The Reunion Week

EXTREMES of temperature characterized Reunion Week, with some classes meeting under near-tropical conditions and others glad they had brought topcoats along. It was agreed, however, that the Reunion Spirit of 1956 stayed cool, in the best sense of the word.

Representing nine classes, an unprecedented total of 2,000 alumni, wives, children and guests arrived on the Hanover Plain, the first reunioners coming on Monday, June 11, and the last official departures taking place on Sunday, June 17. Thanks to the new reunion schedule, now in its second year, there was an absence of congestion and plenty of time and room for reminiscence and fellowship. Few realized that a record had been made in attendance figures.

None of the customary features of reunion were missing, even though they were done in duplicate, with the Classes of 1920, 1921 and 1922 meeting from Monday through Wednesday, June 11-13, and the Classes of 1916, 1931, 1940, 1941, 1942 and 1946 reuning over the weekend.

On Monday afternoon, June 11, the first Hanover Holiday lecture was well attended by members of the Twenties reunion group, who came early, in time to register and to hear Prof. Richard E. Wagner of the Art Department speak on "Painting a Picture." This was followed by a cocktail hour, simultaneously observed in the tents of 1920, 1921 and 1922. Class dinners were over shortly before 8:15, when President and Mrs. Dickey were at home to alumni and their guests.

The annual Alumni Luncheon was attended on Tuesday by over 350. John L. Sullivan '21, Vice President of the General Association of Alumni, presided, with President Dickey making the main address. Sidney C. Hayward '26, Secretary of the College and of the General Association, spoke on alumni activities during the past year. Tuesday afternoon and evening were devoted to class pictures, informal sessions in the tents, class dinners and The Players' production of The Rainmaker in Webster Hall.

Joint memorial services were held by the three classes in Rollins Chapel on Wednesday morning. There were farewell luncheons at the DOC House, the Canoe Club and the Inn Terrace, although a number of alumni stayed over to attend the final Hanover Holiday lectures.

On Thursday, the 25-Year Class, 1931, arrived, followed the next day by the other five classes. Soon more than 1600 alumni family members were in full reunion stride, with the class tents doing a thriving business as dispensers of conviviality and welcome shade from a suddenly very hot sun. Outdoor buffets in Hanover were favored on Friday evening, from which guests went on to the reception given by President, and Mrs. Dickey. The Alumni Dance in College Hall, beginning at 10 p.m., was well attended, both by alumni and the younger set.

Unexpected music rent the air on Saturday, when, after class-picture taking, a Shriners' Band, sponsored by the Class of 1916, led the way to the Gymnasium for the Alumni Luncheon and annual meeting of the General Alumni Association. John B. Martin Jr. '31 presided as president of the Association. The presentation of 1956 Alumni Awards (reported elsewhere in this issue) was performed by Donald C. McKinlay '37, Vice President of the Alumni Council; while Fletcher R. Andrews '16, Dean of the Law School at Western Reserve University, spoke for the alumni. President Dickey's talk was featured by his announcement of John D. Rockefeller Jr.'s million-dollar gift to the College.

The most musical class was 1916, which, in addition to the Shriners' Band, held a class hum and presented a band concert on the steps of Dartmouth Hall on Saturday afternoon. The final class dinners and picnics and a second performance of TheRainmaker completed the day's official program, although song and speech emanated from the tents until the birds won out.

On Sunday, 1916, 1931, 1941 and 1946 had scheduled luncheons or picnics, which followed the memorial services held by all the reuning classes, in individual or combined groups.

Almost imperceptibly the hundreds of out-of-state cars disappeared from Main Street, making it look wide and empty. However, the impact of "Dartmouth was in town again" still hovered in the air, to stav until next June's reunions.

Fletcher Andrews '16, who spoke on behalf of the alumni at the General Association Luncheon during the second Reunion Weekend, is shown with Mrs. Andrews at the gym.