1954
A few years ago I made a suggestion at one of the exec committee meetings that this column might be more interesting if a few times a year a regional "volunteer" would take charge of these lines to report firsthand on the classmates in his particular area. This would serve not only to bring a greater sense of participation into the monthly report, but it would also make the column more enjoyable than it presently is. While the idea is by no means dead in my mind, I can't say that I've been flooded with volunteer editors. So ... I'm throwing the question open to the floor and would appreciate your thoughts and comments as to whether the plan seems a good one, and whether there are any people willing to step forth to share the writing burdens on a limited basis. Please let me hear from you on this, as I think there is much to be gained by an approach that would make this column a lot more vital.
From Barrington, R.I., and the pen of Lois Graboys, comes word that hubby George Graboys was recently elected executive vice president of Citizen's Trust Company after serving previously as v.p. in charge of commercial lending. While Rhode Island is a small state, CTC is a large banking institution with over 20 branches all over the state, and now George may well be thinking of expanding the boundaries beyond what they are presently.
Bill Donovan has been elected an assistant vice president of American Mutual Life Insurance Co., Wakefield, Mass. Currently director of group sales and association products, he joined American Mutual in October 1966 as Atlantic division group specialist in the Philadelphia office. He transferred to Boston in 1967 and became field sales manager two years later. He moved to the home office in 1970 and lists his home address as 20 Flint Circle, Amherst, Mass. 01810.
Out in Cleveland, Ohio Lucien H. Case has moved into a new job as vice president for Kent H. Lee, Inc. a marketing, advertising and public relations firm. Luke writes that the firm is based on an unorthodox principle in that each key management head has had a great deal of first hand managerial experience that they can now share wkh their clients in conjunction with the primary advertising-marketing-PR package. Sounds like a cross with management consultancy as well. Further, Luke tells of having thoroughly enjoyed the Alumni College last summer and recommends it to us all. He even takes his own advice (novel for a consultant) and is returning this summer for another session together with all the family.
Dick Baldwin, formerly secretary of the class of '42, was kind enough to send along a copy of the Newark Sunday Star Ledger dated Feb. 20, which carried a terrific article on Walter Clarkson. Walt is teaching both journalism and English at Westfield High where he himself was an undergraduate before coming to Dartmouth. He also is the track coach and adviser to the school newspaper and it seems that wherever Walt has turned his hand the results have been remarkable. His track team recently placed second in the North Jersey championships, and last fall won the state public school title. This winter they tied for the state relay championships and Walt keeps the team in shape during the cold months running on a wooden outdoor track that he and a group of students built themselves last summer. The school newspaper is a winner, too, having been named last year the number one paper in the state by the Scholastice Press Association. The paper was also picked as a pacemaker by the American Newspaper Publisher's Association with which it has maintained a high record of excellence for the past five years. While Walt gives the credit to his students he himself has contributed by winning two. advisers awards which have provided journalism materials to the school. And when he isn't doing those things he still competes as a runner himself having this past fall entered the cross country masters' championship for N. J., an AAU sponsored 6-mile event for men 35 years and older. Walt says he runs between 1,500 and 2,000 miles per year and continues to train with his team which he enjoys more than holding the stop watch. His overall credo, in his own words, "What really counts is the pursuit of excellence. It's thrilling and rewarding to see a kid pass his goals." I kind of think Westfield High is lucky to have Walt among their 130 faculty members, to say nothing of the 2,100 students. That's it for the nonce. But please let's have some response to the question raised in the first paragraph!
Secretary, 58 Birchwood Lane Hartsdale, N. Y. 10530
Class Agent, Reader's Digest Assoc., Inc. 200 Park Ave., New York, N. Y. 10017
