1921
At the risk of giving some of our less famous classmates inferiority complexes, we continue our policy of featuring 1921 men who appear in the news, in the belief that most of us take pride in our fellowship with those who thus reflect credit upon Dartmouth and the Class. Ambassador Ellis O. (Rollo) Briggs is the man of the moment, The Boston Sunday Herald of March 20 carried an AP dispatch from Murray Fromson, Seoul, Korea, announcing Ellis' nomination to the post of Ambassador to Peru. The profile accompanying described the former president of the D.O.C. as a good bargainer, top State Department trouble shooter, tough but suave and friendly diplomat, witty, gregarious, deft in his handling of delicate situations, and an ardent sportsman. A verbatim quote would be worthwhile so maybe HalBraman can handle it. Our space is limited.
Our w. k. president, John L. Sullivan, blew into town recently and paused for a short conference with Don Sawyer and ye sec. John reeled off a business and salmon fishing itinerary for the next few months that had us dizzy. It included two trips to Europe, several to Canada, as a director of Aluminum, Inc., besides attending to his Washington, D. C., office and his home in Manchester, N. H. About August he plans to rest a bit at the Rye Beach, N. H., summer place. As one of a group of alumni interested in the establishment of a Catholic Youth Center at Hanover and the purchase of Jim Richardson's house for that purpose, John made his contribution as a memorial to William B. O'Connor who died in 1952. A plaque to this effect will be placed in one of the rooms dedicating it to Bill's memory. His widow, Pearl O'Connor, received the news with great pleasure.
In discussing plans for the Harvard game weekend at Hanover, October 22, John confirmed his reservation for his Friday p.m. cocktail party for 1921 at the Inn. Corey Ford has also generously invited our class to his home after the game on Saturday for hors d'oeuvres, etc. The class meeting is to be held Saturday morning but plans for the luncheon are still up in the air. 1919 signed up the Ski Hut but we hope to produce an equally attractive gathering spot.
May 18 is the other date to remember for any 1921 man in or around Boston on that Wednesday. We will gather at the Green Room, Hotel Gardner, Mass. Ave., at 5:30 p.m., dine at 7:00, adjourn to the Pops at 8:30.
Nelson Lee Smith has notified President Eisenhower that he does not want to be reappointed to the Federal Power Commission when his term expires on June 22. Nels has served thereon since 1943. The President thanked him for his thoughtfulness in giving advance notice and praised him for his "outstanding career of public service." At this moment we have not learned what Nels plans to do.
Werner Janssen conducted the N.B.C. Symphony of the Air in all-Sibelius program at Carnegie Hall in February. You may recall that Sibelius himself chose Werner some years ago as the conductor who interpreted his music exactly as intended by the composer.
In February 1953 Art Duryea suffered a severe cerebral hemorrhage in Washington, D. C., where he had been a chief physician for the Veterans Administration. When he was finally released from the hospital in July 1953, he could not speak or read. Last August his wife Gertrude moved him to Palm Springs, Calif., but the change had little effect. Art finally passed away quietly of a heart attack in his sleep on January 14. Under In Memoriatn in this issue is an inadequate tribute to a real physician.
In order to kick-off the 1955 Alumni Fund campaign, President Dickey and Rog Wilde attended four regional dinners in March for class head agents and agents. After Chicago and Cleveland, but the night before the New York affair, about 160 workers gathered in Boston. The eight representing 1921 were RogWilde, Don Sawyer, Bill Perry, Hal Braman,Russ Bailey, Chan Symmes, Randy Childs and your secretary. Before Rog and President Dickey delivered their excellent talks, several awards were made for outstanding achievement in the 1954 campaign. Among these, the James B. Reynolds trophy for the class more than 25 years out of college went to Bill Perry in appreciation of outstanding service to the Fund and to the College. Bill received a framed Louis Orr etching and a citation for his splendid work, in spite of 1954 being his first and only year at the job.
Rog was in fine fettle after two weeks in Nassau where he and Caroline saw Princess Margaret and did some bone fishing. Hal Braman also reported an enjoyable weekend in Hanover with Bill Barber and Chick and KellyStiles.
Now that this year's Alumni Fund campaign has reached its mid-point, probably at least half of our class have sent in their checks or pledges. You'll be glad to know that a second generous '21 man has contributed $1500, so don't be bashful, if that's the amount you had in mind to give.
Here's another thought from an old moneylender. The College reports that tuition fees only cover 49% of the cost of four years at Dartmouth for each student. From 1917 to 1921 our fees probably totaled about $1200. Each of us must have owed the College approximately that amount upon graduation. Inflation makes our debt roughly $2400 today, regardless of interest which may have accumulated. Subtract from this sum the total of your gifts to Dartmouth since graduation and the balance is what you should repay before you retire or otherwise lose your earning power. Divide by the number of years left and the answer is the minimum you should give each year. What's wrong with that argument, from a nonagent?
By the way, if you want to become steeped in nostalgia, get a 1923 friend to let you read the March issue of his class newsletter, TheSkiddoo. It will bring tears to your eyes. And weren't you proud of the Dartmouth Glee Club on Ed Sullivan's Sunday night TV show?
Pick Ankeny, Bill Barber and Frank Foster in that order spent successive days at the Hanover Inn in March but each arrived just after the other left. Roy Burrill has a new job and new address. He is now with Radiation, Inc., engaged in electronic research, development and production in Melbourne, Fla., where he lives at the Hotel Melbourne. Bob Wilson can now be reached at 2820 27th N.W., Washington 8, D. C., but no word as to his present occupation.
Because George Ferguson is a native of Lenox, Mass., the Pittsfteld Berkshire Eagle gave a most flattering review of George's new book on February 12. The spring issue of TheCathedral Age, published by Washington Cathedral in the Nation's capitol, also carried a critical but complimentary analysis by Dean Suter.
Tracy Higgins was pleased with our description of his product in these columns but tactfully points out that certain improvements have been made in the bottle in recent years and is sending a sample to prove it. We haven't done much drawing lately, or violin playing either, for which the assistant secretary is duly grateful.
William D. '54, youngest son of Tom andRachy Norcross, acquired a bride last March by marrying Janet Williams, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howard J. Williams of Millville, N. J. Tom was best man for his son. The bride attended Beaver College in Philadelphia. Bill is Phi Delta Theta. The young couple are now living in Quantico, Va.
Those of you who remember Hal andMartha Geilich's lovely daughter, Margery Ann, Wellesley '54, will be interested to learn that she married Anthony David Kurtz of Teaneck, N. J., on April 3, in Brookline, Mass. A reception at Belmont Country Club followed the ceremony. The groom received his B.S. in '51 and M.S. in '52 from M.I.T., where he is now on the faculty and is working on the Lincoln Project for a Sc.D. degree in physics and physical metallurgy.
Thus we contribute to family formation statistics. Look at the dynasty Phil Noyes has started.
Secretary, 21 Chestnut Street, Wellesley Hills 82, Mass.
Class Agent, 200 Berkeley St., Boston 16, Mass.
