1914's 50th
If Emerson was correct in his statement "An institution is the lengthened shadow of one man" then our 50th reunion is the lengthened and deepened shadow of Frederic Armstrong Davidson - our Reunion Chairman — and the other able and dedicated men in our class who helped Freddy create this never-to-be-forgotten event. Every man on every committee gave unstintingly of his time - hours, weeks, months (and also of his own money) to mould this event into the perfection that it achieved. The thanks of every one of us must go to every one of these self-sacrificing and efficient men.
For many this was the first reunion - and "the grinding circumstance of fate" may conspire against us in the future. But, whether this was a first re-visit to Hanover since 1914, one of several returns, or one of a few widely-spaced visits, it was happiness expected and fully realized.
They came, of course, these classmates, wives, children, grandchildren and, yes, widows, from "round the girdled earth" - a happy pilgrimage to the place which every one of us holds dear.
Is it changed? Yes, but still unchanged. For Dartmouth - any college - is far more than buildings, places, and events. It's people, "young men in happy quests" and the reunion is a re-calling of these young men in joy, sadness, in frustration, in achievement.
Are we changed? In appearance, in bearing, in position? Yes, but in the one great loyalty and one great love unchanged - just enhanced by the years that have passed.
Every event in the full reunion calendar was just that - planned, prepared and executed as an event in a weekend that will always be in our memories.
Are we, perhaps, justifiably proud that our attendance record was the best in Dartmouth's long reunion history? Certainly, and grateful to the organizing genius of the reunion committee who planned and executed this event to its most happy and memorable conclusion.
The 50-year address has been known to be sententious - even pompous. But Sig Larmon, to whom came the well-deserved honor of delivering this address, is a total stranger to these traits - and his unassuming words showed it! In simple, unadorned fashion, with welcome flashes of humor, Sig gave us his modest statements - highlighted by his announcement that every member of this year's graduating class will receive a soon-to-be-published history of Dartmouth College, "The College on the Hill."
And, our beloved Mart Remsen was again honored by the alumni of the College he has served so long, so generously, and so widely in being given an Alumni Award for service to college and community, and presented a replica of the Wentworth Bowl, the original of which was presented to Eleazar Wheelock by (Governor Wentworth at Dartmouth's first commencement in 1771. No man in the long, diverse history of individual devotion to the College was ever more deserving of this honor - and the applause that greeted this presentation was ample proof that here is a son of 1914 whose qualities of heart and mind are recognized and appreciated.
Then came 1914's presentation of the Samson Occom bust to the College - a most impressive and colorful piece of statuary symbolizing our debt to the redoubtable Indian who journeyed to England in his successful quest for funds to support the hard-pressed institution of Eleazar Wheelock.
And then the Class Dinner for over 200 in beautiful Alumni Hall in Hopkins Center! Well, Lay Little, our new class chairman, master-minded this jolly occasion, and naturally it was superb! Lay as "M.C." skillfully and humorously introduced the speakers. Redoubtable Al Foley '20, retiring Professor of History, was the chief speaker in his best vein of anecdotal humor; and Bob Blackman, surely one of America's "modest men of achievement," spoke of our football losses in team personnel - and our prospects for the coming season.
It was particularly warming to hear from Jessie Beck, Charley Claey's lovely widow, who came all the way from Santa Barbara, to be with us to recite her delightful verses.
Reports of this class dinner alone, in our opinion, should prove an incentive to those in following classes who waver in the decision on whether or not to attend "The Big Fiftieth." It was great!
The prepared events were outlined in the advance program and will be treated in full in your Newsletter. And the total of all these events was just what a 50th reunion should be - fun and lots of it; reminiscence and lots of it; "Come over for a weekend, Joe" and lots of it; "Boy, am I glad to see you!" and lots of it. And a solemn pause in the day in remembrance of those who could not be with us.
Fred Davidson, 1914 reunion chairman, shown at the Commencement luncheonwith two cups won by the 50-Year Class for the highest percentage of graduatesback for reunion and also for the largest number of class members present.
CLASS SECRETARY
