1951

Amy and I have just returned from Class Officers Weekend and as usual the College went all out. Our class was well represented with Vice President Russ Dilks, Treasurer Carl Glassberg, Class Campaign Coordinator Charlie Breed, and your secretary. We had a chance to visit classes, talk with undergraduates, be brought up-to-date on the state of the College, and to enjoy the North Country. We can once again report that Dartmouth is alive and well with it's vitality undiminished.

One of the particular highlights of the weekend was a lecture by Professor John Rassias of the Romance Language Department. Professor Rassias has gained an international reputation as a result of his unique method of teaching language. First he defined the three major qualities a professor must have to be a great teacher: "enthusiasm, relate to students by being the same person out of class as in class, and being an authentic human being with an indentifiable personality." I am sure many of you can remember the professor who used the same notes for 20 years and who droned on hour after hour. Professor Rassias is different! As he puts it, "the first thing you must do is demolish the barriers of inhibitions and then give a sensitivity to the language. You can't learn language from books because books have no emotions." Professor Rassias gave us a demonstration of how he applies his theories to actual teaching, and we got everything from chairs flying around the room to a demolished shirt. Even I could have learned a language from this man!

Another interesting lecture was a presentation of a new electronic synthesizer by John Appleton, associate professor of music. This machine, which uses a digital computer, has taken several years to develop and has utilized the talents of Professor Appleton, a Thayer School professor, and a programmer from the Kiewit Computation Center. One fascinating feature of this synthesizer is its memory. A composer may first play the string section. Then while the string section is being played back, he adds the horns; these two are then played back together and now the percusion may be added, etc., until all the instruments of a full symphony orchestra are melded into one. It even duplicates non-musical sounds such as the roar of a lion or the breaking of plates. Some amazing music comes out of this equipment and if you have approximately $15,000 to spare, you too may get on the waiting list.

In the last newsletter, Joe Spound, the peerless editor of same, told you about the plans for a mini-reunion the weekend of the Yale game, October 14-15. Prexy Buck Scott is coordinating the action and it promises to be a great weekend right at the peak of the fall colors. We will be staying at the condominiums at Quechee and will have plenty of opportunity for fraternizing and fun. If you haven't yet let Buck know you are coming, drop him a line - or if you need more info contact Buck at 408 McClenaghan Road, Wynnewood, Pa. 19096. We look forward to seeing a lot of you at this event.

Jim Rogers reports from Minneapolis on a new restaurant just opened by Walter Bush. Both Leanna and Jim were invited to a preview cocktail reception at Brand's Restaurant. "It is located in an old bank building which a number of years ago was abandoned for banking purposes because it was too small and then was taken over by an old established, highly successful restaurant that lost its location due to a redevelopment program. That restaurant finally folded, and several others have been located at the same spot. Walter has done a nice job of fixing up the decor of the inside building and has maintained the basic building, the beautiful stained glass windows, and the stone and marble architecture. It is a most attractive establishment and has a very interesting menu, with reasonable prices. I hope that he will be more successful than his predecessors in the same location." So do we.

We are coming to the end of this year's Alumni Fund campaign and I can tell you that Jim Bovaird and his hearty crew of volunteers have put in endless hours to assure the success of the campaign. If you have not as yet answered the call, please mail in your contribution now. The cause is worthy.

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