1954

TWENTY-FIFTH REUNION

Last month I wrote my last official Alumni Magazine column as outgoing secretary of the class. However, since the new class secretary, John Gillespie, also chaired the class reunion, it seemed unfair to turn the column over to him without first providing an unbiased view of the terrific job done by him and his committee - Pete Barker and Dick Page. If you were there, you know what a great four days were provided for the whole class through the efforts of this outstanding trio. Their administration was surpassed only by their creativity, which was surpassed only by their efficiency. Everything went so smoothly, you might have thought things had been directed by a professional group, rather than three amateurs. I don't think there are enough words in our collective vocabulary to thank John, Dick, and Pete for the absolutely super weekend.

It can now be said that, without a doubt, the 1954 25th reunion was the greatest reunion ever held at Dartmouth. For starters, here are some records we set. We received the class of 1894 silver cup for the largest percentage of living alumni (45 per cent) at a 25th reunion, the class of 1930 silver bowl for the largest number of alumni (270), and the class of 1942 silver bowl for the largest group ever to attend a reunion at Dartmouth (918 alumni, wives, dates, children, and two grandparents). Nice going, group!

The reunion got started at noon on Thursday, June 14. Two huge green-and-white- striped tents on Tuck Mall, decorated with hanging plants and Japanese lanterns, welcomed us. At registration, ably set up by Pete Barker, everyone was given a welcoming gift - classmates received snappy Stetson hats, their wives were given '54 sport handbags, and the kids got '54 crew shirts, frisbees, souvenir cups, and fountain pens.

A cocktail party Thursday night, officially opening the festivities, was followed by a buffet dinner at Thayer Hall. (My, how times have changed! Thayer Hall was a genuine treat for dinner ... the place even has a full-fledged pub that serves draft beer.)

After dinner, we heard Paul Zeller conduct his last Glee Club concert before retirement. Back at the tent, our long-lost class movies were shown, along with the film My First Weekat Dartmouth, which starred many 1954 undergraduates. Later, Charlie Breed '51 and his Mink Brook Five kept things moving with everything from Dixieland to disco.

Bright and early Friday, over 120 reunion runners anxiously awaited Joe Mesics' starting gun for the mini-marathon set up along a picturesque route including the Green and Occom Pond. First across the finish line was speedster Don Wheatley.

After continental breakfast in the tent, the class packed Cooke Auditorium for a seminar on "Great Issues for 1954," organized and moderated by Jon Moore. The program began with a tape of excerpts from G.I. lectures of our senior year that included the voices of John Dickey '29, Barbara Ward, David Lilienthal, Thurgood Marshall, Paul Tillich, and Robert Frost '96. Next, government professor Frank Smallwood '51 reviewed the intervening quarter century and projected the major concerns ahead. Then four classmates spoke from special career or personal perspectives: LarryMartz, assistant managing editor of Newsweek, on the media; Bill Pryor, D.C. superior court judge, on civil rights; JackChristy, president of IU International, on business and government; and Lo-Yi Chan, architect, on the needs of the dying. The seminar concluded with a spirited discussion between the audience and the panel.

At noon, we had a festive New England barbeque, with a Dixieland band in beautiful weather at Storrs Pond. After this outing, we dispersed for sightseeing, browsing, shopping, golf, and tennis.

Long known for its spirit as well as for its athletic prowess, the '54 class crew showed a lot of the former and just enough of the latter to beat '69 and '74 to the finish line in the reunion regatta. Flashing form reminiscent of earlier days were "Harry Robinson - bow, Gerry Zwart - 2, Beaver Nash - 3, Andy Christy - 4, George Hume - 5, Bob Buchanan - 6, Ron Dunton - 7, Dick Page - stroke, and Phil Cooke - coxswain. The iron men celebrated by giving Phil Cooke the traditional dunking in the Connecticut.

Another cocktail party at the tent was followed by a huge alumni parade. PeteBarker's 1954 convertible led us all down to Thompson Arena, where we were guests of the College at another fine dinner.

That night, for the teen-age set, a rock group played in Collis Center, while the Mink Brook band again livened up things at the tent, where we had many visitors from other reunion classes.

