1922
"WELCOME CLASS OF 1982" is the friendly greeting across the portico of Hopkins Center as Dartmouth begins her 209th academic year and 1,053 freshmen - 737 boys and 316 girls - join the Dartmouth Family.
This gracious welcome admittedly evokes nightmares of that September 60 years ago when the Class of 1922 arrived in Hanover. By contrast, the reception awaiting all 393 freshmen was intimidating and terrifying. As we nervously entered the dormitories, large posters warned:
"Down on your ham bones ye fresh mutts of 22 and grovel in the dust kicked up by the invincible Class of 21 as they thus command you."
No less than 15 intimidations followed. For example:
"Take ye care that the pea green bonnet, the emblem of your ignorant order, at all times and at all places, hides the 'For Rent' sign on your attic, lest the rain beat down and rust your cranium.
"The beaten paths of the Campus are rough and narrow, but one step to either side means destruction and everlasting damnation.
"Approach not too near the Senior Fence, for 'tis written: 'And these two things shall be inseparable, the Senior Fence and the Trough. A Frosh may not choose the former without the latter!
"Do not envy the brawny biceps of the mighty Sophs. Strength comes as natural to them, but you must gain yours by the sweat of your brow. Never pass up an opportunity to better yourself by beating rugs or shagging trunks.
"Dartmouth is indeed fortunate to obtain such a promising young man as you, but you will be informed when the College considers you an essential for its further maintenance." Verily, a prophecy loyal alumni gladly sustain!
Thus, these and ten other awesome commands were '21's welcome to '22. At least, no Twoter had any problem seeking his identity. It was fully and terrifyingly prescribed. Yet it made us completely class conscious, and '22 developed a love for Dartmouth that continues unsurpassed. Even some of our most cherished friends have come from those haughty, arrogant, disdainful sophomores. And only a year later we, too, became bombastic "wise fools."
Now, whence after 60 years comes this priceless copy of '21's welcome to '22? HarveyMoses excavated it somewhere, and now with hearty gratitude it is in our class archives.
Clark Bristol, Jack and Fran Dodd, Carrolland Nan Dwight, Harvey Moses, Ozzy andMary Siegfried were in Hanover at various times during the summer. Jack and Fran had a house at Quechee and Ozzy and Mary likewise at Dorset, Vt. The Siegfrieds' stay was unfortunately shortened in early September when Ozzy after a week at Mary Hitchcock for back trouble returned to Buffalo for further treatment. Carroll and Nan came up from their summer home on Lake Sunapee and Harvey came over from his long-time seasonal home on Silver Bay, Lake George.
Clark Bristol's stay consisted of several weeks at Mary Hitchcock for treatment of a very uncommon illness. Visits to him were rewarding not only because of his satisfactory progress, but also because we got to catch up with our former Glee Clubber. Remember him with some of our other songsters such as BobBartlett, Jim Hamilton, Steve Kenyon, EarleSmith, and Walt Sands? Clark's successful insurance career was in Hartford, Conn., Boston, Montpelier, Vt., and since 1950 in Manchester, N.H., where he retired in 1965 as executive vice president of the New Hampshire Insurance Group. A prominent Rotarian, he is a former district governor and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also chairman of the building committee for the Brookside Congregational Church in Manchester. The family consists of his wife Mildred, two married daughters, nine grandchildren, and twin great-grandsons. Since retiring he has kept busy building or restoring ten houses, including his ocean front summer home at Kittery Point, Me. Come back to Hanover soon again, Clark, but stay away from the hospital.
Have a thankful Thanksgiving.
11 Brockway Rd. Hanover, N.H. 03755
