Thayer School's Centennial Convocation

"I have the honor to report that the Thayer School of Civil Engineering is fairly opened." (Letter from Prof. Robert Fletcher to General Sylvanus Thayer, September 20, 1871)

One hundred years after that occurrence, the opening of Thayer School's 101st year will be observed at the Convocation of Dartmouth's 203rd year and by a special Centennial Convocation continuing through the next two days.

The objective of the convocation is to stimulate a searching discussion of the future by engineers, scientists, social scientists, and humanists. From the points of view expressed by the participants, we hope to gain insights into the world's social, environmental, and technological needs to the next hundred years. We may then be able to identify future challenges and responsibilities facing engineering education to assist us at Dartmouth and Thayer School, as well as others, to design programs which can give our engineering graduates the highest potential for growth and service in their world.

The convocation events, including the names of the distinguished speakers who have accepted invitations to participate, are shown in the accompanying box. The emphasis is on breadth of view and public service, not only as engineers envision their role in the future but principally as others conceive that the obligations of the engineers to society will develop.

This approach to the planning of Thayer School's program is in accord with policies derived from the School's hundred-year heritage and restated in 1970-71, Dean Ragone's first year in office.

In the ceremonies marking the 100th anniversary of Thayer School, Dean Ragone will be joined by two former deans, William P. Kimball '2B and Myron Tribus, both of whom continue to serve the School.

All members of the Dartmouth family are invited to attend the opening convocation and the Friday morning and afternoon and Saturday morning sessions. Tickets may be purchased for the buffet luncheons and the Friday banquet.

Proceedings will be published containing all prepared speeches and oral discussions.