1922's 50th

Twenty-Two, the last of Dartmouth's small classes, enjoyed a superb Fiftieth Reunion. The major ingredients were the sheer joy of being together again in our beloved Hanover, a sad nostalgia for classmates who could not be with us, and a splendid display of devotion to Dartmouth. The joyfulness came from the attendance of 194 members .. of the '22 clan. The majority, of course, were classmates accompanied by their wives and equally welcomed were the wives of departed classmates and some young members of the class family. They came from far and wide: California, Texas, Arkansas, Florida, the Virgin Islands, Mexico, Canada, and many places in between. A few back to Hanover for the first time since student days added to the delight of all.

In fact, the 107 classmates there made it the second largest Fiftieth Reunion in the history of the College. Sixty percent of our living graduates were present. For that attendance '22 won the Class of 1894 Cup. Admittedly, in this honor '22 is tied with our dearest enemies, the Class of 1921, who won with precisely the same percentage at their Fiftieth Reunion last year. But even though a tie in any contest is never completely satisfactory—like kissing your sister, as current Dartmouth athletes sayit can still boost the esprit de corps of boys in the Fifty-Year Class. Furthermore, our total attendance of 194 was the largest among the reuning classes and thereby '22 likewise won the Class of 1930 Cup.

The greatest joy, however, came from that incomparable pleasure available only at a Dartmouth class reunion—and '22 claims especially at the Fiftieth. The unbeatable combination of the right people in the right place at the right time does not happen every day, but '22 had it in Hanover on June 9, 10, 11. Fifty-year classmates started out from Hanover and have lived through every twister fate could throw at them, and here they were, lifelong friends .together again. We were simply delighted to be back where we started from, to exchange views on every subject under the sun, to laugh at our idiosyncrasies as '22 always has laughed, and to sing again—in quantity if not in quality—be-cause '22 is, and always was, a singing clan.

Only the absence of 209 departed classmates—from a total class enrollment of 485—grieved the Reunion. "The still North remembers them" and so did all at the Memorial Service in Rollins Chapel. Our classmate Rev. Richard F. Beyer had consented months ago to conduct this service for us, but, most unfortunately, he was hospitalized shortly before Reunion. The Class is sincerely grateful to Msgr. William L. Nolan, Catholic Student Chaplain at Dartmouth, who on very short notice followed the program arranged by Rev. Beyer and conducted an impressive service for us. And to Dick Beyer, best wishes from all classmates for rapid and complete convalescence.

The Class likewise regretfully missed those classmates who were unable to come back to Hanover due to illness of their own or of their family. We hope they are now all well and sound.

Twenty-Two's realistic loyalty to Dartmouth attained its zenith at Saturday's luncheon. Near the end of Jack Dodd's Address for the Fifty-Year Class at this General Alumni Association Meeting, Jack turned to President John Kemeny '22 ad and said, "You may have learned by now that 1922 has already pledged $85,000 to the 1972 Alumni Fund which is in the order of three times its highest contribution to the fund heretofore and we have till June 30 to improve this figure." And '22 thereby won distinction of having made the largest donation of any Fifty-Year Class to Dartmouth.

This outstanding achievement results from deep devotion to Dartmouth through the participation—and some of it most generously—by 88 percent (to date) of the Class. It also reflects the many years of dedicated work for Dartmouth by CarterHoyt, the splendid zeal of Spenny Smith, and the appreciated assistance of many other classmates.

The General Alumni Association Meeting also gave further distinction to '22 when Carroll Dwight received the well-merited Alumni Award. The accompanying citation will appear elsewhere in these pages. And Jack Dodd's talk which will also appear herein should be required reading through-out the Dartmouth fellowship.

Twenty-Two naturally enjoyed all the other features customary at a Dartmouth reunion. On Friday the warm greetings upon arrival, the before dinner cocktails in the class tent, the delectable dinner in Thayer, the gracious reception by John and Jean Kemeny in their garden, and the sociability and singing in the tent. Saturday's chill was offset by the congeniality at breakfast, the impressive memorial service, the class picture in front of Webster Hall, the class meeting (more about this later) in Silsby, followed by our movies (more, much more on these later), and the luncheon in Alumni Hall. That afternoon several took the Dartmouth-Hanover Bus Tour which included stops at The Kiewit ('22) Computation Center and the Medical School.

Saturday evening began with cocktails followed by the Class Dinner in Alumni Hall. Bill Bullen conducted the after-dinner program most deftly in his usual informative and relaxed manner. Besides his highlights on our undergraduate days, his remarks on '22's loyalty to the College, and his amusing anecdotes, Bill took genuine pleasure in presenting plaques to classmates who have never missed a year in contributing to the Alumni Fund. Some, not only had that distinction but also never missed a year on class dues. The dinner was a fun affair throughout.

After dinner many attended the Glee Club Concert and, believe it or not, after that there was more singing in the tent—songs from World War I exclusively.

Bright Sunday morning found us all at Commencement where 767 seniors received their degrees. We earnestly hope Alma Mater will always mean as much to them as she does to us. The '22 marshall who led us in was Prof. Jere R. Daniell II, son of our Warren and Mary. Commencement is generally impressive, but if you wonder if anything of 50 years ago still remains relevant, please read the Valedictory Address in this issue. You won't see it anywhere else because it's too good, hopeful, and optimistic to receive general media attention.

Our final event was the class luncheon after Commencement at the Outing Club House on picturesque Occom Pond. Come back again, won't you?

Reunion Chairman Ike Miller deserves thanks from the Class for the competence and endless days he spent in making our Golden Reunion so completely successful. Thanks are also due to Dave Orr and other College people who assisted the Class so much.

Well, that's the way it was at '22's Fiftieth. May every Dartmouth class in the years ahead enjoy its Fiftieth as much as we did ours.

Webster's steps wouldn't hold the 194 at 1922's 50th. The 60% of living graduates back won them the 1894 Cup.

CLASS SECRETARY