1949

Thank you, retiring Secretary E. Charles Schuetz. Your legacy of unused news has been gratefully received. The transition has been bridged and, for the next five years, I'm on my own ... a very lonely feeling, which I hope each of you will help me to overcome in the ensuing months.

Amid the dog days of August it is comforting to contemplate that as you read these notes our October mini-reunion will be upon us. For those of you who will be in Hanover during the Yale weekend, why not plan to fall in behind our new class banner for the torchlight parade on Friday evening. We assemble at 7:15 p.m. on Lebanon St.

The aforementioned banner is a gift from Gretchen Vanderhoff in memory of Dave. It has been custom designed by the College Art Department and portrays the distinctiveness of the Class of 1949. Our thanks to Gretchen for her thoughtfulness.

The big class news this summer was the outstanding accomplishments of Reunion Giving Chairman Ed Leede and Head Class Agent BillChapman in leading us to new class and reunion giving records. The class gift of $276,831 exceeded our goal by $26,831 and surpassed the previous 30th reunion record held by the Class of 1944 by $83,000. This in Spite of a decline in contributors from last year. As the Alumni Fund staff headlined their final bulletin: "You . . . have made the echoes ring for Dartmouth."

Another "well done" is also in order for Alumni Council member Ray Rassenberger, who chaired this year's record-setting $5 million plus drive, and was the recipient of this year's Gold Pickaxe Award at ceremonies following the June reunion banquet.

The Class is delighted to extend its best wishes to Al Quirk upon his promotion to director-designate of admissions. He will succeed Eddie Chamberlain as director of admissions upon Eddie's retirement. Al was one of a pool of more than 65 applicants reviewed in the course of a six-month national search by a faculty committee headed by Geography Professor Bob Huke '48. Al has been deputy director of admissions at the College for nearly 15 years.

Another College news release was captioned, "the giver of Dartmouth awards, finds himself receiving one in June." Loyal shepherd of the alumni flock and Secretary of the College MikeMcGean, who has had a hand in the selection and presentation of scores of Alumni Awards over the years, found himself being given a special award by Don W. Hummel '55, president of the Alumni Council.

And one final note on the College scene involves former dean and adopted class member Thaddeus Seymour. Thad has been named to the presidency of Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla., after having served for the past nine years as president of Wabash College.

A note from Zandy Taft finds him promoted from director of customer service and legislative liaison to assistant to the president of N.H.-Vt. Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Additional duties now include taking over professional relations for New Hampshire and reorganizing and revitalizing that department and other special projects for the president. Zandy moved from Greenville, N.H., to Peterborough a year ago after selling a large house and building a smaller one. His son graduated from the University of New Hampshire in June and his daughters are starting their senior and junior years at Norwich University and Wheelock College.

Jim Sullivan writes that Joan and he are still in Newark, Del. - she a professor at Goldey-Beacom Business College and he an engineer with DuPont. Their youngest daughter, Patricia, was married last spring and their eldest, Debi, teaches in Newark, having graduated from Missouri Valley College four years ago. Patricia graduated from Colby-Sawyer. Their son Jimmy was tragically injured in an assault four years ago. He suffered severe brain damage and has been a wheelchair patient since. "He gradually improves from year to year and we pray that God's grace will speed his recovery. He is happy, though wounded, and thankfully retains his intellect. When we can, Joan and I relax golfing and skiing. It has kept us afloat when things were difficult."

From the "heart of the High Sierras," Jim Smith writes that he is still with Union Carbide Metals Division (27 years) and has been employee relations manager since 1976. His wife Avis has returned to the ranks of the employed as court clerk for two justice courts, one in Bishop, Calif., and the other in Independence. Their four sons are scattered but "confirmed Westerners." Jeff, 26, will be teaching in Portland, Ore.; Steve, 22, is working in Sparks and Reno, Nev., in construction; Mike, 18, and his wife Tammy live in Bishop, and she is expecting in August; and David, 16, is still at home, active in 4-H and training two horses. "Love this life!"

As to the activities of your new secretary, I'm not talking so long as you do. The choice is yours.

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