1947

My first message as acting secretary is being composed right on the heels of President Reagan's State of the Union message, which set forth a plan for a new federalism in which it is envisioned that programs heretofore supported and maintained by the federal government will be turned over to the states. As a life-long Republican, who has long argued for bringing government services closer to the people, I feel in a strange position now that I serve higher education and have to worry about student aid cutbacks and their effect on the young people of this country. I hope Congress will take a long, hard look at the President's program before it becomes a reality. This brief introductory personal note is by way of saying that I am still enjoying my work as president of Franklin Pierce College in Rindge, N.H. Dorothy has recently taken over as president of the newlymerged Monadnock Visiting Nurses Association, an activity in line with her long term interest in health services. Daughter Meg, Franklin Pierce College '77, is a special education teacher in Bermuda, which gives one more reason for those all-too-short but so-delightful trips to that beautiful island, while son Andy, Dartmouth '78, has worked for the last year as legislative assistant for Senator Warren Rudman in Washington, D.C. I often get to see classmate Jim Shanahan, as Jim is a member of the Franklin Pierce board of trustees.

More good news from Dartmouth classmates. Bob Mortimer of Hinsdale, Ill., an executive of an Oak Brook brokerage firm, was presented a Dartmouth Alumni Award in recognition of his service to his community and college at a reception for new College President David T. McLaughlin '54 in Chicago on November 19. Bob is first vice president and a director of Blunt, Ellis and Loewi, and he has been very active in many charitable endeavors within Cook County as well. He has also served as treasurer and president of the Dartmouth Alumni Association in Chicago, and he served on the Alumni Council from 1966 to 1970.

George W. Miller has been elected president of Nationwide Development Company, a Nationwide Insurance affiliate. George was moved from the position of vice president and general manager of that company. George married the former Elizabeth Wallace of Evanston and they now live in Upper Arlington, a suburb of Columbus, Ohio. They are the proud parents of four children. Nationwide Development develops planned communities, office buildings, industrial parks, and other realty.

Some really big news of a Dartmouth '47 came through in early November when Texaco Canada Inc. announced that Roland "Rocky"Ruthier, president of that subsidiary of Texaco Inc., who had been serving as president, had also taken on the additional duties of chief industrial officer. Rocky's appointment ended a year-long search for a new chief executive.

Head agent Frank Weber writes to advise that our 1982 goal is up 30 per cent over the 1981 goal in the Alumni Fund drive. Our new goal is $84,047, and our participation goal is set at 51 per cent. The total Alumni Fund goal is an ambitious $9,000,000, with the participation goal set at 67 per cent. It won't be easy, but I am sure that we can do it if everyone does their bit. I join Frank in urging classmates to consider carefully their 1982 giving, with a hope for an increase of 25 to 30 per cent, if they are able, of course. Frank needs all the help he can get!

On a sadder note, I must report the death of Arnold Boomer on November 15, 1981, at the V.A. Hospital in Providence, R.I. Arnold leaves his wife, the former Georgia Patterson, and five children. More details will be available later.

Four '47s were among the hundreds who helped celebrate Dartmouth Night in Boston last Octoberbefore the Harvard football game. From left to right are Paul Spiers, Paul Carlson, TownesHarris, and Hugh Chapin.

19 East Mountain Road Peterborough, N.H. 03458