The Reunion Week

FROM preliminary reports it looked like a record-breaking year for reunion attendance, but the Dartmouth weather luck that blessed last year's football season just didn't carry over into June. It started raining on Friday night of Commencement weekend and the downpour kept up intermittently for nine straight days, bringing about an attrition in attendance that reduced the expected large crowds to the proportions of a normal year.

However, even the monsoons which left Hanover thoroughly sodden couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of those who braved the weather, and reunions were as successful and colorful as ever for the nine classes that returned to Hanover for reunion week, June 15-21. Outside of the weather, the only other mishap occurred when some mischievous students, fresh out of exams, took down two of the big tents the day before the first classes were due to arrive. But the crews had them up again by the following morning and everything went off on schedule.

The older classes of 1889, 1894, 1899, and the 50-Year Class of 1909 held their reunions over Commencement weekend and took part in the general festivities of those three days; but Reunion Week really began with the arrival of 1923 Sunday evening, June 14, and the Classes of 1919, 1924, and 1925 on the following day. These groups remained until Wednesday evening or Thursday morning when the first influx of 1934, the 25-Year Class, began to trickle in. By Friday morning the classes of 1943, 1944, 1945, and 1949 had arrived in Hanover and all of these later classes stayed until the various memorial services held Sunday morning, June 21.

Of the classes holding forth the first part of the week, 1923 started things off first with a cocktail party and dinner at the Outing Club House Sunday evening. The other early classes started Monday evening with rounds of cocktail parties and banquets, and after these various gatherings President and Mrs. Dickey received the alumni in Thayer Hall. Tuesday morning brought the usual class meetings, pictures, and outings; and many found time to attend a showing of the film "Mountain Farm," narrated by Paul Sample '20, artist in residence.

At the reunion luncheon and alumni meeting in the gymnasium, Francis Brown '25, vice president of the General Association of Alumni, presided and speakers were Sidney C. Hayward '26, secretary of the Association, and President John Sloan Dickey. There were more parties and dinners that evening and the Dartmouth Players topped things off with an exceptional performance of "The Boy Friend" in Webster Hall. Wednesday morning just about wrapped things up for the early classes and a deceptive quiet settled over Hanover that night and Thursday morning.

By Thursday afternoon the first contingent of 1934 had arrived and, following a reception and buffet given by the College for the 25-Year Class, a special 1934 Hanover Holiday session featured Prof. Lewis D. Stilwell speaking on "Dartmouth in the Past 25 Years." Friday brought in the Classes of 1943, 1944, 1945 and 1949 with the usual flurry of social activities in the tents. President and Mrs. Dickey received in Baker Library that evening, and many of the more active reuners eventually wound up at the alumni dance in College Hall.

Saturday turned out to be a sunny day (mostly) and was devoted to meetings, class pictures and outings. At the 106th meeting of the General Association of Alumni, held immediately after luncheon in the gymnasium, Sidney C. Hayward '26, secretary of the Association, presided and Clarence V. Opper '18, president of the Alumni Council, presented the 1959 alumni awards, reported elsewhere in this issue. President Dickey spoke briefly and the meeting concluded with the singing of "Men of Dartmouth." That evening the Dartmouth Players again put on "The Boy Friend" to a large and receptive audience despite the performance's being delayed by a violent thunderstorm which cut off electric service to the whole area. Later on the tents claimed large crowds as the Hanover beer barons scurried back and forth with appropriate supplies, and spirited bands gave forth with their dixie or swing. The 1934 tent kept going until well into the night and the class raffle alone lasted until three a.m. when it seemed as if every person in the class must have won something.

Sunday morning dawned bright and clear, raising spirits and drying out the tents. The classes started leaving about noon, following their memorial services, but the last stragglers could still be seen packing up for the trip home at supper time. It had been the dampest Reunion Week on record, but it still had been full of fun, fellowship, and pleasant memories enough to last for five years until the next one.

The Hanover Holiday sessions held during reunion week were marked by good crowds and enthusiasm. Faculty speakers were: Severn P. C. Duvall Jr., Professor of English; Chauncey N. Allen '24, Professor of Psychology; Meredith O. Clement, Professor of.Economics; Vilhjalmur Stefansson, arctic consultant to the College; H. Gordon Skilling, Professor of Government; John G. Gazley, Professor of History; Lewis D. Stilwell, Professor of History; and Paul Sample '20, artist in residence. Leading two panel discussions were Stanley C. Smoyer '34, Secretary of Johnson and Johnson Inc., and Martin J. Dwyer '34, Lennen & Newell Inc. Others taking part in these panels were: Dana S. Redington '34, Cate School, Carpinteria, Calif.; Perkins Bass '34, U.S. Representative in Congress; Seymour Dunn '34, Dean of Gettysburg College; Moe Frankel '34, Director of the Joint Council on Economic Education; Robert U. Brown '34, President of the Editor and Publisher Co.; Jerry A. Danzig '34, Vice President of the National Broad-casting Co.; Frank Parmalee '34, foreign operations, Toledo Scales Inc.; and John B. Torinus '34, Editor, Green Bay PressGazette.

The Dartmouth Alumni Council arrived Wednesday, June 17, and met through Friday noon, carrying on an important agenda of general sessions and committee meetings. Among the organized social events held during this threeday period were the Council dinner in Thayer Hall which featured Dean Joseph L. McDonald as speaker, the annual barbecue at the Keenes' Lodge, and the stag luncheon held Friday at the Outing Club House.

Reunion Cup Winners

THE 25-Year Class of 1934 won the 1930 Cup this year for the largest reunion attendance, having 202 members back, while 1899 won the 1894 Cup for the highest percentage of living members present with 66%. These two classes were overall winners for the three reunion periods.

For the Commencement period, 1909 was the other winner, taking the 1930 Cup with 60 members present. In the middle period, 1919 with 36% won the 1894 Cup, while 1923 had the highest number with 96 present. In the third reunion period, 1934 took both cups with little opposition having their winning 202 return for a strong 42%.

Runners-up in each category were: for the early period, 1894 with 64% and 1904 with 24 members present; in the middle period, 1923 with 26% and 1925 and 1919 tied with 83 members each; and in the later period, 1949 in both categories with 128 members for 24%.

1944 holding its reunion class meeting on the steps of Dartmouth Hall.