1950
There was snow on campus in mid-April. By early May when the class officers convened, only vestiges remained in isolated corners hidden from the warming sun. The roof drift north of the gym was nearly gone. But down Tuck mall on the curve before the river the temperature still dips perceptibly, cooled by the layers of snow protected by the towering pines. That spot was one of my favorites.
The weekend was the usual delightful interlude crammed full with activity. On Friday morning we attended classes, astronomy and advanced psychology, for a change of pace. That afternoon students gave their view of the Dartmouth plan and year-round operations (YRO). Their comments were generally favorable, spiced with a mixture of the myriad issues aired in the Daily D. Then President Kemeny presented a synopsis of his five-year report with appropriate commentary and humorous anecdotes. Incidentally, the report, which was featured in the April alum mag, is worth your reading for an insight into the problems facing the College and its triumphs. After dinner we were treated to a potpourri of music and drama selections from major events at the Hop during the year, concluding with a medley of songs by the Aires and Distractions.
Business meetings started early Saturday morning and continued until noon. Lunch was light in anticipation of a hectic round of tennis. Joe Medlicott sat on the sidelines while SandyMcCulloch, Vally and Nev Chamberlain, and I contested a series of points. A beautiful spring sky enhanced the afternoon. It ended too soon with an evening cocktail party followed by a double bill at the Hop: Aeschylus's Agamemnon and O'Neill's Homecoming. Unfortunately, the performance was the poorest I have ever seen in Hanover. The weekend was capped by a restful Sunday with my daughter before the homeward trek.
The weekend afforded Nev Chamberlain a chance to complete plans for our 25th. Now we need no longer anticipate his achievement; only memories remain. Vignettes of these memories will appear in future columns. For the moment it suffices to thank Nev and his committee for their hours of work in planning and directing a reunion in Hanover with a true "Touch of Class."
This month Mister (Fred) Rogers completes his eighth season creating and hosting his gentle neighborhood series for children on public TV. During that time he has Produced 455 programs, which have become his legacy to each new generation of children. Fred is president of Family Communications, Inc., which will offer his library of programs continuously to the member stations of the Public Broadcasting Service. A television producer for 20 years, Fred was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1962 with a special charge to work with families through the mass media. Understandably, he deplores violent means to catch the attention of youngsters. Fred is a teacher, but ". . . teaching numbers and letters is one thing. What is ultimately important is the way we put those numbers and letters together in our lives." He is a talented producer, a gentle TV star; but most of all Fred is a warm, responsive man who conveys his insights to his fellow man.
Tidbits here and there: Bill Balderston is both chairman and president of Lincoln First Bank-Central, NA, in Syracuse. Bill's only other comment is that his job and its product - money - are both "great." The first prize at the art show for the foreign friends of Acapulco in Mexico in 1974 went to Frank Moulton. The Gamlen Chemical Co. of San Francisco appointed Larry Batty manager of central development. Bill Ziegler was recently elected a director and the treasurer of the Rotary Club of Cleveland. DonHall announced a plan in KC to spread ownership of the family-controlled Hallmark Cards among its 10,000 employees. The recently-elected president of Middle States Tennis Assoc. (MSTA, now without an "L" for Lawn) is Jim Melville.
A last few tidbits: Ron Bohle has moved to Knoxville to join the Kirkpatrick Supply Corp. as purchasing agent. Chuck McCaleb edits the monthly research reports of UCal's Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. Joy and Chuck compile railroad histories in their spare time and hope soon to begin publishing them. John Weber is in the tent and backpack business with Anchor Industries in Evansville, Ind. Woody Smith and Bill Dann spent the winter watching their sons on the Park School hockey team in Buffalo.
The final countdown for this year is the Alumni Fund and 1950's reunion-year gift. Although the Class has already attained its goal, every gift remains important in contributing to the current well being and future strength of the college.
It was tragic to read the report of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Key officials at one in every ten colleges say that their financially pinched institutions probably will undergo radical change, merge, or close by 1980. If accurate, these predictions will affect 250 campuses throughout the country and, ultimately, a number of children who are now in the sixth grade.
In the face of these statistics Dartmouth remains strong, although, as President Kemeny indicated in his report, balancing the budget has become a difficult task in simultaneously manipulating priorities. One of Dartmouth's strengths is her alumni and their unique fund that contributes 7.6 percent of the current expense budget. We were all nurtured by that strength. We are all now needed to continue forging chat strength. So please be sure your gift is counted, and let it reflect your aspirations for the continued strength of the College.
My five-year report is simple. Gleaning the news was difficult, but all that was gleaned was reported. Some of you appeared often; others, seldom; too many, never. Seeing all of you is virtually impossible, but in the next five years let me hear from you often so that all your friends can follow your wanderings and your achievements.
Summer is upon us. The brook runs quietly and the trout hide in docile pools. Deer stare boldly from the underbrush close to the mountain trail. Wild flowers abound in the North Country. Enjoy your vacation.
Secretary 510 Hillcrest Rd. Ridgewood, N.J. 07450
Head Agent, Bedford Advisors 230 Park Ave. New York, N.Y. 10017
