Council Honors Two Alumni
THE Dartmouth Alumni Council bestowed its highest honor, the Dartmouth Alumni Award, on two graduates of the College during the Commencement and Reunion period in Hanover. The first went to Max A. Norton '19, Associate Treasurer of the College Emeritus, at the Bicentennial Convocation Luncheon on June 14. The other was conferred on John K. Benson '31, of Boston, at the dinner meeting of the Alumni Council on June 18.
Both awards were made by Howland H. Sargeant '32, president of the Council. He presented small copies of the silver Wentworth Bowl and read the following citations:
MAX ALONZO NORTON '19
A venerable and eminent community statesman with over fifty years of distinguished service to Dartmouth, Hanover and grateful people of the Upper Connecticut Valley - yours has been a long and fruitful career.
You began to serve the College while an undergraduate when you raked and rolled your way to manager of varsity track and cross country and student membership on the Athletic Council. You were elected to Green Key, Palaeopitus and Sphinx, and upon graduation you became secretary then treasurer of your class. In 1920 you began 42 years of invaluable service to the College as graduate manager of athletics, bursar and associate treasurer. Your early activity in the administration of bequests, trusts and life income agreements laid a solid foundation for the orderly development of this essential source of endowment funds.
Known affectionately as the Busy Bursar, you proved the propriety of this sobriquet by being an alumni director, trustee or officer of the Athletic Council, Outing Club, Dartmouth Publications, Green Key, Handel Society, and the Eye Institute. As further evidence of your exhaustive engrossment in community affairs, you also were a member of the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital Corporation for 36 years, 16 as president and chairman concerned with the requirement for expanded facilities and services. Also, you served as director and officer of the Hanover Improvement Society and the Hanover Water Works, a Hanover Pre- cinct Commissioner, treasurer of the White Church, trustee of Holderness School, and a member of the military staff of the Governor of New Hampshire. In retirement you have been busy with trust and estate work, always sharing your sensitive concern and wisdom with people who need help.
Few can understand how you found time to develop the fuzzy tongue of a collector of little fragments of unclean paper with pretty pictures on one side, and, on the other, stale gum which had long lost its pristine flavor. All are glad you did, because that avocation and perhaps the propitious propinquity of a philatelically predisposed professor of psychology preserved you for a long life of unselfish service for others who were singularly fortunate that their lives were touched by yours.
For this devotion to Dartmouth and the community, and with abiding appreciation of your achievements, we give you the Dartmouth Alumni Award.
JOHN KINGSLEY BENSON '31
For a great many years people around the world have associated Dartmouth and the Shawmut National with the Indian traditions so prominent in their backgrounds. Two centuries ago the College Charter was granted for the purpose of educating Indian youths and others. Some years later the Bank was established and subsequently adopted the internationally known head of the Sachem of the Shawmuts as its historically significant symbol of strength. These two institutions have grown together. The College is proud of this association and of the numbers of Dartmouth men who through the years have filled positions of prominence in the Bank.
We are particularly honored to recognize one of this company who became associated with the Bank only a few days after being graduated from Tuck School. Jack, with a coveted gold key and perseverance to match, you began your banking career at the bottom of the organization and advanced by giant strides through all major areas of the profession until in 1967 you became President of the Shawmut Association which includes ten other banks. In 1968 you were elected Vice-Chairman of the Bank.
While going through the chairs at the Bank you also fulfilled more than your share of civic responsibilities and, in addition, you were a member of the executive committee of the Boston, Municipal Research Bureau, a savings bank trustee, a life insurance company director, and a YMCA trustee. Your distinguished association with your Class and the College has been in the important positions of Class Treasurer and Chairman, member of the Alumni Council and Board of Overseers of Tuck School, President of the Boston Alumni Association, an interviewer and member of the area Executive Committee of the Third Century Fund.
In lasting appreciation of these achievements and in grateful recognition of your continuing loyalty and wise counsel, we give you the Dartmouth Alumni Award.
Alumni Council president How land Sargeant '32 presents Dartmouth AlumniAwards to Max A. Norton '19 (top, r)and John K. Benson '31 (lower, l).
Alumni Council president How land Sargeant '32 presents Dartmouth AlumniAwards to Max A. Norton '19 (top, r)and John K. Benson '31 (lower, l).
