The Reunion Week

JUNE and the close of an academic year means the return of alumni to the campus for official College reunions. Last month held true to course and the College and the town of Hanover opened wide their arms to welcome 1,094 alumni from twelve different classes. Reunion classes ranged from 1901, back for its 60th, to 1951, which enjoyed a spirited 10th.

The weather that greeted the alumni, their wives, and children was almost ideal, but even the cool mornings of midReunion Week and the rain on Saturday of Commencement Weekend failed to chill or dampen the spirits of the 2500 strong who were back to renew the Dartmouth fellowship. The Class of 1936, the 25-year class, especially swelled the total attendance figure as it established a new all-time record with 690 counted present.

With Commencement over and the seniors gone their many ways, the College braced itself on Monday, June 12, for the first surge of reunion classes. Not forgotten, however, were the three reunions held during the Commencement Weekend. The Classes of 1901, 1906 and 1911 were well represented and all three enjoyed quiet, but pleasant gatherings. The fifty-year class of 1911 led all reunion classes this year with 61% of its living graduates in attendance.

Warm, summer-like weather greeted the Classes of 1915, 1916, 1917 and 1921. Following an afternoon of informal tent parties, a reception and dinner was held in the gymnasium for all alumni and their families. Later that evening President and Mrs. Dickey received in their garden and those wishing to attend Hanover Holiday heard a talk by Dean Fred Berthold '45 on the contributions of religion to the New Frontier.

Tuesday morning was devoted to class meetings and picture-taking on the campus. For those who had their formal business out of the way there was a Hanover Holiday lecture by Prof. Gene M. Lyons on the prospects in foreign policy. A joint luncheon by 1915, 1916 and 1917 preceded an afternoon of class parties, including a 1916 hum and a 1915 tea party. There was also a Hanover Holiday talk by Prof. Franklin Smallwood '51 on "Urban Frontiers." Tuesday evening saw class dinners for all, while the rest of the evening was spent attending The Players' production of "Pajama Game" or just reminiscing in the tents.

Wednesday was another day of farewell. All four classes held memorial services in Rollins Chapel or the White Church, and by afternoon only 1921 and 1917, holding class picnics, were still in town. The classes of 1915 and 1916 retired to Norwich and Lyme for their closing events.

The tents along Tuck Drive were no sooner empty than the great surge of 1936 men and their families began on Thursday. With its headquarters in Russell Sage, the 25-year class spread over into Butterfield, Gile, Streeter, Lord and Hitchcock. Those in town early enough were able to witness the laying of the Hopkins Center cornerstone and to take a guided tour of the partially completed structure.

1936 officially launched its reunion with a reception in the class tent and a dinner at the Hanover Inn. On Thursday evening there was a Hanover Holiday talk by Prof. Allen R. Foley '20 on "Dartmouth College: Past and Future." As the first day of the 25-year reunion ended the echoes of festivities could be heard well into the night.

Friday morning found 1936 still pretty much to itself while holding two Hanover Holiday panels on the lawn of Baker Library. Both were moderated by Louis Benezet '36, president of Colorado College. The first panel dealt with "Politics and the Educated Citizen," and included Phil Gilbert, Edwin Drechsel, Joseph Millimet and William Minsch as '36 participants. The second panel was entitled "Excellence and the Liberal Arts College," and had as '36 panelists Hugh Chase, Leonard Mead, Samuel Morse, and Kendrick Wilson.

Friday afternoon found the town filled again as 1940, 1941 and 1942 returned for a gala 20th reunion and 1951 for a roaring 10th. A repeat of the alumni reception and dinner was held at the gym-nasium as reunion activity moved into high gear. That evening saw informal visiting in the President's garden, movies in the class tent for some, and songfests and general relaxation for all.

It was down to business on Saturday morning as class meetings and picture-taking were held, and in the afternoon picnics and outings were planned. The classes of 1936 and 1942 made their way to Lake Morey, while 1940 enjoyed a barbecue at the Keenes' and 1951 a box social in its tent.

By evening the campus was humming again with 1936 and 1951 holding class banquets, and 1940 a class buffet at the DOC House. Only 1941, with its picnic at the Keenes', and 1942, still at Lake Morey, were missing. Friday's round of activity closed with another performance of "Pajama Game" by The Players and the usual beer parties in the class tents that lasted well into Sunday morning.

In the same manner as it had started, with a warm sun looking down, Reunion Week came to a close on Sunday. Memorial services were held by 1936, 1940, 1941 and 1942 in the Bema. By afternoon only a few alumni could be found in the tents, and the quiet that dominates the campus during the summer settled in for a three-month stay.

Reunion Cup Winners

The 1930 Cup for the class having the largest number of its members back for reunion went this year to 1936 with 243 men, a new record. The Class of 1942 was second with 117 men and 1951 had 114. The old record held by 1930 was 224.

The Class of 1894 Cup, given annually to the class having the largest percentage of living graduates back, was won by 1911 with 71 of 118 men present for a 61% showing. 1936 was runner-up with 48%, and 1915 had 43%.

A big help to 1936 in setting a new reunion attendance record was the 100% turnout by the 13-member family of Dr. Tom Monagan '36 of Waterbury, Conn. With Pediatrician Tom and wife Margie are Marguerite 17, Ann 16, Tom Jr. 14, Barbie 12, Chris 11, Jane and Betsy 9, Bernadette 8, Mary 7, and Sheila 5. Carolyn, 2, was napping when the picture was taken.