1960 Commencement
THE 191st Dartmouth Commencement is now history, but in the years to come it will be remembered as a record-breaker as some 657 seniors, the largest graduating class in the history of the College, were awarded Bachelor of Arts degrees. The parents, alumni and visitors who witnessed the combined commencement and baccalaureate exercises June 12 also made up one of the largest graduation crowds in many years.
The sun refused, however, to offer its full blessing on the record-breaking Class of i960 or the near-record crowd gathered on the Baker Library lawn. From behind gray clouds it revealed itself only from time to time. Those attending commencement, though, found warmth and food for thought in the words of the Commencement Address delivered by Whitney N. Seymour, president-elect of the American Bar Association.
Mr. Seymore, who is the father of Dean Thaddeus Seymour, told the graduating seniors, "Our country does not run just by multiplying and enforcing the laws. It runs primarily because most people obey certain fundamental concepts in which they believe. And they try to teach and persuade the rest to obey them too. Those who take the lead or have a part in this are the disinterested citizens who are the backbone of our society. They maintain its qualities; they are the insurers of its freedom.
"I call them 'disinterested' because they did not undertake these tasks for personal gain, but because they felt a sense of duty and pride which required them to serve as they did."
The seniors found themselves in distinguished company as eight outstanding men in fields ranging from music to law received honorary degrees. They were:
Hadley Cantril '28, chairman of the Institute of International Social Research, and Rene C. Dubos, member of the Rockefeller Institute in New York, Doctors of Science;
Leonard Bernstein, director of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Doctor of Humane Letters;
Budd Schulberg '36, author, Doctor of Letters;
Robert K. Carr '29, president of Oberlin College; Robert C. Hill '42, Ambassador to Mexico; Peter Kiewit '22, contractor and president of the Peter Kiewit and Sons Co., and Mr. Seymour, Doctors of Law.
In addition 21 students presented by Dean Tenney received diplomas in medicine from the Medical School. Twentyfive other men, presented by Dean Kim-ball, received the Master's degree from Thayer School, and thirteen men were given Masters' degrees by the College. President Dickey delivered the Valedictory for the College to the graduating class, saying in part, "You and Dartmouth today come to the end of a four-year effort to make a difference in the most important thing in the world to you, yourself. None of us knows, neither your parents nor teachers, least of all yourself, just how much of a difference these four years have made in you. The curtain separating today from tomorrow stands between us and knowing that. We can only know that we who serve Dartmouth have cared and will always care more about what you are than can ever be said as between men without risking the weakness of sentimentality."
The valedictory for the senior class was given by Harrison C. Dunning '60 of Moylan, Pa., who spoke on "The Image of the Educated Man." "Few could doubt today," he said, "that we have sufficient opportunity to exercise the capacities for conscious decision, the inclination toward tolerance and the talent for common leadership." All three were described by Mr. Dunning as characteristics expected of the "educated man."
The commencement ceremonies were the climax of three days of memorable events, traditional as the bells in Baker Library, which on Friday, June 10, first called the men of 1960 to Class Day exercises in the Bema. The seniors added a new feature to the traditions of Class Day by paying tribute to the retiring members of the faculty. Forming at Rollins Chapel instead of the Senior Fence, the graduating class circled the campus and passed in review before the steps of Dartmouth Hall where President Dickey, Dean Seymour and the retiring faculty members were gathered in cap and gown. It was an innovation, proposed by the seniors themselves, that may become a permanent part of the ceremonies.
Class president James D. Foch Jr., of Eau Claire, Mich., opened the exercises with the Welcoming Address to parents and guests. The Class Oration was given by Saul W. Baernstein of Houston, Texas, and Anthony Z. Roisman of Oklahoma City, Okla. James E. Marlow of Aberdeen, S. D., read the Class Poem.
Following the Address to the College by Morton M. Kondracke of Springfield, Ohio, the seniors moved to the Old Pine where Thomas A. Hickey Jr. of Elgin, Ill., dressed in Indian costume, gave the Sachem Oration. The traditional Address to the Old Pine was given by Frank J. Yeager of Boulder, Colo., while the seniors smoked their clay pipes. The ceremony was concluded as the graduates broke their pipes on the stump of the Old Pine as thousands of Dartmouth men had done before them.
Friday evening was a time to sit and listen as the Class of '79 Trumpeters were heard from Baker Library tower and the Baker chimes played once again the traditional Dartmouth songs. It was a time also to reflect upon the beauty of the campus as the College concert band presented a sparkling variety of pieces. Later Friday evening President and Mrs. Dickey were at home to the seniors, their parents, faculty and alumni in the garden of the President's House. The glee club concert in Webster Hall and the commencement dance in Dartmouth House completed the Friday activities.
Phi Beta Kappa held its traditional meeting Saturday morning and this was followed by commissioning ceremonies in the Bema for the College's three ROTC units. Lieutenant General Edward J. O'Neill, commanding general of the First United States Army, delivered the commissioning address. A total of 144 men were commissioned in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.
The annual commencement luncheon was held Saturday in Alumni Gymnasium and the large crowd overflowed on to the lawn outside with seniors mingling with alumni. It was in truth a picnic with fried chicken and potato salad.
Following the luncheon, the crowd gathered in the upper part of the gymnasium to hear Sidney C. Hayward '26, Secretary of the College, review the year's activities in Hanover. President Dickey in addressing the seniors outlined the qualities which make up the Dartmouth spirit and told how the College's location and history brought them into being. D. Borden Powers, newly elected chairman of the senior class, spoke for the graduating seniors and Professor Emeritus Andrew J. Scarlett '10 gave the Address for the 50-Year Class.
Walter W. Rowe '90 was given a standing round of applause for being present for his 70th reunion. He and Professor Emeritus John H. Gerould '90, who lives in Hanover, celebrated their reunion at a dinner. They were the oldest alumni back for Commencement.
Also during the Saturday luncheon meeting, Harold P. Hinman '10 of Canaan Street, N. H., was presented one of three Alumni Awards made this June. Mr. Hinman is the founder of Cardigan Mountain School for boys and has been active in alumni affairs for many years.
Saturday afternoon was a time to relax and watch the Big Green rugby team or crew in action. The varsity crew crossed the finish line ahead of Columbia, but the freshmen lost their race to MIT. For others, who were not athletically inclined, there was time to take a pleasant ride and to see once again the beauty of the Connecticut Valley.
On the eve of the commencement ceremonies reunion banquets were held by the Classes of 1900 and 1910. Another concert by the band and the Dartmouth Players' production of Guys and Dolls saw Saturday draw to a close.
As Sunday dawned the sky was overcast, but as the time for the ceremonies approached the sun made an effort to shine down upon the occasion. The seniors, marching from the gymnasium to Baker Library, stretched out their double file to make the longest procession in the history of the College.
Within a matter of a few hours these same men were leaving the Hanover Plain. They were extending their ranks around the "girdled earth" and the Class of i960 was taking its place beside the other young alumni classes of large size and even larger potential for achievement in community, nation and the world.
Commencement morning view from Baker tower, showing the senior line of record length.
Seniors marching to the Bema for the Class Day exercises that opened the weekend.
On his way to the Old Pine for Class Day, the Sachem Orator needed a helping hand.
Lt. Gen. Edward J. O'Neill spoke at ROTC commissioning ceremonies held in the Bema.
