1954

This is the first column of a big year for the big Class of's4. Believe it or not, we've reached that momentous milestone - our 25th reunion year. When we were seniors who would have thought that the 25th reunion class was really made up of people who were so young that they were only slightly removed from their college years - at least in mind. But it must have been so because here we are, the 25th reunion class, and who could be younger than we are?

We have Steve Mullins to th.ank for a great start to what would be a record-breaking year. Steve's performance in leading us to another Green Derby for the 1978 Alumni Fund - a record-breaking giving effort for a non-reunion class - and just an outstanding class effort has to make us all proud. Not only should we pat Steve on the back and say thanks, but we should all pat each other on the back and say, "it was a super team effort!"

As we move into this reunion year, there are a lot of people working towards a great June reunion weekend. Under the leadership of our class chairman, Dave Mandelbaum, the reunion leadership has been brought together. KevinSullivan, our first class agent, has agreed to undertake the challenging task of reunion giving chairman. Kevin will be putting together a team around the country to spur that exceptional effort necessary to reach the reunion giving level obtained by our predecessor classes, especially the Class of '53. Steve Mullins will manage his team of assistant class agents to boister that terrific Alumni Fund performance and help reach our goal.

Bill White is putting his professional background as head of J. T. White Publishers to work for the Class. Bill is the publisher of the class book, of which you all will be the authors. The reunion is being organized by the most efficient and experienced triumvirate of DickPage, John Gillespie, and Pete Barker. How can we go wrong with this impressive line-up of talent?

The reunion committee will keep in touch with you over the year through the newsletter, a series of individual mailings, and guest appearances in this column. The following from Dick Page is the first of those guest appearances:

" 'For the Class of 1954 . . . there will be reunions, and the joy of returning together, as long as there is breath in two of you.' (John Sloan Dickey, Commencement 1954).

"There was another kind of returning in President Dickey's mind when he included that prediction in his valedictory to our Class one warm, sunny June day on the lawn in front of Baker Library. He was talking about the constant need to return to Dartmouth's teachings when we faced the moral uncertainties he foresaw in the years to come. And now, we have the opportunity to do both.

"Faster than any of us would like, the days have rolled themselves into years. Just a few short months from now, it will be our turn to go back to Hanover for the biggest and best of all reunions, the 25th. And, now is the time to start thinking about it; now is the time to make your plans. So, get out the calendar, gather the family around the kitchen table, and let's get going.

"First, make sure everyone has the dates June 14, 15, 16 and 17, 1979. This is a family affair, planned for all the kids from six to 46. We don't want anyone to miss it. And you shouldn't either. There just aren't enough times when we can get away from it all, get to know each other even better, and take that relaxed look at life. Don't worry about keeping the whole gang amused. From athletics to intellectualism to Zen Buddhism, we truly have something for everyone. (For those of you who haven't been to New England for a while this might be just the time for an extended trip, etc., etc.)

"Second, please do respond to Bill White's request for a picture and your reflections on 'the good life' for the class book. It will only be as successful as we make it.

"Third, 1954 has always been a special class. Like our predecessors in 1953, we have broken virtually every record in sight when our turn came. The 1978 Alumni Fund effort is a case in point. Let's not quit now; the magic number for us is 258 classmates in Hanover. A big job, but think of the fun we'll have doing it.

"Lastly, keep reading your mail; we'll be in touch!"

Special reunion book notice; Return forms to Bill White, James T. White & Company, 1700 State Highway Three, Clifton, N.J. 07013.

You don't have to wait until June 14 to start participating in the reunion events. The Class Executive Committee is sponsoring a mini-reunion over the Yale weekend in Hanover on Friday, October 13, and Saturday, October 14. As usual, the Executive Committee will be staying at the Woodstock Inn and the series of class cocktail parties and after-game activities will be scheduled in both Woodstock and Hanover.

The following weekend is the Harvard game in Cambridge. George McLaughlin has been gracious enough to offer to host a post-football-game blast for all '54s on October 21. So all of you who will be at the Harvard game should look forward to a mini-reunion at George McLaughlin's at 34 Cedar Road, Belmont, Mass. Thanks from all of us to George and Betty, for their gracious invitation.

Since I've used up most of my allowed space this month for'reunion news, I will have to hold all of the summer's accumulation of news of classmates' comings and goings until next month.

One sad note must be included now. We received a notice that Judge Herbert S. Jacobs died suddenly on July 8, 1978. A detailed notice of his death appears in the obituary column this month.

95 Plymouth St. New Bedford, Mass. 02740