1926's 50th

Things as they are with the Red Sox, it is pleasing to report winning scores of 1926 in Hanover at the 50th Reunion: (1) 281 men, wives, widows, and guests in attendance; (2) 143 classmates returned, all-time record at a 50th reunion (53% of living graduates); (3) the largest class gift to Dartmouth in Alumni Fund history — $626,626.26 from 405 contributors, 86 per cent participation of living members.

Off to an early start, pre-reunion began Thursday with Russ and Betty Clark, reunion chairpersons, setting up shop at Middle Mass. Later Chuck Webster held a meeting of the memorial book committee to finalize plans for the dedication of the Memorial Room and formally to name Les Talbot as the new chairman to succeed him. In the evening the already sizeable advance guard met for "social hours" and for dinner on the Inn terrace.

Official 50th got under way Friday with all-day registration in front of the class tent, which Barbara Hayward and her committee had transformed into a '26 garden bower with evergreens and hanging flower baskets. Hanover committeeman Johnny Manser had "beer in the tent" to greet the thirsty as the day was hot and humid.

A "welcome to the 50th" cocktail party was held at Thayer Hall, and formal wear consisted of hand-wrought sterling silver 2D6 pendants for the girls and 19D26 ties for the men. A bevy of girl graduates of '76 pinned green-tinted carnations on '26 men as their thank-you for the rose and scroll given them when they entered Dartmouth as the first female freshmen — a class project dreamed up by Ed Emerson. Steve Mandel '78, grandson of our late Dick Mandel, was our official 1926 bartender at this and subsequent events. Dinner was delicious, informal and no speeches — all as advertised. The President's reception and the Glee Club concert were thoroughly enjoyed — many hearing for the first time sopranos and altos in a Dartmouth Glee Club. Later and until much later the '26 tent reverberated with talk of past, present, and future, and music with Don Steele (retired Nugget Theater pianist) at the keys and GobDesMarais as conductor.

Saturday morning was clear and cool, and action started with a bountiful breakfast at Thayer. The 1926 Memorial Service at Rollins Chapel was conducted by the Rev. Bruce A. Rodgers, associate chaplain of the College, giving pause for the 337 living members of the class to remember those 248 members who are now with us only in spirit. Through a regrettable error in checking the list, five names were missing in the memorial program: Edwin S. Brooks, June 17, 1925; Robert W. Emraes, December 23, 1926; Richard C. Maloney, November 14, 1975; Abner Oakes, October 9, 1933; Leslie Waggener, Jr., July 9, 1928. Apologies on behalf of the publishers are extended to families and friends of these classmates for this omission.

The Class gathered next in Baker Library to dedicate the 1926 Memorial Room, a beautiful paneled seminar and conference room. President Tubber Weymouth opened the meeting by citing retired faculty member Ray Nash, our first honorary curator of the Memorial Book Collection, who did so much for our project, and announcing his election as an honorary member of the Class. In memory of Dick Mandel, one of the originators of the program, a rare book was presented to the Library by out-going cochairman Howard Rice and was accepted for the Library by his grandson, Steve Mandel '78. Chuck Webster, retiring chairman of the committee, on behalf of the Class whose members' donations in addition to class dues over the years made possible the gift, presented the room to the College; it was accepted by College Librarian, Edward C. Lathem '51. A champagne celebration of the event was given by Lathem as "a small token of appreciation." During the weekend many visited the room; saw two class gifts of pictures — one a fine Paul Sample painting featuring Sid Hayward located in the Inn lounge named in his memory, and the other a portrait of Dick Eberhart which accompanies his gift of manuscripts to the Library; admired the exceptional minerals collection at the Fairchild Science Center given by HaroldTrefethen; and marveled at Murdough Center, the outstanding facility for which Tom andGrace Murdough were major donors.

In Alumni Hall 1926 enjoyed the alumni luncheon given by the Trustees of the College to the reunion classes, at which time CharlieBishop and Al Louer, our exceptional Alumni Fund leaders, gave President Kemeny a modest indication of the size of the 1926 gift. Immediately thereafter was the annual meeting of the Association of Alumni in Spaulding Auditorium, when Dick Eberhart read selections of his poetry to the delight of all and NateParker, who in 1926 was class marshall, Rhodes Scholar and captain of the national cham- pionship football team, gave an excellent 50Year Address. President Kemeny concluded the meeting with his usual very interesting remarks. 1926 then viewed the class undergraduate movies, some reunion shots, Charlie Starrett in a "Durango Kid" brief, and Bob May's Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer shown in a cartoon short. Bus tours of the College and "tenting" took care of the rest of the afternoon.

Cocktails at the Top of the Hop were followed by the class dinner in Alumni Hall. Time was taken to name officers for 1976-81: an executive committee of 11 men; TubberWeymouth, chairman; Don Norstrand, secretary; Jack Roberts, treasurer; Al Louer, class agent; Charlie Bishop, bequest chairman; Hub Harwood, newsletter editor. Two kudos: Francis and Cecilia Pan from Hong Kong traveled the furthest to reunion, making our three Californians look like local commuters; Larry Kennison won the identification contest by naming 138 out of a possible 158 classmates shown on Del Worthington's class song sheet which Ritchie Smith had reprinted for all members.

Sunday — Commencement Day — was beautiful, clear and cool. After breakfast at Thayer, classmates met at Webster Hall and marched in procession to seats on the Baker Library lawn for the exercises. 1926 was thrilled that Tom Murdough was awarded an honorary L.L.D. for his outstanding business accomplishments, for being a major benefactor of the College, for his generosity and service to his community, and for his work in behalf of his fellow men. The Class rose to a man when the College with citation by President Kemeny gave recognition to Tom.

The Dartmouth Outing Club luncheon was the final event of the 50th — an ideal spot to enjoy the beauty of the Hanover scene and to say goodbye until 1926 meets again, which for many can be in informal ways at hopefully frequent times until the 55th.

Herewith the swan song of Russ Clark, reunion chairman: "I tried at the 50th to thank Stew Orr, treasurer, and the committee (Harwood, Manser, Newhall, Norstrand, Rankin and Redman) and others who gave of their time and talents. Also, my humble thanks to all the classmates, wives, and widows whose enthusiastic outpouring made the 50th such a memorable event. It was a great tribute to their loyalty and class spirit."

Thus endeth the 1926 Finest Fiftieth with a sincere vote of thanks to Russ and Betty and their legion of willing helpers for their untiring efforts which made the Reunion such a happy occasion for all.

CLASS SECRETARY