1951

The center insert of last month's issue was devoted to a complete report of this year's Alumni Fund drive. An enormous amount of time and effort went into making the record total of four and a half million dollars possible. Over the years no one has worked harder for the Dartmouth Alumni Fund and our Class than our own Dick Dutton. Dick has been head agent for five years and has now folded his tent and headed for a well-deserved retirement. It seemed only fitting and proper that Dick have a forum for reviewing the results of the past five years and for handing out plaudets to those who worked with him. What follows is an open letter from Dick to the Class.

"The five years as head agent went by very quickly because I enjoyed the work and, more importantly, the close association with many members of the Class. The job afforded me an opportunity to keep in contact with old friends spread around the country and to rekindle other friendships.

In reviewing the record of the period I find some very interesting and rewarding statistics. We had 390 contributors to the Fund in my first year as head agent and closed out this year with 392. This means that we at least held our own during a period when overall fund participation was declining slightly. Another interesting fact is that during this period the class increased its gift every year and gave a grand total of $475,628. This includes the very handsome $258,000 gift to the College for our 25th reunion. CharlieBreed informs me, furthermore, that we set a record this year for the most gifts of $1,000 or more by a 25th reunion class - 69 classmates fell into this category. It should be noted that we would have set an all time record if we weren't competing against the Class of 1926's $600,000 plus gift (the highest total ever given by any class) which included 74 such gifts. One more statistic - we did set an all time record of gifts of $100 or more - 264 men.

At the risk of omitting somebody, I would particularly like to thank the following classmates for their help as agents and committeemen and for the advice and counselling they gave me. In no particular order - Ed Weisenfeld, Merle Thorpe, Charley Hood, Bob Hopkins, Dave Hilton, Bob Hackstaff, Pete Bogardus, Wes Nutten, Paul Orth, Russ Dilks, Steve Biddle, Carl Glassberg, Reed Badgley,. Pierce McKee, Ed Isbey, and Charlie Breed. These men gave freely of their time, energies and ability and without their help we never would have achieved the results I just reported.

Buck Scott has not picked a successor as yet but I know, whoever he is, he will enjoy the rewards of the job just as I have. I am certain that you will continue to aid and support him as you did me during my term of office."

Thank you, Dick, for this report and, more importantly, for the job done on behalf of the class. Your successor will find this a tough act to follow.

While the thanks of the Class are being handed out, I think an extra word is in order for a man who is all things to all of us - CharlieBreed. As our man in Hanover, Charlie helps us through the red tape of the College when we need help and advice in getting something done in an area other than his own. He opens his house to members of the Class on football weekends and his hospitality and good cheer are known to many of us. He keeps in touch with all elements of the Class and helps to smooth over the rough spots and hold us together. This year in particular Charlie went well above and beyond the call of duty to make certain our 25th year fund-drive was a success. Along with Dick he organized meetings and visited Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Boston - in addition to making a swing through the South and Southwest. Your efforts are appreciated and the Class is certainly fortunate to have you and Marilyn a part of it.

We just found out why Bob Hustek was not able to come to reunion. On June 29 he and Kathleen had a baby girl, Beth Ann. They also have a son James Joseph, 11 years old. Sorry we didn't get a chance to see you and congratulations. Too bad for the class Bob didn't live closer to Manchester, N.H. Obstetrician Steve Biddle offered to contribute all delivery fees for any '51er using his service during our reunion fund-drive.

A note from New York Life Insurance tells us that John Smith has relocated from the New York area to Columbus, Ohio. John has been promoted to regional vice president of New York Life Insurance Company's east central region headquartered in Columbus. He was formerly superintendent of agencies in the company's New York City home-office. John is a member of the National Association of Life Underwriters and the Chartered Life Under-writers.

And one final note. John Sargeant was married to Joanne Harrison on August 14 in La Canada, California.

So long for now.

Secretary, 2 Peter Cooper Road New York, N.Y. 10010

Treasurer, 19913 Shelburne Rd. Shaker Heights, Ohio 44118