1950
The euphoria of our annual spring trek to the North Country lingers. A driving rain marred the long drive up and, together with a late frost, decked the northerly peaks with a cap of snow. But the next morning dawned with skies swept bright. The greening season was more advanced than it had been in years, and the campus, carefully groomed to remove the ravages of a hard winter, wore its mantle of emerging colors with grace and charm.
Events this year have conspired to catch the eyes and ears of the national press. The stories, in my estimation, belie the reality. True, fraternity row needs cleaning up. We strolled over on Saturday afternoon to enjoy the hums and, with memories from our undergraduate days to recapture, were sadly disappointed. But this single snapshot of student life hardly reflects the whole, which is vibrant and exciting.
One of the pleasures of this spring weekend is the opportunity to talk with students and to interact with them — in classes, on the athletic fields, and in social gatherings. The simplest view of campus life today is that it is much more complex than it was in the past. Our diversity rose out of homogeneity; today, homogeneity stems from diversity. The important point is that the many constituencies of the College do talk, and through these discussions do come to know each other. Our generation tends to misunderstand the vital exchange of views that forges the links of understanding and compassion on today's campus.
Let the students speak for themselves. Bill Helman '80 on fraternities: "They are really making a conscious effort to clean up their act. The effort shows." Lud Truscott's son Bart '82 agreed, despite the showing at the hums.
Peggy Epstein '79 on the status of women: "Attitudes toward women have changed, slowly but positively, over the past four years. There are exceptions, but the atmosphere is far, far better now."
A senior on the impact of year-round operations: "There are about 250 seniors here for this spring term. They've finished. But they are here to be with their friends and to experience their final senior term at Dartmouth together."
Otho Kerr '79 on approaching graduation: "As graduation nears, trepidation increases. A sense of melancholy prevails. I shall be sad to leave Dartmouth next month."
And a junior, obviously speaking to an alumnus, on the campus as a whole: "Things may appear different to you, but one thing remains constant between us — a deep and abiding love for Dartmouth." Case closed.
With the words of today's students stirring you, how can you ignore this appeal? An important performance measure for this year's Alumni Fund is class participation. So far, 1950 is significantly below average. The Class needs all the help it can get; it needs your participation; it needs your gift. Please heed this appeal and bolster our participation and dollar levels.
Join me in being envious. Dick Ribble reports that he is in the throes of a mid-life career change. Rip is throwing over the corporate scene after 12 years, most recently as director of corporate communications with Home Savings, the country's largest savings and loan association. He has moved to the beach to become the general manager of the Laguna Niguel Racquet Club, which features extensive tennis and racquetball facilities. His new home is in Dana Point, Calif.
Dick has a pertinent view on the fraternity situation: "Maybe this generation of young men doesn't understand that belonging to a fraternity is part of the educational process and not a license to run amok."
New Jersey senators are being commended (in New Jersey) for presenting a superior list of candidates for the four vacancies on the state's federal trial bench. One of the four is H. Lee Sarokin, who served as Bill Bradley's finance chairman during last year's election campaign. An active trial lawyer, Lee is well regarded on both sides of the political fence. He is a partner in the law firm of Lasser, Lasser, Sarokin, & Hochman in West Orange.
Frank Dickinson is a busy man. His primary job is vice president of Turbine Technologies Inc., in Magnolia, Mass. In this job he sees a bit of the world. He is active in our class affairs, as the New Hampshire contingent is aware each spring during the Alumni Fund drive. Capitalizing on that experience, UNH recently named Frank the parents' chairman of the UNH Development Fund. Whenever he is not busy on the Campaign for Dartmouth, Frank will also act "as an advisor to the national development committee on policies and strategies relating to the total fundraising effort at UNH." In his spare time Frank is a Mason, a Shriner, and a senior warden of his church in Wolfeboro, where he and Joanne live with two of their six children.
Tidbits here and there: The trustees of the University of Tulsa have appointed John Gammie to serve as the Emma A. Harwell professor of biblical literature. John's first book, IsraeliteWisdom, was published last December. PhilChamberlain is a member of The Hollywood Group, which hopes to convert the renowned Hollywood and Vine from a run-down, seedy intersection into a dynamic center for entertainment and fun in keeping with its image. Ben and Joy Shaver fly — everywhere. Birdwatching in Washington and chasing a McKay's Bunting: Tom O'Connell. Chuck Little, who retired from the Marine Corps as a full colonel several years ago, now lives in a rambling old farmhouse in Scotland, Penn. RogerHillas has been re-elected a director of Provident Mutual Life Insurance Company.
Your last reminder: Next fall's mini-reunion convenes in Woodstock on the October 27 weekend. Write now for reservations. The pregame bring-your-own lunch at the Dartmouth Outing Club (opposite the golf course) starts at 11:30. The foe: Cornell.
Another sad note has arrived. RogersLarrabee died of cancer of the bone on 29 April.
So ends another year. In general it was a good year with only a touch of sadness here and there. Have a good summer, relaxing. See you in the fall. At the mini-reunion.
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