1939

We write this as we return from the class officer's meetings in Hanover. This gives us a chance to report that the campus looks as familiar as ever-really beautiful in the early May sun. That the lacrosse team is very competitive this year as we saw them destroy Holy Cross 17-3, is also a fact. Our heavyweight crew lost by a mere two feet to Boston University, but nosed out third place Rutgers in the Bill Cup feature on the Connecticut. Our President BertMacMannis and Sally were there. So too were Walt Darby our newsletter scribe, and of course Bob and Evie Kaiser. Treasurer Cornie Millerand Janet were with us through the meetings but departed as the socializing prevailed. Cornie had to scurry back to Essex, Conn, to get the Yacht Club commissioned for the year, as its venerable vice commodore.

The briefest of summaries of the two-day meetings would suggest that the "open admission" possibilities weigh heavily on everyone's mind. We heard what I felt personally were ambiguous and unconvincing statements of leaderships current position from President Kemeny and Chairman of the Board William Andres, but I speak solely of my own reactions and not that of the '39ers in attendance. The burden of their message however was that no returns are in, and the collective minds of the College are still open, which suggests that men of conviction have time to make their thoughts known.

In the meantime, your executive committee had convened in New York City on April 13 for the first of its two yearly gatherings. Messrs Bates, Boldt, Corner, Coulson, Darby, Howe,Jackson, Kaiser, MacMannis, Merriam,Tishman and Webster were in attendance. Your scribe opened the meeting whining about lack of news, while Darby balanced the scale by promising some up-coming fat issues of the newsletter. The treasurer's report showed a net balance of $30,284.82 residing in the treasury, much of it busy developing interest. Reunion Chairman Wells Bates is doing a bit of pre-organizing of committees and looks for volunteers.

Although George Hanna could not be in attendance, he is mindful that he heads a committee developing proposals for the form that our 40-year gift to the College will take, and was given some possible suggestions of various directions on which he might care to proceed. Bob Kaiser continues to report that our Class is on target with bequests. There are four trusts (one a new one) and three more in negotiation at the moment, four life income trusts, one matured bequest and, appropriately, 39 classmates who have indicated an interest or "hope" of establishing such an arrangement. Jim Corner reported (along with Bob Howe - Major Gifts Chairman) that we stand 10 per cent ahead of last year in our Alumni Fund effort. He looks to maintain the edge. And finally, O'Brien Boldt presented his ideas for an inexpensive 40-year soft-cover book, primarily featuring names, addresses, phone numbers, etc. but also including some feature material from class writers and/or historians. The committee liked his thoughts and he has gone to the drawing board to develop it further before a final commitment is made.

Incidentally, Jim Corner came up with some interesting summaries relative to class-giving. There are 80 men who have unflinchingly anted up to the College annually since graduation - all 36 years. And there are 54 men who have yet seen fit to contribute anything since stepping down from the Hanover plain.

Before we put this column to bed for the season (our next column will appear in October - hurrah for the hiatus!) we would be extremely remiss were we not to mention that Dave Lilly has been nominated by President Ford to join the Federal Reserve Board. We would hope by the time you read this he will have been confirmed. Our congratulations on a most prestigious step, to President Ford and to Dave of course.

And finally, if you can guess who those '39ers are, featured on the title page of the 20-yr. reunion calendar on page 34 of the April Mag., you'll win a bubblegum card of Linda Lovelace. See you next fall!

Secretary,777 West St. Pittsfield, Mass. 01201

Class Agent, Horseshoe Hill R.D. 2, Box 290 Hockessin, Del. 19707