Thayer School

Dr. Jack Hanley CE'48 has left teaching at the University of Minnesota for consulting work with Clark Engineering Co. of Minneapolis. His son, John D'71, is a candidate for Thayer's M.S. degree.

Prof. Henry W. Parker CE'47 of Stanford University is a co-author of the book "Methods Improvement for Construction Managers." It deals with the most modern management techniques and operating procedures and was designed to be a useful guide for students as well as practitioners. Some of the subjects covered are: (1) evaluation of management's effectiveness, (2) techniques for methods improvements, (3) human factors in work improvement, (4) safety and environmental health in construction, and (5) mathematical models for methods improvements.

Larry Schwartz EE'59 heads an alumni group in New York City handling job placement for Dartmouth graduates.

Jim Paull BE'68 has finished a three-year stint in the Navy aS a gunnery officer and is considering going back to graduate school for bio-medical engineering training.

Hiram J. McLellan CE'17: "I can't say that I have engaged in any unique engineering jobs, but I have had a career which is somewhat unique for a man with a CE degree. Upon graduating from Thayer School, I worked for the Turner Construction, Co. for a short time before enlisting in the Army Air Force. In 1919 I left the army and obtained a job in the engineering department of Humble Oil & Refining Co. It was a young company then, with headquarters in Houston, Texas. After a few months I transferred to the geological department. I knew practically nothing about petroleum geology, but aided by my engineering training and an understanding chief geologist, Wallace E. Pratt, I was able to acquire a competence in this field.

"I was Division Geologist for East Texas during the boom years from 1927 to 1941, and held a similar position for Humble in the Texas Gulf Coast region from 1941 until I retired in 1955. During my career I was closely associated with the discovery and development of some of the state's largest oil fields. I have always been thankful for the broad engineering training which I had under Bobby Fletcher (1871-1918) and his staff, and I am pleased that Thayer School is continuing to follow his policies."

Dr. Robert E. Gosselin of the Medical School is hoping to interest one of our engineering students to work with him on a mathematical model of the reaction of biological tissues to certain chemicals. Professor Gosselin's field is poisons and their antidotes.

Al Melcher CE'54 is the Director of Field Services of the Rocky Mountain Center on Environment with headquarters in Denver. It is an organization which addresses itself to such major issues as urban form and the environment. Some of the studies they have made are: (1) Interstate 70 and the Glenwood Canyon Region: Choices for posterity, (2) Program and Plan for the Southwest Energy Study, and (3) The Western U. S. Water Plan.

Chris Hu BE'70: "I started work for the Esso Research and Engineering Co. I was lucky enough to get an assignment in their Environmental Control Section. After ten weeks I received a six-months assignment with Humble Oil's Baton Rouge refinery. I worked on several pollution control projects, but I became more impressed than ever with the legal complications of pollution control. For this reason I left my job (September 1971) to go to Columbia Law School. The classes are very large, 120+, and it's very competitive. Thayer School was an infinitely more pleasant experience."

Charles P. Richardson CE'09: "During the latter part of 1945, following many years of discussion and political pressure, the sixteen railroads utilizing the three Chicago South Side passenger stations agreed with the City of Chicago to make a thorough study of the feasibility of moving all passenger and freight facilities farther south to allow for future expansion of the Loop Business District. An engineering committee, consisting of the chief engineers of the several railroads, and an executive committee of the presidents, was established with myself as chairman to establish feasible choices. Early in 1951 when the plan was estimated to cost around $200,000,000 the unfeasibiiity of such a project was settled once and for all and the studies discontinued . . .

"Congratulations to the College and the Overseers for the great progress in developing Thayer from a small school, with limited quarters, faculty, and equipment, to an institution which can amply supply all the needs of Modern Engineering."

Harry Gerber CE'44: "I am currently employed by the Rio Tinto Zinc Corp., London, and assigned to Hamersley Iron Pty. Limited as General Manager-Production. Hamersley Iron is a major iron ore producer; shipments this year will aggregate slightly in excess of 20 million tons. Approximately 2500 people are employed in our operations in Western Australia. All of the current production is mined from the Mt. Tom Price deposit (approximately 180 miles by company railway from our port in Dampier — Western Australia) by open pit methods.

"We are currently engaged in construction of new facilities at the Paraburdoo mine site, approximately 65 miles by rail south of Mt. Tom Price and at East Intercourse Island on the Indian Ocean, which will increase our annual production and shipping capacity to between 35 and 40 million tons of salable product. The expansion project entails a capital cost in excess of $300 million.

"Located on the Indian Ocean in a pleasant climate, we enjoy tennis and deep sea fishing, as well as occasional visits to other interesting areas in Australia.

"Before 1970 I was associated with the Marcona Corporation as Vice President-Production. Marcona's operations, being in Peru, Chile and India, afforded considerable opportunity for world travel combined with life in the San Francisco Bay area.

"My best wishes for your well-being. While I still break out in a cold sweat each time I remember your exams in Thermodynamics, I nevertheless remember you kindly."