1918

To THE CLASS OF 1918,

Today there arrived in my mailbox a package which contained a copy of "The College on the Hill," inscribed to me as a graduation present from the Class of 1918. I opened the book, and graduate work flew out the window; the to me sultry climate of Virginia was replaced by the lung-filling bite of New Hampshire's winter air, and I was once again in Hanover, and my absence, short though it has been, suddenly seemed far, far too long.

So. now I write to thank you, the Class of 1918, for reminding me so well of the tight-knit Dartmouth family and of four wonderful years.

Charlottesville, Va.

DEAR MR. BARR:

My sincere thanks to the Class of 1918 for the pleasant surprise brought to my California door today from Hanover.

It doesn't take one long to begin missing Dartmouth after graduation, and "The College on the Hill" will, I'm sure, only serve to exaggerate the differences between our school and the megaversity I'm now enrolled in — The University of Southern California.

Again, thank you all very much for so thoughtful a gift.

Los Angeles, Calif.

DEAR MR. BOOTH,

Finding such a weighty and promising parcel upon my doorstep was a pleasant surprise, but surprise gave way to pleasure when I discovered within Ralph Nading Hill's estimable "The College on the Hill: a Dartmouth Chronicle." Then mingled with that pleasure was a heart-felt gratitude to the class that preceded my own by fifty years for its generosity and thoughtfulness. I can think of no more meaningful a graduation present.

This kind gift, it seems to me, is striking proof that in the Dartmouth fellowship there is no parting. Across the gaps of generations and anonymity stands this unique bridge of the Dartmouth Heritage inspiring such fellowship.

So I thank you, a representative of the Class of 1918, for this marvelous gift; as a remembrance of the College it will be a treasured memento, for I count it my very great fortune to be one of the men of Dartmouth.

Santa Barbara, Calif.

DEAR MR. BOOTH,

I would like to extend to your Class of 1918 my sincerest appreciation for your commencement gift, "The College on the Hill."

I hope that by the time my fiftieth reunion rolls around I will still retain the objectivity and open-mindedness displayed by your class in the wake of the most controversial commencement Dartmouth has yet known.

Again, thanks ever so much for your kindness.

Islington, Ontario

The letters above I found awaiting me on my recent return from California. Since each is addressed through me to all in 1918, I take this means of sharing them with the Class, convinced that all of you will share the pleasure I take both in what they say and in the way they say it. How the gift was made by 1918 to 1968 I will perhaps speak of in the future. That it was made must surely give satisfaction to all members of both classes.

Now for brief remarks about my visiting in California. In the San Francisco area my more than gracious hosts were Bob and Mildred Fish, through whom I enjoyed delightful contacts with Bill and Kitty Mudgett and with the Guy Wallicks, who should be better known to all '18ers. Though Guy never received a bachelor's degree from any institution, he did earn an MCS at Tuck School. Thereafter his allegiance and service to the College were outstanding. In 1957 and 1958 he was president of the Alumni Council, and wrote the comprehensive and brilliant CAR report to the Trustees which resulted in a number of structural and organizational changes in the way the College is governed. That same report won national acclaim when the American Alumni Council singled it out as the top contribution by any alumnus anywhere in 1959. In 1961 Dartmouth bestowed its Distinguished Alumni Award on Guy. A former vice-president of Pacific Telephone, Guy is practically indispensable in community affairs, now heading the committee in charge of celebrating Palo Alto's 75th anniversary. At our 40th reunion in '58 Guy was informally affiliated with 1918, but it's about time he was made an adopted or honorary member of our class.

While in California I had hoped to see of our class's youngest and most popular members, none other than Red Wilson and of course his wife Miriam. They were on their annual pilgrimage from Connecticut to visit a son near Los Angeles. Red retired from his top post in Union Securities some years ago as one of the more highly regarded figures on Wall Street. But the regard in which his classmates hold him is much higher than that

In February, we sadly report, two of our classmates died: Tom O'Connell on the 6th, and on the 13 th Phil Boynton. To the bereaved family of each goes the class's sympathy. Obituary notices will appear in the In Memoriam section of a later issue.

Secretary, Elm St., Norwich, Vt. 05055

Class Agent, Lower Troy Rd., Fitzwilliam, N. H. 03447