1927

Our fiftieth reunion is here! Nostalgia. "Who can forget those - many memories - engravened in our hearts?" September 1923 seems like yesterday, when 595 of us entered Dartmouth as freshmen. We were the second class to be picked under the selective admissions proceedings. Transfers and dropbacks increased our final recorded membership to 612.

Of the 368 who received degrees, 228 are believed to be living; of the 226 nongraduates, 118. Deduct 24 as missing or not interested, and we are said to have a present class membership of 322 (222 plus 100). We expect 120 or more to be in Hanover with their families for our 50th. 1927 is an admirable class, full of friendship and loyally supportive of Dartmouth.

In the early years following graduation, the Class was held together largely by the efforts of our secretary-chairman of the executive committee. Doane Arnold, and treasurer-class agent, Harry B. Cummings. Reunions were held every five years, and an executive committee and officers chosen. Constitutions were adopted, lost, or amended in 1932, 1937, 1952 and 1957.

From combined memories and old ALUMNI MAGAZINES we record the following:

Chairman or president following Doane Arnold: 1947-52, Robert W. Williamson; 1952-57, Joshua A. Davis; 1957-67, Robert N. Stevens; 1967-73, Howard J. Mullin; 1973-77, Kenneth H. Murray. Secretary following Doane Arnold: 1952-62, Carleton G. Broer; 1962-70, Roger M. Bury; 1970-73, William L. North; 1973-77, Charles P. Baker, Jr. Treasurer: 1923-1977, Harry B. Cummings. Reunion treasurer: 1973-77, Jay B. Willing. "Speakeasy" newsletter editor following Harry B. Cummings: 1957-63, Leslie B. Battin; 1963-68, Michael E. Choukas; 1968-70, William L. North; 1970-77, Thomas W. Gillespie. Class agent besides Harry B. Cummings and Charles W. Bartlett: 1947-48, George E. Howell; 1959-50, Carleton G. Broer; 1951-53, Spencer S. Cook; 1954-56, Howard J. Mullin; 1957-58, Roger B. Salinger; 1958-62, Lawrence W. Scammon; 1962, Andrew M. Rankin; 1963, William C. Cusack; 1964, Robert N. Stevens; 1965-76, Samuel Z. Wormser; 1977, Lawrence W. Scammon. Bequest chairman: 1953-68, Leon C. Greenbaum; 1968-77, Paul Revere O'Connell. Reunion chairman following Doane Arnold and Harry B. Cummings: 1947, Michael E. Choukas; 1952, Warren D. Oliver; 1967, Kenneth H. Murray; 1973, Paul F. Hannah; 1977, Roger M. Bury.

The class has been honored eight times with the Alumni Award: 1964, Carleton G. Broer; 1965, Robert N. Stevens; 1968, Charles L. Hardy; 1969, Charles W. Bartlett; 1970, Doane Arnold; 1973, William B. Head; 1974, Roger M. Bury; 1977, Samuel Z. Wormser (post-humously).

At the 10th reunion in 1937, the Class adopted a new constitution, article XI of which, provided that the Dick's House Committee keep actively in touch with the house mother to assist in maintaining the spirit and usefulness of this memorial to one of our classmates and that at our fiftieth reunion our class chairman offer to the Class of 1977 the opportunity of assuming this responsibility which 1927 has had the privilege of carrying. We have made Dick's House the theme of our 50th reunion and have published a history of it.

At the same reunion a four-foot-long birch log shaped like a cane and bearing the signatures of those present was sent to Doane Arnold, who was ill, and he promised to show it at the fiftieth.

The Alumni Fund in 1937 was in its infancy, and 254 members of 1927 (70%) contributed $2,163.62. By 1952 the class's contribution rose to $14,000, in 1961 to $32,500, in 1962 to $36,000, and in 1976 to $55,884. We hope the 1977 total will reach $300,000.

