Joel Peter Benezet Memorial

DR. AND MRS. LOUIS T. BENEZET '36 and their family are establishing at Dartmouth College a memorial for their sophomore son, Joel, who was killed November 30, 1963 while rendering aid on a Vermont roadside. The suggestion of a memorial was contained in a letter to the Benezets from President John Dickey who concluded it with these words. A capacity for responsibility and concern for others fortunately does not usually exact the price of life itself, but if and when you decide on some memorial to Joel I hope it may reflect the proud fact that even in the sophomore year of college these ageless aims of education found expression in his life and in his death."

The Benezets and the committee which they appointed have focused on a memorial which would have as its purpose the recognition and inspiration in Dartmouth sophomores of an understanding of human concerns and problems and a sense of responsibility for the community. Much is being done in our colleges to gear up the specialist, but less to remind the specialist what his accomplishments are for.

One possible approach to the objectives of this memorial would be an annual weekend retreat for a group of about twelve sophomores with the President of the College. The committee is therefore pleased to announce that arrangements have been completed for a weekend trip to the Dartmouth College Grant in early October 1965. Informal discussions between the sophomores and the President will be the focus of the retreat, but the program will remain flexible and the President will be given the widest latitude in continuing the memorial's purpose.

The committee hopes to select sophomores whose understanding, thoughtfulness, concern for the future of the College and society, and ability and interest in reflective thinking, will make them highly desirable participants. Selection on the basis of campus office and popularity alone will be avoided.

The committee appointed for the Joel Peter Benezet Memorial consists of Donald C. McKinlay '37 of Denver, chairman; Hadley Cantril '2B of Princeton, N. J.; Arthur H. Kiendl Jr. '44 of Northfield, Mass.; and Prof. Frank Smallwood '51 of Hanover.

There will be no solicitation of funds but anyone wishing to contribute may do so by making a gift to Dartmouth College for the Joel Peter Benezet Memorial.

Joel P. Benezet '66