Saturday morning, after a hearty breakfast at Thayer Hall, we could choose a trip to Mount Moosilauke, tennis, golf, or more Main Street activity.

Reverend George Fitzgerald officiated at our memorial service in Rollins Chapel, which was followed by a brief class meeting conducted by David Mandelbaum. The nominating committee, under the able direction of Peter Kenyon, presented the slate of officers for the next five years, about which we'll give you full details in our next column.

A picnic luncheon at the Bema provided a lively setting for the remarks of John Sloan Dickey '29 about the importance of reunions. We all enjoyed the warm sunshine, the Dixieland music, and the good fellowship of this memorable occasion. Dick Page presented various awards, including a free ride for DanaLow.

Saturday evening found us at Thompson Arena again for cocktails and our class dinner. Thanks to balloon man Frank DelVecchio, an honorary member of our class, over 700 helium balloons decorated the tables. During dinner we listened to pop hits of the fifties, thanks to PeteBarker's C.B.S. record group. The high point of the program, emceed by Dick Page, was the presentation by Steve Mullins and his regional fund raisers of a check for $1,054,000 ($750,000 for the Alumni Fund and the remainder for endowment) to President Kemeny and the College.

Bill White received a standing ovation for the fantastic job he did in producing the marvelous reunion book, "Reflections." Peter Kenyon's efforts in providing a list of super prizes was also appreciated, particularly by the winners. We also heard songs by the Dartmouth Woodswind and Aires and a super medley of songs by Mead and Joan Metcalf. The dinner concluded with a nostalgic slide presentation entitled "Dartmouth Undying."

After dinner another rock concert was arranged for the kids, and, back at the tent, a powerhouse punch was provided by Pete Bullis' Black Eagle Jazz Band from Boston.

Sunday brunch at the tent concluded things. Four straight sunny days and a great renewing of old and establishing of new friendships gave everyone a marvelous feeling of camaraderie (what John Dickey had spoken to us about the day before).

Now for some final reunion statistics (thanks to Pete Barker's analytical persistence): PeteGeithner came the furthest - from Bangkok. Jaime Pradilla from Bogota, Columbia, was a close runner-up. We had over 15 classmates from California and 10 from Ohio. The largest contingent (42) came from Massachusetts.

Many of you took the time to tell us how much you enjoyed the reunion. Thanks for all your nice messages.

Arthur James Leonard Jr. '34 was presented with an Alumni Award at his 45th reunion this June for his "impressive" civic and College services. Executive vice president of Graves & Rodgers, he is also involved in the Albany-Saratoga area in activities which range from president and director of the Boys Club and director of the Albany Chamber of Commerce to director of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. He has also worked for Dartmouth in many capacities, both for his class and in fundraising and enrollment in the Albany area.

David Maher Lilly '39, banker, industrialist, and educator, was presented with a Dartmouth Alumni Award at his 40th reunion in June. Lilly was cited for his career achievements — his membership on the Federal Reserve Board, his top management position in industry, and his work as dean of the College of Business Administration at the University of Minnesota. The award also mentioned his civic and community activities, his golf prowess, and his many services to the College, including his efforts on the Third Century Fund, in chairing the overseers of the Thayer School, and on the Dartmouth Alumni Council.

The class of 1954 broke three 25th reunionattendance records this year, but whatmade the occasion memorable for the 918classmates and guests was the thrillof leading the alumni parade, the chanceto enjoy old friends in the New Englandsunshine, and the fun of mugging for thecameras with the "official" class Frisbees.

The class of 1954 broke three 25th reunionattendance records this year, but whatmade the occasion memorable for the 918classmates and guests was the thrillof leading the alumni parade, the chanceto enjoy old friends in the New Englandsunshine, and the fun of mugging for thecameras with the "official" class Frisbees.

The class of 1954 broke three 25th reunionattendance records this year, but whatmade the occasion memorable for the 918classmates and guests was the thrillof leading the alumni parade, the chanceto enjoy old friends in the New Englandsunshine, and the fun of mugging for thecameras with the "official" class Frisbees.

39 Walworth Avenue Scared ale, N.Y. 10583