N. A. Rockefeller

I recall Nelson as one of the first to climb into the trucks for White River to help dig the people out of the mud piled up by a disastrous flood in the fall of 1927. He was one of a small group of us who as freshmen went out, to conduct "Sunday School" on Friday afternoons in the rural schools in the hills around Hanover. On one occasion, I felt he overdid his independence a nd anti-establishment stance. Students were urged to tone up college cultural events by coming to the concert series in what in those days we called "tuxedos." Most of us middle-class students did as we were requested and showed up in black tie. But not Nelson. I remember him appearing in the usual dirty corduroys.

Nelson was, as I recall, elected by our class as the one most likely to succeed in life. He had quite a start over most of us - not just in family and finances, but in brains, health, industriousness, and the many other qualities I have spoken of. But he could have flubbed it, even with all the advantages he had. Instead, he has more than lived up to our expectations.

FRANCIS H. HORN '30

WHEN I came to Dartmouth in the fall of 1928 as an instructor in art history, the Department of Art was housed in an ancient and battered structure, Culver Hall. To my happy surprise, the art activities in this old building were not in the slightest degree decrepit or anemic. Added to the good instruction of a dedicated faculty and to the stimulus of visiting artists was the enthusiastic interest and support of a student organization called "The Arts." This group joined with the art faculty in sponsoring lectures and promoting exhibitions, and I soon learned that one of the most active students in the group was a junior, N. A. Rockefeller of New York.

In the spring of 1929, Nelson was elected president of "The Arts," and in June President Hopkins chose him as one of the first Senior Fellows, which meant that he would have the opportunity to pursue his own educational program at Dartmouth free from the routine of courses and examinations. He decided to devote the entire year to the study of art.

Professor Artemas Packard was chairman of the Art Department, and under his leadership the art faculty aided and encouraged Nelson in his exploration of the sources and frontiers of art. We had Nelson read extensively in the fundamental histories and traditions of architecture, painting and sculpture, and we also opened up to him many of the mysteries of the avant garde. He was especially stimulated by Professor Packard's seminar on the "Meaning of Art."

In the new Carpenter Hall studios, Nelson joined extra-curricular classes in drawing, painting and sculpture, and had instruction from such visiting artists as Thomas Benton, Carlos Sanchez, Charles Woodbury and Mahonri Young.

As President of "The Arts," Nelson gave that organization tremendous leadership and made it a major factor in campus life. I recall the memorable visits to Dartmouth of Thornton Wilder, Lewis Mumford, Vachel Lindsay, Carl Sandberg, Sinclair Lewis and Edna St. Vincent Millay, all sponsored by "The Arts" during Nelson's term as president.

Most important of all, I remember Nelson as a fine person, a happy young man you enjoyed having in your house for dinner with other students.

CHURCHILL P. LATHROP

Francis Horn, also a Senior Fellow, hasbeen involved in higher education - asteacher, author, dean, and university president - since graduation.

Strictly speaking an emeritus Professor ofArt, Churchill Lathrop came out of retirement last year to serve as Director of theHopkins Center Galleries.