1928

FIFTIETH REUNION

What a great reunion it was - 253 classmates, wives, widows, and children came from north, east, south, and west, including 17 from California, Oregon, and Washington, and 28 from Florida. It was friendly, joyous, nostalgic, light, serious - pure enjoyment all the way.

You have been fortunate to receive two fascinating reports of the 50th. The first, in July, was a 14-page "portfolio of snapshots" put together by Curly Prosser and HerbSensenig. (He co-chaired the reunion program committee.) The photos were by Dick Frame, art work was by Jack Rose, and a page of "Reunion Impressions" was by Art Kneerim.

The second report was a seven-page issue of the "'28 Campaigner" by Jack Herpel, mailed August 1, and starting out with a delightfully written "Fiftieth Reunion Report" by Art Kneerim and some random impressions and remembrances of our 50th by Jack.

Accordingly, and also because of a lack of space, we shall cover only highlights here, mainly for the record and for the benefit of members of other classes.

Reunion chair Bill Morton and his large committee arrived on Thursday, June 8, to see that every last detail of the impressive events was carried out. Give a rouse for Bill and his entire committee!

Starting Friday morning the hordes arrived and registration was efficiently handled by Curly Prosser and Herb Sensenig, treasurer Craig Haines, and other members of the welcoming committee and their wives. Curlyand Allene Prosser had labeled an envelope in advance containing 10 or 11 items including large badges (on which they had glued your Aegis and Green Book pictures), the Class Directory, programs, tickets, etc.

Our uniform was a Dartmouth-green cardigan sweater worn with light-colored shirt and slacks. An ID card which could be read at ten feet, plus a handsome needlepoint Indian head with "Dartmouth College 1928" around the border, designed by George Emery, completed the costume.

Friday and Saturday afternoons you had several options, including frequent bus tours of the Dartmouth-Hanover area, a varied and fascinating hobby show mounted by GeorgeEmery and the Curly Sadlers, 32 exhibitions in Silsby Hall, an exhibit of World War I posters collected by Hammie Hammesfahr and donated to Dartmouth last spring, (displayed in Hopkins Center), and an exhibit in Baker Library portraying Jack'O humor of the twenties as drawn by Jack Rose.

John and Christina Dickey were our honored guests at the '2B dinner at Thayer Friday night. President Jack Kenerson announced that John would not give a speech, but he came through with some excellent and nostalgic words. After the reception by President and Mrs. Kemeny at their home, some of you went to the Glee Club concert or went directly to the class tent.

Saturday was a busy day, starting with the '28 memorial service for the 292 deceased classmates, Rev. John Turkevich officiating. Next were class pictures on the steps of Webster, followed by the class meeting in Dartmouth Hall. George I. Davis was elected our new president. Others elected were: vice presidents, Curly Prosser (Hanover affairs) and Bill Morton; coordinator of Dartmouth Campaign Fund, John Phillips; secretary, OsSkinner; treasurer, Craig Haines; bequest and estate planning chair, Jack Kenerson; "'28 Campaigner" editors, Stew Hoagland and JackHerpel.

At the '28 luncheon at Alumni Hall, Bill Morton reported to President Kemeny that our class gift would exceed $300,000 and 300 donors by the end of the month. (The exact total reached $305,007, which is 500 per cent above last year's gift from 316 donors.) The block-buster of the day and of our reunion, was that Bud Osborn, who couldn't be present, had given the College a cool million dollars. (See news of the gift in the front of the MAGAZINE.) Dartmouth is certainly proud of Bud. The Class of 1928 grew up with Bud and is especially proud of him. [Just as we went to press came thesad news of Bud Osborn's death on August 13.An obituary will appear next month. Eds.]

After the luncheon the annual meeting of the General Association of Alumni was held in Spaulding Auditorium. Mike McGean presented a well-deserved Dartmouth Alumni Award to Mutt Jennings. Silver cups for record attendance were presented to the Class, and then George Davis gave the 50-year address with moving sincerity and new insights into the problems of administering an operation as complex as Dartmouth has become. In the final address John Kemeny helped us to understand what an inspiring environment Dartmouth provides for gifted young people.

The most gala events of the weekend were the '28 cocktail party at the Top of the Hop lounge and the dinner in Alumni Hall, with Jack Kenerson as master of ceremonies and Dean Ralph N. Manuel '5B as speaker.

This report would not be complete without .special mention of the 1928 awards, made partly at the class meeting and partly at the class dinner. The following classmates, known and respected throughout our class for years of service to 1928 and to Dartmouth, received concisely-worded and beautifully-framed citations: Jack Kenerson, the only president to serve two terms; Bill Morton, former class president, who also served four terms as class agent, three as head of the entire Alumni Fund, and chaired the 50th reunion;-Craig Haines, treasurer for 25 years; Jack Herpel, editor for 34 years of the "'28 Campaigner"; and Os Skinner, 41 years secretary.

Sunday was graduation and our class led the procession and then sat as a group next to the more than 900 seniors. We were proud that our Class was led by a youngest child of a '28er, Will Kneerim, and his dad, at the request of the class officers. The "get-away" luncheon at Thayer Hall prepared '28ers for the road refreshed and resolved that they'd like nothing better than to come back October 6-8 for the 1978 fall reunion, the weekend of the Boston University game.

George Davis '28, 50-Year Speaker, spokeof the College's leadership in the difficult task of adapting to changing times.

The Class of 1928, lining up to lead the commencement procession (above) and overseeing theprogram from seats of honor (top right), helped to speed the Class 0f 1978 on its way last June.

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