1956

I President Line Spaulding is the author of thismonth's column. Ed.)

If there is anybody out there who isn't planning to attend our 20th Reunion, there's plenty of time left to join the crowd! Under Bob Dumont's tutelage you're guaranteed the reunion of your life at a cost that ain't cheap, for sure, but certainly can be afforded. Bob's target is a 20th Reunion record of some 200 alumni (plus children). With almost 150 signed up already he has a real shot at all records for both quality and quantity!

What's the general state of class affairs? You may well be in a better position to judge than I. From what I can see and hear, though, it seems to me that the Class has become more unified and finds activity in class and college affairs more rewarding than might have been the case a few years ago. The likes of Em Houck (head agent), Ted Bremble (newsletter editor), BillMiles (secretary), Bob Faulkner (treasurer), and Chuck Soule (foreign scholarship program) are backed up by literally hundreds of you who are active in one way or another and to whom the whole Class is indebted for helping to make life as a fading '56er extraordinarily worthwhile.

The next "administration" can't fail to be captained by someone far more adroit than I and with your backing there's no question that old '56 will achieve whatever goals it sets out for itself. You're good men, Charlies Brown!

They're still making them true green at Hanover, you'll be interested to know. Undergraduate enthusiasm for the College seems to me to be at least as high as it was when Doc Pollard had to scale our tests to a -5.

As for the latest issue on campus, the Trustees' decision to go to sex-blind admissions is generating plenty of comment, to say the least. Of course, even while this issue rages I could not stand not adding my two cents' worth in behalf of yet another cause, and therefore my letter to Bill Andres '29 which is printed below.

Dear Bill:

As the male-female rato subject is still under intense discussion the Trustees may not be inclined to wrestle with a shortcoming which a few of my classmates and I feel is of even greater long-range significance to the College.

I am referring, Bill, to the reticence of Dartmouth and other educational institutions to teach and espouse the free enterprise system as an integral part of their curricula.

This reluctance is no new phenomenon, of course, Graduates of the '50s were no more knowledgeable about the positive contributions of our competitive economic systems than are today's soon-to-be alumni.

During the first 200 years of Dartmouth's existence, we guardians of the American Way apparently allowed ourselves the luxury of assuming that such economic education did not belong in the academic sphere. After all, free enterprise's bounty was legion. The system required no upkeep (education). It sold itself! And well it should; look what it has done for Dartmouth!

Many of us are less optimistic about the ability of free enterprise to survive the future, however. Is it logical to expect this limitless money pump to produce forever if we fail to grease it?

The board of Trustees' recent affirmation that the "fundamental purpose of Dartmouth College is the education of men and women who have a high potential for making a significant positive impact on society" implies that Dartmouth's future demand for funds will be no less, and probably greater, than it has been in the past.

Bill, what will be sources of these funds? Government grants with strings attached, or private funds without? Which way would the students, faculty, administration, and Trustees rather have it?

If the College prefers continuation of the support which has brought her through 206 years to her present level of preeminence, I suggest the Trustees look seriously at the necessity for educating its undergraduates in the advantages of the free enterprise system.

Mark off your calendar now for Reunion June 18 through 20 and send in your reservation! See you in Hanover!

John Yardley, associate administrator forspace flight, NASA, awards Delta Sys-tems supervisor Skip Mackey '55 a medalfor exceptional service by his division.

Secretary, 112 Amber Valley Drive Orinda, Calif. 94563

Class Agent, 7913 Ridge Road, Indianapolis, Ind. 46240