dick McCostis, managed to find time during their flight training to fall prey to the wiles of two young women. Steve's engagement to Nancy Arnold of Syracuse, N. Y., was announced just after Christmas. Nancy, a '53 graduate of Skidmore College, is now teaching at her old alma mater, Northfield School for Girls. With the introduction of the year 1954, Dick's betrothal to Janice Friborg was made public. Jan, hailing from Dick's home town of Manchester, N. H., is a '53 alumna of Wellesley College. According to our latest records, Dick and Steve still carry the rank of air cadet, and are undergoing rigorous flight instructions at Harlingen Air Force Base.

Two other '53 servicemen from the Hanover scene are Pvts. Cole Craft and Marc Lust. The Army Language School at Monterey, Calif., serves as their present home base. Cole is enrolled in the intensive six-week course in Russian, having just completed basic training at Ft. Ord, Calif., but as yet we have no further "dope" on Marc. Another '53 who has recently completed a training course is 2nd It. (HankFry) U.S.M.C. Hank is now assigned to Camp Lejeune in N. C.

News from nearby Quantico informs us that two more "gyrenes" have bitten the dust: Jack Runyon's engagement to Phoebe Dow of Presque Isle, Me., and Colby College was made public over Christmas, while that of GeorgeTeare - one of Jack's fellow 2nd It. buddies - was relieved of its top secret classification about January 18. If we are not mistaken, it is now Lt. and Mrs. J. R. Runyon, USMC ... the ceremony having been performed at the Immanuel Church on the Hill, Alexandria, Va., on February 20. George's fiancee, Nancy Sawin, claims Skidmore College as her alma mater and Reading, Mass., as her home town.

However, this month the U.S. Navy is not to be outdone on this matter of betrothals... but more on that later. During these past winter months, Ens. Bill Fry has been visiting several of the Mediterranean ports aboard the destroyer U.S.S. McNair. We understand that he has recently been appointed first lieutenant, or officer in charge of all deck repairs and up-keep. This is quite an honor for an ensign of only six months, and speaks well for Bill's ability. Ens. Hap Presson has recently been assigned to another destroyer, the U.S.S. Ingraham in Norfolk, Va., following graduation from Newport, while Sandy Learnard, newly-commissioned Coast Guard officer, is now located aboard one of that outfit's rowboats around Hawaii.

On February 8 in New York City, Lt. JulianRobinson USAF exchanged vows with Patricia Burton, a '53 alumna of Finch College. HerbBorovsky served as best man and Bob Nessen was included in the list of ushers. A week later Lt. A. Kent Robinson USMC took Wilma Fordsman of Rockville Centre, L.I., as his bride in a nice church wedding. The newlyweds are now living in Florida while Kent undergoes flight instruction at Pensacola. And, in an early January wedding which we overlooked in our last article, Ens. Buzz BushUSCR promised to watch over Katherine Giering in sickness and in health. Kay is a graduate of Russell Sage College, and she has set up headquarters for Buzz and herself in Boston, where Ens. Bush is stationed.

Now for the lengthy list of engagements: Dave King to Lois Mae Nichol of Bartlett, N. H., and Plymouth State Teachers College. Dave at present has an interesting position with the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. in Butte, Mont., where he is employed as a geologist. John Tangerman to Janet Scott of Port Washington, L. I., and Mt. Holyoke College '55. Johnny is located here in Hanover as a research assistant in arctic exploration. Ens.Dick Stanley USN to Mary Erna Read of Thiensville, Wis., and that college in So. Hadley, '54. Dick as mentioned in a previous article has recently returned from a round-the-world cruise. Lee Tuttle to Jean Griffey of Houston, Tex., and the Univ. of Houston. Lee, who left Hanover a few autumns back, is now pursuing medical studies at Baylor College of Medicine.

At a quiet cocktail party in his room here at Chase Hall over Carnival weekend, JimCourtney announced his engagement to Debbie Priest of Denver. Debbie, a graduate of Colorado U. last year, is now an airplane hostess. Other engagements these past few weeks include: Ens. Larry Conover, USCG, to Mary L. Ponsart of Oakland, Calif. Larry has been stationed in Alameda, Calif, since his graduation from New London last fall. Ens. "Tim" Thomas USN to Judy Evans of Shaker Hills, Ohio (Smith '55). Tim, another 130-day Newport wonder, is attending Mine Warfare School, Yorktown, Va. And lastly, Carl Englund Jr. to Joanna Cornell of Boston. Last word had Carl located at Officer Candidates School for Naval Air Intelligence at Newport, while Joanna is in nurse's training.

I'm afraid the other connubial items will have to be shoved back into the desk drawer until next issue.

Remember to support the Alumni Fund - and I mean some real support.

Till next month.

MARINE SECOND LIEUTENANTS: Three '53ers, newly commissioned Marines, have completed basictraining courses at the Marine schools at Quantico. L to r: Henry C. Fry, presently assigned to Camp Lejeune, N. C.; David W. Florence, to Quantico; and Albert G. Murphy, to Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Secretary, 309 Chase House, Hanover, N. H.

Class Agent, 301 Chase Hall, Hanover, N. H.