1925's 50th

Overshadowed in achievement and significance only by the nation's Bicentennial, the 50th Reunion of the Class of 1925 entered the records of history on June 8 after three days and nights of happy activity, although the weather was slightly damp and chilly at times.

Lead by Chairman Charley Moore and his able and enthusiastic corps of helpers 142 members of the Class - 55% of the living graduates - returned to Hanover for the festivities. They brought with them wives, children, grandchildren and other friends which made the total attendance 320. Both these figures are records for the College for a 50th Reunion, the previous high having been 125 men and 240 total for 1923 two years ago. Of the 320, there were 112 wives and 18 widows of members of the Class.

And of real value to the College and a matter of particular pride to the Class, the amount raised for the Alumni Fund was a staggering $404,582. This is the largest gift made at any reunion or in any one year by any class, with the exception of this year's 25th Reunion class. George Zahm and Dutch Schroedel were co-chairmen of the 50th Anniversary Gift Committee, with Bob Borwell in charge of special gifts and Larry Leavitt in charge of gifts from widows.

This is 9.6% of the total 1975 Alumni Fund which reached $4,201,264 - 5% above its goal. It is 124% of our amended objective of $326,000 set at Reunion and 789% of our class total in the 1974 campaign.

We had 317 donors which meant a "participation" figure of 97% and compared with a record 58% for the Fund as a whole. Two hundred and fifty-eight class members gave $383,081, an average gift of $1,485.56, widows contributed $10,090, and others $11,411. All of these are 50th Reunion records. We almost doubled the previous record of $210,643 set by the Class of 1923 two years ago.

As a result of this 1975 achievement 1925 now leads all Dartmouth classes in total Alumni Fund giving since graduation with $1,565,019. And we stand in third place among all classes in total all purpose giving to the College with $5,500,000.

President Kemeny has recognized this with a letter to Chairman Moore which should make all of us proud and which reads as follows:

"Dear Charley:

If there was ever any doubt in anyone's mind that 1925 qualifies as a truly "Great Class" those doubts most certainly must be forever dispelled. Your magnificent achievement of $404,582 and a record participation of 97% not only helps the College mightily in this particular year, but in future years as well by setting a standard for 50th reunion classes.

I was delighted to be. able to share in your marvellously attended reunion, and only wish that the Hanover weather might have treated you a bit more kindly. At least Sunday morning's optimism was rewarded.

"Please accept for yourself and relay to your 1925 fellowship my heartfelt thanks on behalf of Dartmouth for all you have done this year, and over the years, for our college.

Sincerely, John"

Headquarters for the Reunion were in Massachusetts Hall with Hitchcock and Gile also assigned for our use. Breakfasts each morning were in Thayer Hall. "Costumes" consisted of six inch diameter signs to be hung around the neck and identifying the wearer by name (in large letters) as a participant in '25's 50th. Attractive commemorative tile plaques, appropriately decorated beer steins for the men, and white straw bags with Dartmouth green ribbons for the ladies completed the reunion outfits.

The first official gatherings were Friday night and the cocktail party before dinner was moved indoors to College Hall. Both this party and the dinner in Thayer packed the respective facilities to capacity with all 320 reuners plus a few guests present at both affairs. The post-dinner reception by President Kemeny and his wife also had to be indoors at the Top of the Hop on account of the weather but this did not dampen the spirits of those taking part.

The class meeting was held in Silsby Hall at 9 a.m. Saturday and the auditorium was so full that the secretary never did get a complete count. The first order of business was the showing of movies with selections covering almost all June reunions from the 5th to the 45th. Following the report of the nominating committee the Class voted to elect the members of the executive committee for the next five years and to designate as officers for that period Bill Jenkins, President; Pete Haffenreffer, vice president; Mott Garlock, treasurer, and Doug Archibald, secretary.

The Class Memorial service in Rollins Chapel followed the meeting in Silsby. Monsignor William Nolan, Chaplain of Aquinas House at Dartmouth, conducted the service and the organist was Mrs. Andrew W. Edson, widow of Andy. Her solo of Dartmouth Undying, the singing of Men of Dartmouth by the congregation, and prayers and scripture readings revered the memory of the 234 classmates who are no longer with us.

Next was the class picture on the steps of Webster Hall (a really mammoth undertaking) and the Alumni Luncheon given by the College in Alumni Hall of Hopkins Center. Immediately after the luncheon the annual meeting of the General Association of Alumni convened in Spaulding Auditorium to hear a fine 50-year address excellently prepared and delivered by Ford Whelden and to listen to the always interesting remarks of President Kemeny.

The class dinner in Alumni Hall Saturday night was preceded by a cocktail gathering at the Top of the Hop. The dinner itself was enhanced by the candlelight and wine that accompanied the excellent food, and of course the fact of being together on a really memorable occasion made it an evening to be cherished by all of us. Chairman Charley gave us a brief message after dinner and presented bronze Indian statues to various classmates who had performed some special service and 1925 Golden Feathers to some of the "squaws" who had contributed special efforts. Then on behalf of the executive committee and all of the Class Larry Leavitt presented Charley with a special Golden Feather tie clasp as a small token of our admiration and gratitude for the imaginative and energetic leadership he has given us.

Before the Commencement exercises Sunday morning the Class marched in the procession to an assigned block of seats in the Baker Quadrangle. The conferring of bachelors', masters' and doctors' degrees was followed by the presentation of seven honorary degrees including that of Doctor of Laws to our own LloydBrace, now retired from a distinguished banking career as well as from long service to the College on the Board of Trustees.

Our final gathering before departure for home was the "Get-Away" luncheon, held in Thayer Hall instead of the D.O.C. House on Occom Pond. The sun was out but the northwest breeze was chilly. Nobody really suffered from the low temperature, though, as hearts were warm with the satisfactions and pleasures of three fine days of renewed companionship and the bond of mutual interest in the welfare and progress of Dartmouth.

There were three exhibits held in conjunction with Commencement and reunions which were of particular interest to 1925.

On Saturday moring there was a special viewing for class members of the new Jones Microtext Center in Room 5 of the library. This is a memorial to Berkeley Fairfax Jones, known to us as "Buck". His widow Carolyn was present and joined us in reunion activities.

In Faculty Lounge in Hopkins Center a special area was set aside for an exhibit of books authored by members of the Class. The list is too long to give here but the evidence of accomplishment in literary, scientific, and business writing is impressive.

There were performances in the evenings by the Glee Club and The Players for all the reunion classes, and bus tours of the Dartmouth- Hanover area for those returning after many years which have brought so many new facilities to the campus and the town.

Participants in 1920's 55th Reunion gather on the steps of Webster Hall.

CLASS SECRETARY