COMMENCEMENT 1965

1935, 1955, 1965. These were the recent years that the rains came on Commencement Day and forced the ceremonies indoors. The mathematical progression would place the next indoor Commencement in 1970. After last month's experience there should be little agonizing about the traditional outdoor ceremony if this eventuality occurs then - or earlier. The fact is that the 1965 Commencement in the new Nathaniel Leverone Field House was another beautiful ceremony and an almost unqualified success the first time around.

The geometric forms of the Nervi-designed arch, the special curtains that closed off the ceremonial area, and excellent acoustics combined with the traditional color and pomp of the ceremonies to make it another memorable Dartmouth event.

It was the first test of the Field House as a site for Commencement and there were some in Hanover who secretly hoped for rain so that it could be made.

For those who pay little attention to the many details and arrangements necessary in planning events such as Commencement, perhaps some explanation is in order.

Each year two sites, one outdoors and one indoors, are prepared. This involves, among other things, setting up some 5,000-6,000 seats and a speakers' platform at both. The Bema served for many years before the crowds outgrew that limited space and the ceremonies were moved to the Baker Library lawn. The bad-weather site was topside in Alumni Gymnasium and later in Webster Hall. Overflow space was provided in Rollins Chapel which was equipped with a speaker system.

All this meant that each year the President had to confer with members of the Committee on Commencement at about 9 a.m. Commencement Day to arrive at a decision indoors or out? An indoor commencement meant that many parents, friends and visitors could not witness the ceremonies. On the other hand, a sudden shower outdoors could spoil the ceremonies for everyone. The Weather Bureaus throughout New England were consulted frequently as the time of decision neared.

This year President Dickey's decision was made easier by the knowledge that good facilities with room for all who wished to see the final ceremonies would be available,

The possibility of an indoor Commencement in the Field House was one of the design concepts of the building, of course.

And it worked well. There was no academic procession down Wheelock Street, but the throng of about 5,500 assembled in the Field House still caught glimpses of the procession of faculty in their colorful academic gowns and hoods. The 629 solemn seniors, the 180 sophisticated winners of advanced degrees, and the six bemused honorary degrees recipients all marched and stood and sat.

The Invocation, the singing of Milton's Paraphrase ofPsalm CXXXVI ("Let us with a gladsome mind ..."), the Valedictory to the College by Richard Elmore Jones '65, the conferring of advanced degrees ("Mr. President, I now present to you the candidates for the degree of ..."), the conferring of honorary degrees, the Commencement and Baccalaureate Address by Secretary of the Interior Stewart Lee Udall, the conferring of Bachelor of Arts degrees with its long line of black gowns parading to the stand, the Valedictory to the Seniors by President Dickey, the singing of Men of Dartmouth, the Benediction and finally, the Recessional.

It was a memorable Commencement. The pageantry was impressive. Secretary Udall's speech was stirring as he called for a halt to the despoilment of the American environment and for the beginning of a quest for excellence. But chances are the thing that most of the graduating seniors will remember best is the reading of the honorary degree citation honoring Shiko Munakata, the Japanese print-maker, who has no English. After President Dickey read the citation in English, Donald Bartlett '24, Professor of Japanese Studies, repeated it in Japanese for Munakata's benefit.

Early Sunday morning, a new feature of the Commencement program was a chapel service for seniors, their families, and guests. Rollins Chapel was filled for the service presided over by the Rev. Richard P. Unsworth, Dean of the Tucker Foundation. The guest preacher was Dr. Herbert Gezork, president of Andover Newton Theological Seminary.

For Class Day in the Bema the seniors were favored with one of Hanover's finest June days.

President Dickey was resplendent in his new McGill hood.

Dog control was the usual losing battle.

In a successful innovation, Commencement Luncheon at the field house also made use of the adjoining baseball outfield.

Reserve officer commissions were given to 97 seniors.

Rear Admiral William B. Sieglaff (l), Commandant ofthe First Naval District, who gave the ROTC graduationaddress, shown with Provost John W. Maslandand Captain Richard W. Parker of the Navy ROTC.