On January 11 a splendid testimonial dinner

On January 11 a splendid testimonial dinner honored Basil (Doc) O'Connor '12 at the Waldorf Astoria on his seventieth birthday. The proceeds from the $70 per plate dinner went to the National Foundation which he has served so illustriously as president. The co-chairmen for the dinner were Helen Hayes, Dr. Milton Eisenhower, and Brig. Gen. David Sarnoff. The Class of 1912 was represented at this event by James A. Steen and Conrad E. Snow. Miss Hayes presented Doc with a scroll honoring him for his leadership in the interests of his fellow man:

The nature of leadership defies definition. It is revealed as much in the achievements of those who follow as in the character of him who For leadership is a creative force through which all the wisdom, the courage, and the dedication to high purpose of one individual are communicated to the minds and hearts of others, proliferating and expanding and ultimately finding expression in the deeds, the accomplishments, and the progress of people. In you, Basil O'Connor those who acknowledge responsibility for the well-being of their fellow men have found the generating force that spurs men to creative action. As evidence of this nation's respect and admiration for one whose productive leadership has given to the hopes and aspirations of the people of his time, we honor you on the happy occasion of your seventieth birthday in grateful recognition of a litetime of devoted service and outstanding leadership in marshalling and directing the resources of mankind toward those pursuits which bring dignity to human life, vigor to the human spirit, and breadth to the human intellect.