1912 Reports "A Happy Time"

One hundred and ten men, women and children of Dartmouth 1912 returned to the Hanover campus, June 9-11, to share in a gala three-day celebration of 1912's "official" 45th reunion on the 46th anniversary of graduation.

From Monday morning, when Mark Allenand Ella, all the way from Seattle, were first to register at 1912 headquarters in Hitchcock Hall, until Dr. Harold E. "Hippo"Marden and Ruth rolled in from Albany Wednesday forenoon, each new arrival enlarged, expanded and enhanced all the other campus-reunion facilities for rejuvenation and rejoicing. Thus, there were at least 110 good reasons for billing 1912's 45th the "best reunion ever," especially for those who were happy and fortunate to be there. And this time, for good measure, oldtime campus friends were again on campus for official 45th reunions of 1913 and 1914 as well as for informal reunions of 1909 and 1910. For all hands, it was a happy time.

Among those present of the Twelver clan were 56 Classmates, 40 wives, two widows of classmates and a dozen children and grandchildren.

Monday highlights were the greetings and gatherings of the clan at Hitchcock Hall headquarters and the reunion pavilion-tent nearby on the Tuck Drive lawn. There, after cocktails, a buffet supper was served in time for Twelver groups to attend a garden reception at the home of President and Mrs. Dickey, see a showing of Dartmouth movies in Dartmouth Hall or take in the evening lecture in the Hanover Holiday series.

Tuesday morning, after the taking of official class pictures, which brought all reuning classes to mid-campus, the classmates of 1912 went to McNutt Hall's lecture room for a business meeting under the able and expeditious gavel of Chairman Basil O'Connor.

Heine Urion, unable to attend on account of illness not yet fully diagnosed, had prepared the agenda - and had also specified that "Urion is not to be re-elected Secretary." The stir brought by this announcement was audible evidence of the regret, concern and good wishes later conveyed to Heine by telegram.

Reunion Chairman Garry Garrison's report brought him an instant rising vote of appreciation and applause to match that granted to Fletcher Clark for his Treasurer's report revealing a six-year gain in funds and completion of the program for establishing 1912 Memorial Books in the Dartmouth Library for every member of the Class who has passed away from undergraduate days down to date. The Treasurer's report will be published in The Billboard.

After general discussion (and without dissent) it was then voted:

1. To hold annual "informal" reunions of the Class, beginning next year; the committee chairman therefor to be appointed by the Class Chairman.

2. To begin forthwith the preparation for publication of a Class of 1912 yearbook on the occasion of our Fiftieth Reunion in 1962 - a book covering all men, living and dead, on the rolls of Dartmouth 1912, similar in scope to that published for our 25th Reunion. Conrad E. Snow was designated as Editor-in-Chief.

Dick Remsen's report as chairman of a nominating committee appointed by Class Chairman O'Connor was duly accepted and, with Eddie Luitwieler putting the motion as acting Chairman, Doc O'Connor was unanimously re-elected, together with the following officers, all to hold office until the 50th Reunion: Secretary, Garry Garrison; Treasurer, Fletcher Clark; News Letter Editor, LymanArmes; Bequest Chairman, Henry Van Dyne; Alumni Fund Agent, Edward Luitwieler; Executive Committee, class officers plus RoyLewis, Gardy Bullard, Hal Baker, NelsonDoe, Mark Allen and Randy Burns.

Earl Cutting spoke briefly but eloquently on behalf of all non-graduate members of the Class. At this meeting or later at the Class banquet telegrams from Hal Mosier, Alvie Garcia and Dr. Lyman Kinne were read along with letters or messages from Shorty Tyler, Guy Lewis, Husky Farnum, Mike Norton, Emma (Mrs. Ralph) Pettingell, and Alice (Mrs. Chub) Hitchcock. Garry Garrison reported that he, himself, had received communications from 99 Classmates, who could not attend the reunion for good reasons of one sort or another, many involving matters of health or travels elsewhere.

You will read elsewhere in this issue why President Dickey calls this a "Vintage Year" in Dartmouth's history of achievement, weather-wise, in athletics, in academic advancement and alumni devotion. He and officials of the General Association of Alumni spoke to all reuning alumni and their wives at the annual Alumni Luncheon, Tuesday noon, in Thayer Hall.

That night, after a gay Hanover Inn social hour, some singing of oldtime campus melodies and a no-oratory banquet at which Chairman Doc O'Connor presided over a head table composed of newly elected officers and executive committeemen of 1912, Dr. ArtBurnham and Quechee French screened a showing of color slides and motion pictures of the past, contributed by classmates, and Bud Hoban got himself a big round of applause with a showing of spectacular motion pictures in color of Mexico's famous Paricutin volcano, which built a sudden flaming mountain in a cornfield, and of his recent travels in Hawaii with Barbara last winter.

Those who missed the "1912 movies" attended the Dartmouth Players' show in Webster Hall ... but nobody missed the farewell wind-up next day,, when 1912, 1914 and 1918 joined for a monster buffet luncheon. This overflowed from the Inn dining room to the terrace overlooking the campus Wednesday noon. That ended the "official" 45th Reunion of Dartmouth 1912 ... except for unofficial "continuation" parties all along the line as Twelvers reluctantly went their several ways, all speaking hopefully of that golden 50th ... in 1962. See you then!

The Class of 1908, winner of the 1894 Cup for highest percentage of living members present, celebrated its 50th Reunion.

Fifty-six classmates and forty wives answered the roll call at the 1912 Reunion.

CLASS NEWSLETTER EDITOR