1923's 45th
Under the very efficient direction of KenQuencer, 1923's early 45th Reunion was held jointly with 1921, 1922, and 1927 on June 12 to 14. A total of 178 including 81 wives, daughters, and widows of classmates joined together in renewing old friendships. The weather was inconsistent as usual but no one seemed to mind and the busy days passed all too quickly. We were particularly glad to see those who came from far distant places - Monk Keith from Costa Rica and Len Marshall, Cap Palmer, and PaulMcKeon from California.
Festivities began on Monday, June 12 with registration at 105 Gile Hall. The afternoon was available for settling down and re-orientation and at 6:00 P.M. we joined the other reunioning classes in Leverone Field House for cocktails and dinner. On both Monday and Tuesday evenings the Dartmouth Players gave an excellent and very modern presentation of two ancient but lively musicals in Hopkins Center Theater.
Tuesday, June 13, began with a "Dartmouth Today" discussion, sponsored jointly by the reuning classes in Spauding Auditorium. Wilbur W. Bullen '22 acted as moderator. Speakers were Deans Seymour and Tribus. This was immediately followed by a "Whither Dartmouth" discussion moderated by Ellis O. Briggs '21. Speakers were Leonard M. Rieser '44, Provost of the College and Franklin Smallwood '51, Professor of Government. The latter discussion was in turn followed by a question and answer period with College Trustees Wood-house '21, Sullivan '21, and Dodd '22 as panelists.
At one o'clock on Tuesday we adjourned to Storrs Pond for a delightful class luncheon climaxed by the auctioning - for the benefit of the Alumni Fund - of a substantial part of the old Hanover Inn. CapPalmer was the auctioneer. On the basis of Cap's performance he has probably missed his true calling. The party broke up about four o'clock.
Later on Tuesday we gathered for cocktails and dinner at Thayer where your correspondent, at least, enjoyed probably the best meal he ever had in Hanover. The highlight of our class dinner was the presentation of well earned citations to classmates Joe Pollard and Al Pianca who are retiring after many years of outstanding service on the college faculty. From the class dinner we moved to the campus where old memories of undergraduate hums were revived as the four reunioning classes did their best to attain a degree of volume if not harmony. Our Jack Booth directed the singing of the four classes.
Wednesday, the last day of our return to Dartmouth, began with the class meeting in Faulkner Hall at Hopkins Center. Prior to the meeting we had all been happy and proud to hear that our President JohnMoore had been elected president of the Class Presidents Association - a well deserved tribute. Congratulations, John!
At the class meeting, the following officers were elected: John S. Moo-re - president — to serve until June 1968; Karl C. Williams - president - to serve from June 1968 to June 1973; Walter C. Dodge - secretary; Theodore R. Miner - treasurer; Louis V. Wilcox - class agent; Truman T. Metzel - bequest chairman; Leon L. Freeman - scholarship chairman; Sidney J. Flanigan - "Skiddoo" editor.
The class meeting was highlighted by the reports of our four financial experts. BudFreeman will claim that he merely read a few letters from boys we have helped who obviously appreciated that help. It was the way Bud read these letters and the feeling that went with the reading that gave us a sense of the good we are doing. TrumanMetzel's report on the Bequest Program was concise, urgent, and convincing. We realized again that our money is safe and well cared for by Babe Miner and finally we appreciated how much Lou Wilcox has done for the Class and the College in his long hours of hard work as class agent.
Chet Bixby, who is retiring after thirteen years of arduous service as class secretary, has agreed to remain on as senior vice-president. Chet's contribution to the class is best summed up in Irish Flanigan's comment in his latest issue of "Skiddoo." It is the many "extras" Chet has contributed to the class that have brought us together in so many ways and endeared him to all of us.
Time, in the form of the ALUMNI MAGAZINE deadline, makes it impractical to give you a full resume of Karl Williams's many accomplishments and qualifications for the job of class president. We will make up for this in a later issue.
Following the class meeting we adjourned to Christ Church for the service in memory of the lengthening list of classmates who can no longer be with us. It was a beautiful, if sad occasion, and again we are indebted to Pudge Neidlinger for expressing so well the thoughts and memories we all have.
Our Early 45th Reunion ended on a happy note with another fine cocktail hour and luncheon in Thayer Hall. And now - hopefully with a few informal reunions in between — we have the 50th to look forward to!
The 1930 cup for most men back for reunion is presented to Ken Murray '27 (I)reunion chairman, by Dave Orr '57, Assistant Secretary of the College.
CLASS SECRETARY
