1950

Hanover in early May, a fickle changeling poised for an accelerated rush into spring. The ground at Chase field is still spongy, reluctant to permit any activity, let alone lacrosse. The hills are tinged green, defiantly. And the hillwinds threaten always to turn warm sunshine into sullen chill.

Still, Hanover in May even early May is exciting. Students mingle everywhere. Activity abounds as the academic year moves inexorably towards its climax. The place is electric with energy releasing.

The students are unbelievably active. Listen to some of them. Holly Burks '81 (field hockey and lacrosse): "The heavy mix of classes and varsity athletics sometimes leaves me breathless. I've had to learn to manage my time. But after four years at Dartmouth, I could start all over again."

Barry Pizor '82 (football and baseball): "Varsity sports are demanding; intramural activities, fun. Without both there would be no real athletic program here." Or Ann Deacon '83 (alleverything in basketball): "The time spent on the field or in the gym enhances the value of the academic part of education. I wish everyone could share my experiences."

A different view from Marie Center '82 (editor-in-chief, The Daily Dartmouth): "It is difficult to decide which comes first academics or the Daily D. But both are significant learning challenges." Marie predicts that her grades will drop during her tenure as editor. If so, the drop will hardly affect her ranking as an honors major in history.

Finally, Shaun Teevens '82 (football and captain-elect of hockey): "There is no thrill like beating Harvard on Memorial Field and then amid the hubbub of the dressing room suddenly becoming silent to sing 'Men of Dartmouth.' At the end there was no dry eye among us."

The voices of athletes predominate in these comments for some reason they were available to talk to even though it was Green Key weekend. But the same refrain emanates from a broad spectrum of students with a variety of interests. You can sense the excitement in the theaters and recital halls, in the galleries or the shops, on Collis's common ground, on the playing fields, on the green, in the classrooms in essence, everywhere. The penalty is having to leave.

By the time these words reach you even reunion will have become a memory. From this vantage point in time the plans look great; from yours, reflecting, the event spoke for itself. My regret remains that some few of you could not be there. You missed something warm and meaningful. Set your sights for '85.

One deadline remains: the closing of the Alumni Fund drive. We set a tough goal. At this point in the campaign our chances of meeting that goal look grim, We are falling short in participation (even $1 counts for participation credit). We are falling short in dollars. Three thoughts: first, have you adjusted your giving to compensate for inflation, especially in this allimportant reunion year? Second, have you truly considered the value of your Dartmouth experience to you? Third, has your gift reflected this value?

After four years as president of Bellevue Community College in Washington State, evidently four tough years of necessary realignment and reorganization, Tom O'Connell is stepping down. Commenting on Tom's decision, the chairman of Bellevue's board stated that "his courage, his perception, and his intelligence served the college well. His departure as president is a real loss to the college and to the community." Tom aspires to complete his career in the classroom and at his writing table.

Ray DeVoe is one of several classmates often quoted in the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. He is known as an astute financial analyst. Therefore, we should heed his advice that the consumer price index ill reflects the actual pain of inflation. "If the C.P.I, accurately measures inflation for an average American family, it's purely an accident." For example, Ray suggests, "Take the cost of loving any stage: first date, courtship, honeymoon. The prices of little things flowers, dinner, theater tickets, strolling violinists have increased 420 per cent compared to 1955 prices. The CPI has only increased 228 per cent during the same time interval. Or, take the cost of living it UP- .. ." Ray insists his calculations are not scientific, just accurate personal observations.

Tidbits here and there: Dick and Ginny Putney lured George McClary from Santa Rosa for an all-too-brief reunion in San Francisco. Monty Miller notes that two Tri-Kaps account for $l2 million in gifts to the Campaign for Dartmouth. The Measure of Greatness by Parton Keese evaluates the unique traits and talents that set certain athletes apart from us, mere mortals. Bill Kane spotted the credit to Fritz and Lucy Jewett for the San Francisco ballet's per- formance of The Tempest on P.B.S. The last notice from Jim Farmer stated that, despite overwhelming odds, he was still trying to return for reunion. Bob Thomson, who will wed Marjorie Cot 6 Gibson on June 27, now toils for Contour Packaging, a Philadelphia-based manufacturer of plastic bottles.

G.E. relocated Pieter von Herrmann from Wilmington, N.C., to Cleveland to run the research laboratory of its lighting division. Watch those early snows! Except for commuting into Boston, Bob Foster relishes the change from a one-man office to the staff of Meredith and Grew, a commercial and industrial real estate firm. Spotted in Copley Square: Bruce Parker. Benner, Birdsong, and Associates, manufacturer's representatives for medical and surgical supplies, allows MarlandBenner to travel through eight southern states from his home in Orlando. A trade show forces Skip Sutton and Scott Olin to be in Chicago at a critical time in mid-June. The last act: now that editor Bob Shnayerson has left (see April and May columns) Quest is on the block; Bob has become editor and publisher of a forthcoming magazine, Technology.

A personal note: serving as your secretary has been one of my most cherished and rewarding experiences. But after eleven years yes, time does pass unnoticed you need a fresh view, a new perspective. Although I leave this trust with satisfaction, I leave reluctantly, sadly. There is no more to say.

That's a wrap. So, so long. So long.

The winter get-together for these '51 classmates at Stratton Mountain, Vermont, is becoming an annual event. From left: Nancy Moyer, Jerry Block, Ellen Phillips, HankMoyer, Howard Phillips, and Tazuko Block.

510 Hillcrest Road Ridgewood, N.J. 07450

John C. Harned was named 1980-81 Class President of the Year at Class Officer's Weekend in May. "The comfortable coexistence of both traditional and innovative class activities" .was commended as "a trademark" of his tenure.

The "innovative" Alexander GuildMedlicott was named Newsletter Editor of the Year at Class Officers Weekend. "You well learned to write real good, Joe, Professor, Sir," his citation said.