1936

Perhaps as a climactic coincidence to this last column in my career as class secretary it is fitting that I have received a card from a classmate from the other side of the world - Greetings from Peking-the People's Republic of China. There is a picture of the Seventeen-Arch Bridge at the Summer Palace on one side and a message from Dick and Dorothy Allen of Montpelier, Vt., on the other. They were visiting China with the Vermont Academy of Arts and Sciences. They don't mention any other Dartmouths being along. I recall the Aliens spent a month in Japan in 1973. Hope they come to Reunion, as an account of this latest trip would be interesting.

Retirement news continues to come in and I'm sure I haven't heard it all by any means. I understand Dr. Chuck Lehman and Betty are close to that retirement in Quechee that he mentioned in his letter of last year, and HarryCoronis retires on August 1 of this year. We also have lost two more classmates with the death of Tauno Frigard on April 6, and Richard Harris on April 14. More information will be found elsewhere in this or subsequent issues of the Magazine. Our sympathy goes to the families of these men.

I just returned from Hanover and class officers meetings as well as meetings of our own executive committee, reunion committee, and reunion giving committee. Many of you will be contacted as a result of the meetings of the latter two groups and by the time you read this the results of their efforts should be pretty apparent. The meetings that the College held for class officers were routine except that members of the Trustees were present at each meeting to try to explain and discuss the recent announcements relative to the makeup of future classes as relates to the ratio of males and females. Obviously there was as big a flap about this as there was when the decision was made to go coed. For those particularly interested, watch for meetings to be held with Alumni groups in various parts of the country by members of the Trustees to explain, discuss, and listen to opinions. The other item of note was Paul Guibord's election as president of the Class Bequest Chairmans Association for the next year. Congratulations to Paul!

Our treasurer reported that we had on hand as of April 30 approximately $13,500 and have made advances (which will be repaid), to the Reunion Committee and as deposits for the fall gathering at Sunapee to hold some rooms. We have also contributed to the Memorial book program for eight men. We also had 341 members paying dues compared to 334 last year. It is possible this might change since our year ends June 30. There were 17 men at the executive committee meeting and 32 men and wives at the dinner afterwards. Sorry more of you weren't there. It looks as though we'll set two records in June - one for attendance at a 40th Reunion which means surpassing 1935's last year's performance and the second should be in the amount collected for a 40th Reunion Class. We expect to accomplish both with your help

As your secretary for the past five years and an assistant class agent I have become interested in the seemingly illogical attitude that exists among our members toward the College and the Class. I certainly don't expect everyone to be as interested as some, and yet I can't understand the other extreme where a man has spent as many as four years of his life which have presumably had a great effect on his subsequent years and still be "not interested." We have two who graduated Cum Laude who are so listed. Similarly I can't understand some attitudes toward financial contributions to the College. I knew we all have family and other organizations to support, but it seems to me that an organization that has contributed so much to each of our lives also deserves our consideration. What started me on this was looking at the Commencement program for June 15, 1936. There were 72 men who received Degrees with Distinction. Of these nine are deceased, two are not interested, 24 have given to the Alumni Fund to date, and 37 have not. I know some of them will give but not many. My other favorite gripe involves those who give $l0 to $25, such as doctors or lawyers and I have to pay that much for one office visit!

I've said my piece and hope I haven't offended but perhaps made some of you think. Hope to see you at Reunion in June. I've enjoyed the contacts this job has brought and wish the best to my successor, whoever he may be. Class get-togethers are; Reunion, Spirit of 36/40, June 14-17 Hanover; Lobster in Maine, August 7; Dartmouth-Harvard, Indian Cave Lodge, Sunapee, October 15-16 and executive committee meeting.

Regards to all and thanks to those who helped!

Secretary, 174 Turtleback Road New Canaan, Conn. 06840

Class Agent, 10 Stonybrook Road Nashua, N.H. 03060