Treasurer Emeritus

THE name of the Episcopal student center at Dartmouth - Edgerton House - will have a familiar ring to many Dartmouth men for it bears the name of Halsey C. Edgerton '06, who was a member of the College's administrative staff for 43 years and served as Treasurer and chief financial officer from 1916 to 1949. In his days of retirement the center has become the focus of his abiding interest in Dartmouth and Hanover life.

The center was built through a gift the Edgertons made to Hanover's St. Thomas Episcopal Church. "The idea actually was my wife's," explained Mr. Edgerton. "She talked it over with me, and we thought it was the best possible gift we could make, both for the church and for the College."

"We had heard Father Hodder (The Reverend Leslie W. Hodder, Pastor of St. Thomas) talking frequently about the urgent need for better facilities for the church's student programs," added Mrs. Edgerton, "so one Sunday, after talking with Halsey, I went up to Father Hodder and said, 'We'll build a student center for you, Father' - and that was that!"

Although the building is named Edgerton House, a plaque just inside the main entrance reads: "Given to the glory of God in thanksgiving for the ministry of Father Leslie W. Hodder by Mr. and Mrs. Halsey C. Edgerton."

The Edgertons now live a quiet life of retirement in their lovely home on Occom Ridge, a house once owned by Dr. William Jewett Tucker during his years in Hanover. The Edgertons' two sons, William H. '57 and Robert A. '59, are both away from Hanover - Bill working in Boston and Bob serving with the United States Army.

After many years of activity, both with the College and in various business organizations, Mr. Edgerton seems to welcome the life of retirement. He was busy enough during his years at Dartmouth as President Hopkins' right-hand man. "Halsey always had more papers heaped on his desk than any other man in Parkhurst Hall," said one associate, "but he always knew exactly which pile contained the paper he was after. There wasn't much going on at Dartmouth that escaped his notice."

A native Vermonter, Halsey Edgerton is taciturn and modest.

"My thinking was always to try and keep costs to a minimum," he answered simply to an inquiry about his philosophy towards College finances when he was in office.

In addition to his duties with the College, Mr. Edgerton served as president of the Dartmouth National Bank and of the Northfield (Vermont) National Bank. He was a director of the New England Electric System and New England Power Company for many years and is still on the board of Granite State Electric. He was also a trustee of the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital, a board member of the Dartmouth Outing Club, and served for some years with the Hanover Improvement Society.

But most of his time and energies were devoted to steering the College finances through two World Wars and a major depression. The Dartmouth portfolio, now managed by a sub-committee of the Trustees and a professional management firm, was handled almost single-handedly by Mr. Edgerton during his term as Treasurer.

"Halsey had a keen sense of judgment, an almost intuitive feeling for sound investments," reported one man who worked closely with him. "Both President Hopkins and the Trustees had great faith in his advice."

"I just tried to keep the lid on things," Mr. Edgerton told an interviewer a few years ago.

"The College always came out in the black each year," Mrs. Edgerton told us, "and that took some doing in those days!"

Mrs. Edgerton is most enthusiastic about the way Edgerton House is working out.

"We go down occasionally just to visit and there are always some students there -reading, studying, playing ping-pong. The kitchen is a big attraction. The boys can get coffee and a sandwich there. The center has a homelike atmosphere which we feel is important."

Mr. Edgerton walked out of the room, returned in a minute to hand us a leaflet, which is given to all students, describing Edgerton House, its programs, and facilities. It was as though he were saying, "It's all here. All you need to know about Edgerton House."

And so it is. For this gift the Edgertons have given, out of a lifetime of work and savings, is not one for which they want tribute or thanks. Many generations of Dartmouth men will know the pleasures and benefits of Edgerton House and this is their thanksgiving.

Halsey C. Edgerton '06