The Moral Anchor of Education

THE young man seated across the desk from Dean Fred Berthold Jr. '45 in the Tucker Foundation offices in Wentworth Hall had a vocational problem.

A premedical student, and a brilliant one, he had elected several philosophy and religion courses. They had given him an awareness of the broad philosophical areas that lie beyond the essentially empirical methods of science and medicine. As a result, he was seriously considering studying for the ministry, but was undergoing considerable intellectual turmoil. What are the values and satisfactions of the ministry?

In answering, Dean Berthold drew on his own undergraduate experience which led him to change from premedical to divinity studies. He explained that the values and satisfactions of each are essentially personal and the student must chart his own course. The student left promising to ponder the question further after a searching self-examination.

Advising this caller was just one of the many duties Dean Berthold has undertaken as head of the William Jewett Tucker Foundation at Dartmouth. But it typifies the Foundation's aims: "To support and further the moral and spiritual work and influence of the College."

It is to focus the attention and interest of the College, community, and the nation on the Tucker Foundation that a convocation marking its formal inauguration and the installation of the first dean has been scheduled for November 13-16 in Hanover.

The convocation will feature addresses by religious and lay leaders, group discussions, and religious services, all centered on the theme, "Education for Moral Responsibility."

Featured speaker on Saturday, November 15, will be Lewis Mumford, author, lecturer, philosopher, and city planner. He was a visiting lecturer at Dartmouth from 1929 to 1947. His topic will be "The Moral Challenge Facing Democracy."

Others who are to participate include the Rev. Henry P. Van Dusen, president of Union Theological Seminary; Charles P. Taft of Cincinnati, vice-president of the National Council of Churches; Edward D. Eddy Jr., provost of the University of New Hampshire; Philip E. Jacob, professor of political science at the University of Pennsylvania; Gordon W. Allport, professor of psychology, Harvard University; Dr. Kenneth Underwood, professor of government, Wesleyan University; and the Rev. David A. MacLennan, minister of The Brick Presbyterian Church, Rochester, N. Y.

Student groups are also expected from Wellesley College, Princeton University and the University of New Hampshire.

The program opens Thursday, November 13 with registration for out-of-town guests from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Hanover Inn lobby and an opening dinner in the Inn Dining Room. At 8:30 p.m. Dean Berthold will be formally installed in ceremonies in Rollins Chapel. The installation sermon will be preached by Dr. Van Dusen. A reception in the 1902 Room of Baker Library will follow at 10 p.m.

Friday's program starts at 11 a.m. with a College Chapel Service in Rollins at which Dean Berthold will preach. At 2 p.m. in Dartmouth Hall, Professor Jacob will speak on "Changing Values in College."

Three discussion groups will meet from 3 to 5 p.m. Group i will discuss "Discrimination on the Campus" at the SAE fraternity house. Patrick O. Burns '59, chairman of the Dartmouth Undergraduate Council Committee on Discrimination, will lead the discussions and Dr. Allport will be its consultant.

Group 2 will meet in the Wren Room at Sanborn House to discuss the question,

"Should the Classroom Instructor Be Concerned with Education for Moral Responsibility?" Dr. Eddy and Dr. Underwood will lead this discussion group.

Group 3 will meet in the lounge of Russell Sage Hall where the topic will be "Student Self-Education." Discussion leaders will be J. Robert Hillier, chairman of the Undergraduate Honor Committee, Princeton University; Miss Sheila Slawsby, chairman, Student Education Committee, Wellesley College; and Kurt Wehbring '59, president of the Dartmouth Undergraduate Council.

At 7:30 p.m. in 105 Dartmouth Hall Mr. Taft will address the convocation on "Self-Advancement." At 9:15 the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, with William Steinberg conducting, will present a concert dedicated to the memory of President William Jewett Tucker. The concert is part of the College Concert Series.

The Saturday program starts at 2 p.m. at 105 Dartmouth Hall with an address, "Discrimination on the Campus," by Dr. Allport. The discussion groups will continue their talks of the previous day. Mr. Mumford will deliver the principal address in 105 Dartmouth at 8:30 p.m.

The convocation will close Sunday morning with a College Worship Service in Rollins Chapel. The Rev. David A. MacLennan, minister of The Brick Presbyterian Church, Rochester, N. Y., will preach the sermon.

The Tucker Foundation is a long-cherished dream at Dartmouth. It was created in 1951 by the Trustees to provide "witness that liberal learning is anchored in the moral and spiritual needs of man." The early Dartmouth was closely allied with church activity under a long line of preacher-presidents. Compulsory chapel and a religiously oriented curriculum were part of Dartmouth life as late as 1924.

A vigorous religious climate has existed since then, but until the Tucker Foundation concept it has lacked the focus of an all-College institution. The Tucker Foundation will also attempt to reach those students whose religious outlook is divergent or even unorthodox, but who are concerned about the moral fulfillment of the human race.

The aims and spirit of the foundation were perhaps best expressed by the man it honors, President William Jewett Tucker, in these words in chapel at the turn of the century:

I make no closing plea for any formal religion, but I do plead, now as always for the religious spirit. ... Seek, I pray you, moral distinction. Be not content with the commonplace in character any more than with the commonplace in ambition or intellectual attainment. Do not expect that you will make any lasting or very strong impression on the world through intellectual power without the use of an equal amount of conscience and heart."

The convocation events are open to the public. Alumni, parents, and friends of the College are cordially invited to join the students, faculty members and townspeople in marking this significant step in the spiritual and moral life of the College. For further information write or phone The Tucker Foundation, Dartmouth College, Hanover.

Dean Berthold conferring with a student in the Tucker Foundation offices in Wentworth Hall.