Another outstanding Dartmouth class officers' meeting was held in Hanover this year on May 6-7. Our class was represented by president Kenneth H. Murray, secretary Charles P. BakerJr., class agent Lawrence W. Scammon, news editor Thomas W. Gillespie, bequest chairman Paul Revere O'Connell, reunion chairman RogerM. Bury, and reunion giving chairman RobertW. Williamson. Paul O'Connell also will preside at the meeting of the General Association of Alumni during reunion. At a separate meeting final plans for our June gathering were made.

Frell M. Owl is back in first place as the oldest member of the Class. He reports the Cherokee Tribal Roll lists the date of his birth as March 1, 1899, and that he has a delayed birth certificate to confirm it. Social Security accepted it, and so do we. Hail to the chief. Frell says if he gets over the shingles, he and Gladys will be at reunion.

Harland Manchester believes that this bit of medical adventure may interest more than one classmate. His doctor was pleased with Harland's health and told him about an 85-year-old patient who had a complaint. "I've been coming to you for 25 years, and I don't feel a bit better."

This being my final column as class secretary, I wish to thank all for their cooperation, cards, and letters. Larry Scammon suggested the "50 Years Ago" idea, and he and the late RoyBlanchard even dug up some of the material. It has been a pleasure to work with Ken Murray,Tom Gillespie, Gus Cummings, Rog Bury, and the others.

And special thanks to alumni records secretary, Nancy Elliott, and the ALUMNI MAGAZINE staff - Dennis Dinan, Mary Ross, Shelby Grantham, and the late beloved Joan Hier, whose cute memos made writing class notes a real pleasure.

FIFTY YEARS AGO

Track Ds awarded to R. J. Covert, R. C. Herrmann, M. J. Ketz, S. H. Martin, J. P. Sheldon, W. B. Smith and N. J. Zaro.

Straight D awarded M. H. Partridge for winning NE Intercollegiate Singles title in tennis and tDt to G. E. Morcroft, M. H. Partridge, E. A. Ross and A. M. Welty.

Dick's House dedicated by Mr. and Mrs. E. K. Hall as memorial to their son, Richard Drew Hall '27.

Senior elections indicate new hockey rink as Dartmouth's greatest need, with better professors, eating clubs, and beer coming in second. Phi Beta Kappa key considered a greater honor than winning a D. Wellman elected favorite professor; physics, the hardest subject; history and women the favorite subjects. Cusack elected most popular, one who had done most for Dartmouth, busiest, and one most likely to succeed; Picken, best allround athlete; Hannah, most intellectual; Funkhouser, most conscientious; Ballantyne, handsomest; W. B. Fryberger, best-dressed; and Dooley, most versatile; Bartlett, second done-most for Dartmouth; and J. A. Davis, second most popular.

344 Seniors receive degrees at 158th commencement. Class speakers were T. J. Anglem, J. N. Hough, W. L. North, and M. R. Preuss. Summa cum laude: M. E. Choukas, P. F. Hannah, valedictorian; R. F. Hood, salutatorian; J. D. Wood. Magna cum laude: K. B. Anderson, T. J. Anglem, W. Burgert, A. Buschmann, L. I. Duncan, R. B. Fox, R. F. French, J. N. Hough, E. R. Johnson, F. W. Marsh 2nd, D. H. Merriam, Jr., K. N. Meyercord, J. H. Munro, W. L. North, W. D. Oliver, R. S. Schackne, F. D. Stubbs, C. T. Swanson. Cum laude: C. P. Baker Jr., R. W. Barkelew, L. H. Berry, W. H. Butterfield, O. R. Garfield, J. L. Hardin, Jr., B. L. Langworthy, A. A. Lawrence Jr., R. L. Long, E. H. Miner, L. W. Moulton, J. A. Mullen, A. H. Norris, R. H. Slater, W. H. Smith, L. B. Stevens, N. R. Voorhis.

Secretary 13 Wintergreen Hill Painesville, Ohio 44077

Head Agent, 39 Hilltop Place New London, N.H. 03257