1910
We can credit our own "Shorty" Stern, with writing what amounts to a brisk and snappy "Wah Hoo Wah for liberal arts education." In a recent issue of the Chicago Tribune, in one of its feature columns, "Chicago Forum," he discussed, "How Warmth and Sympathy Figure in Executive Work." Lawrence F. "Shorty" Stern is chairman of the Board, American National Bank and Trust Company, Chicago. He was president of the bank for a long and successful term of years and has served as president of the Chicago Clearing House. While with us in College he teamed up with our Sheldon "Smitty" Smith to bring tennis trophies to Hanover.
Shorty's selection of such a subject for his discussion, classifies him as a man who has qualities and has practiced principles quite at variance with the old ideas with which bankers have usually been credited. The article is a discussion of human relations. To quote a bit:
Much of the turmoil and frustration that exist today could be avoided if every person made a concerted effort to respect and understand those people with whom he works and lives. This is true in business as well as in personal life, and particularly in those organizations whose primary function is to perform services. Of course, banks are in this category. Every organization presents to the public a distinct personality, the composite result of the attitudes each member of the organization has towards both fellow employees and customers. No amount of money can offset a poor "corporate image" if the cause lies within the organization itself.
In my opinion an executive is basically a coördinator of diverse operations. Recently a leading business publication made a nation-wide survey of successful executives. It was discovered that the majority of those interviewed were not financial or engineering specialists. Rather, they were products of liberal arts education. The implications are obvious: the men trained in understanding people were those who most often became effective leaders. Many hours of our lives are spent working. Some executives spend more time at the office than they do at home. I submit that for the peace of mind, if for no other reason, the place where you work should be a source of contentment and satisfaction. No such environment is possible unless the people working with you participate in mutual respect and affection. It is tragic the number of otherwise successful men who have failed to achieve the most important of human goals: tranquility and true satisfaction in one's accomplishments.
The "Chicago Forum" column of the particular day when "Shorty's" contribution appeared, very definitely carried real stimulation to every businessman-reader's thinking.
There are several Tenners who, like Ted "Baldy" Baldwin did not spend all four years with us. We have always figured, "Once a Tenner, always a Tenner" and for that reason have kept their names on the Class list to provide information about the doings of Tenners. "Baldy" lives in California and that is a long distance from Hanover. But he has not forgotten those good old days at Dartmouth. When we wrote thanking him for his contributions to the Alumni Fund and to the Class dues account, we emphasized that we are all interested to keep all Tenners within the fold. That stirred another letter from him, from which we quote in the hope that reading this will stir some more Tenners who do not feel certain of their connection with the Class. He writes: "Many thanks for your kindness in writing to me as you did, sort of bringing me into the Class again. That Harvard game that you went to see, must have been as painful to lose as the one that I went back from Chicago to see while enrolled at the U. of C. in 1908. The boys really made it a banner year with those last two wins. If the Princeton game had been televised, "Chuck" Emerson's successor would have been swamped with applications from top-notchers seeking scholarships from all over the country. Thank you for the lovely Christmas card. May your health keep you with us all until the last Tenner has lost his voice." Again, we say, "Once a Tenner, always a Tenner."
We have discovered the name of another Tenner who belongs to the Florida Tenner crowd. Art Lee is the guy, and again we say, "Let us know when you go — we don't like to overlook any Tenner fortunate enough to get into that famous sunshine."
Although Jack Thomas lives in the neighboring state of Maine, he has not "been back to Hanover since I saw a Cornell football game there years ago." Says he wouldn't know the place. Well, Jack, they: have made just a few changes since we left, but there are enough of the old landmarks so we who go back each June find many spots to stir memories of fifty years ago. "Still practicing law about ¾ time," writes Jack, "and taking care of a garden in the country for exercise, and getting my pleasure from radio, TV and Hi-Fi, and the roses and glads. About my only tie with the College now is the MAGAZINE and the Class notes. I am very grateful for those." We sincerely hope to see you in Hanover in '60 if not before, Jack.
Word came to us via Dick Carpenter, that the parents and boosters of his Babe Ruth league team, gave Louie Langdell a blow-out featured by a huge cake and gifts. Louie's team with a record of ten wins and five losses gained the runner-up spot in the final standing. Louie keeps in top shape physically, so he can demonstrate the manner in which his youngsters are to perform on the diamond.
Whit Eastman, as most of us know, has been very active in Boy Scout work locally and nationally. He has had many honors bestowed because of his activity and generosity. He probably gets most satisfaction out of all that has happened since he gave a collection of books on natural history to start a library at the Viking Council Boy Scout North Woods Camp in Minnesota. Writing personal letters to a host of friends, telling about the library, brought in contributions of books, many autographed. Result was that this "Library in the Wilderness" proved a genuine attraction to the boys. "I was overwhelmed by the response," wrote Easty, "Herbert Hoover sent several of his own books, Jim Forrestal, first Secretary of Defense, sent a copy of "The Parade of the Presidents." The late Walter W. Head, president of the Boy Scouts of America at the time, sent a copy of the "Phantom Backfield." Volumes were sent by prominent men in all walks of life. And now the success and popularity of the project have produced a call for Easty to carry out a similar undertaking to establish a library at Scout National headquarters in New Brunswick, N. J. Tenners who feel inclined to hear this call, will delight Easty if they will add to this collection. Drop a line to him.
When this number of the MAGAZINE reaches most Tenners, it will be getting close to reunion time in Hanover. You will be glad you stirred yourself if you break through the shell, and join the group there, June 15 to 18.
Dorothy and Ken Knapp '11 enjoying Florida. Ken retired last May after serving for many years as City Engineer of Rochester, N. Y.
Secretary, 501 Cannon Pl, Troy, N. Y.
Class Agent, 8 N. Balch St., Hanover, N. H.
