1950

Spring again was reluctant. Memory recalls April's seductive in promise; never more. But May, except for one of our undergraduate years, was green. The swelling buds on the elms in front of Dartmouth row would finally burst forth in full head. And the grass under foot for afternoon intramural softball was lush and dry.

For the second straight year winter's grip prevailed. Less snow was evident on the north side of the gym. But a short side jaunt into Vermont revealed bountiful deposits, even in the early greening pastures. The trip to Hanover for the daylong symposium of education and class officers' weekend was slowed by driving rains. Only briefly on Saturday morning did a warming sun hint at the possibility of a new season. The Connecticut flowed at flood.

Encapsulating the symposium into a paragraph or two is difficult. The day was rewarding. President Kemeny launched proceedings at a special convocation with a provocative address on the "Future of Liberal Arts Education." His talk was based upon five positive and three negative premises (evidence of his training as a mathematician) that best formulated his concepts. The negative were most intriguing to me in expressing the possible bases for future policy decisions pertaining to the college. They were that a college: (1) cannot teach everything; (2) cannot teach everyone; and (3) cannot teach a student all he needs to know for the rest of his life. Think about them for a while. Succinctly, uniqueness precludes universality.

The afternoon offered a variety of concurrent discussions. Since grading, distributive requirements, and off-campus study are student-oriented issues, my choice of sessions for the afternoon was "The Development of Moral Values in Education." My reasons were personal. The chance to hear today's Dartmouth student's view of his campus and his world piqued my curiosity. Since the session was scheduled for the crow's nest in Bartlett, it would be small and an alumnus might be able to add his thoughts to the colloquium among students, faculty, and administration. And an old friend, Prof. Francis Gramlich, would be there.

The afternoon was fascinating. As the stimulation of old classes returned, the lure of alumni college became evident. My faith in today's generation of students, their outward manifestations not withstanding, was reaffirmed. To report the session is nigh impossible. Just consider: the crow's nest is a cozy seminar room for twelve. The session was moved when 175 students appeared. Their interest and concern was Dartmouth, her present and her future, and her relationship to the world, theirs and ours.

The weekend was crammed with events. Official meetings gave way to varsity baseball and tennis. Dartmouth swept all events. The swollen river precluded holding the Cochrane Cup Regatta. On Saturday evening the Dartmouth symphony combined with choruses and glee clubs from Smith, Harvard, and Dartmouth to produce a magnificent Verdi "Requiem" under the guidance of Mario di Bonaventura. Then there were the many moments with SandyMcCulloch, Joe Medlicott, Eric Miller, and Bob Kilmarx, discussing old times and current affairs. Best of all was the simple chance to visit Hanover, late spring or not.

A few words with Bob Kilmarx, our new trustee, indicated that my views about the Indian question may have been myopic. The image of the noble savage is enobling when viewed from an ivory tower. It is condescending from the vantage point of a reservation laced with illiteracy, disease, and poverty. The issues are still being sorted out, but one fact is clear: caricatures are out.

Mobil Oil reports that Eugene McCabe has been named retail manager in the marketing department of the North American division. For Gene this promotion is the latest in a progression that has continued since 1950, when he first joined Mobil (without an "e"). In this day of mobility; such stability is rare. His memberships in field and gun clubs indicate an interest in hunting. Gene and Alma live in Westport, Conn, with their two sons and two daughters.

The new president of TRIGOM, the Research Institute of the Gulf of Maine, demurs. Dave Fink penned a note that his activities had been exposed sufficiently. But the idea is superb. Formed by the major colleges in Maine, TRIGOM funds its marine research program and serves as an information center for marine scientists. One current project is a coastal science park in Cape Elizabeth to combine research and development, a teaching museum, and recreational space. R and D tenants are welcome. Besides enjoying lobsters with Barbara, Dave now works to preserve them. Perchance to increase them!

Jim Myers, the hotel man, has been elected president and a director of Flagler System, Inc. of Palm Beach, Fla. Flagler's resort holdings include the Breakers in Palm Beach and Flagler Inn on Paradise Island, the Bahamas. Jim and Katharine have four sons (Jim Jr. is in the Class of '74), and live in Palm Beach at 216 Via Marila. Jim's former position with the corporation was executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Continental Can reorganized, squeezed through the recession, and cut costs, but John Greeley survived. Now he is regional sales manager of the metals division with headquarters in Towson, Md., instead of New York. Commuting is out, and more time is free for golf and boating, a natural with Chesapeake Bay only a few miles away. Jack also reports that son John traveled around the world twice as part of his college work, a new twist to off-campus study.

Tidbits here and there: Clift Whiteman, senior vice president of Investors Diversified Services in Minneapolis, was featured in an internal publication as the first IDS employee to take advantage of its new matching gifts program to support higher education. Dartmouth received the benefits. Look into your company's matching gift program. Dick Ledyard spends his working day in Newark for Graybar Electric, but his avocation is the volunteer ambulance and rescue squads serving Mountainside Hospital in Montclair. Dick was recently elected chairman of the captain's council. The New York kick-off meeting for this year's Alumni Fund included ElliottLoeb, Paul Canada, and Dick Echikson among the audience listening to President Kemeny. Dick later reported seeing FrankGilroy (distinguished but almost unrecognizable behind his beard) and Whit Williams while in Hanover to attend the Horizons program.

Jim Harms, continuing his shuttlecock progress from coast to coast, has returned to New Jersey from San Francisco. The suspense list, a long wait until the October issue, includes Tom Tomasi, Dick McSorley, and Andy McClary. As new senior vice president Jim Melville has moved a notch higher in MSLTA affairs. For the uninitiated, the affairs are lawn tennis. Mass Mutual Life has promoted Charlie Wilkinson to associate underwriting secretary. Kenton Mail Order has appointed Mai Decker vice president and advertising director. John Tull was elected president of Mercantile National, Chicago. Also in the reputed windy city Jay Buck has been named senior vice president at Northern Trust. For details add the last three to the suspense list. And a few excerpts are due from four weeks in the life of TomO'Connell in New York, Spain and Maine.

Recognition is difficult to achieve in a faculty of 1300, but Joe Medlicott was recognized by the UConn Alumni Association. He received one of their four awards for faculty excellence. Cited as an "outstanding teacher" Joe was rated by both graduate and undergraduate students as one of the most effective teachers on campus. An innovator, Joe was the first professor at the university to offer a course in black literature.

June is ebbing faster than you think. You can save Bob Kilmarx and your local class agent a few gray hairs by sending in your gift before the deadline—the end of the month. And consider: whatever your level of giving, have you plateaued? Each year our class goal is set higher. Achieving that goal requires annual giving and nominal annual increases from everyone. Success as a class depends upon all of us.

Princeton plays in Hanover in October. Plan to be there. 1950 holds a mini-reunion at the Ledyard Canoe Club with tailgate lunches before the game. The Woodstock Inn will be the rendezvous on Friday and Saturday evenings. Send for reservations early. We will be looking for you.

Summer beckons. The lawn needs care, but the courts are more appealing. Or the links. Or a lazy cool brook in the mountains. Enjoy yourself.

Secretary, 510 Hillcrest Rd. Ridgewood, N. J. 07450

Class Agent, Industrial National Bank 111 Westminster St., Providence, R. I. 02903