On Being Involved

David Rockefeller urged Dartmouth students to get involved, or risk leaving the field of public policy "in the hands of misguided zealots who are always willing to take positions."

To the applause of 2,500 people gathered in Thompson Arena for Convocation, Rockefeller said "It would be a sad day, indeed, if the so-called moral majority was ever to become the true majority."

Of his brother, Nelson, David Rockefeller commented, "My brother had many remarkable qualities and it is because of them that I am so delighted by the establishment of the new center for the social sciences. While Nelson was instinctively a politician, he also always had a much broader view of life than simply the results of the next vote."

He continued, "Nelson was never happy if he did not feel he was doing something to make the world a better place to live in. I believe the new center will further that objective, and its existence here at Dartmouth would have pleased him very much."

Mr. Rockefeller, who since leaving leadership of the Chase Manhattan Bank more than two years ago, has been engaged in a host of public affairs and projects, asserted, "This country and the world desperately need trained, purposeful, motivated people who can help turn the greatest threats mankind has ever known into an even greater panorama of opportunity and well-being. Those people are you."

Sounding an optimistic note about the future, he contended, "Despite all the evil we see around us, despite threats such as nuclear catastrophe or environmental ravage, I see no reason to conclude that solutions can not be found ... if men and women of wisdom and good will are willing to roll up their sleeves and get involved... "

He concluded, "I would suggest you could do no better than follow, in this respect, the spirit and example of my late brother, Nelson. In so doing you will do a favor to your future children and to my grandchildren. I urge you: get involved!"

President David T. McLaughlin told students at convocation, "As you consider your own goals at Dartmouth this academic year as each of you strives toward an attainment of your personal objectives I urge you to look beyond the immediate and to consider the importance of stretching your capacity to define your universe in multi-national terms, of understanding the interrelationships of various disciplines as you deal with complex matters."

McLaughlin said, "In pluralistic society, within any universe you define . . . recognize there are many sides to most issues." The president continued, "Development of your ability to form and hold opinons rationally, and with both conviction and courage, is an objective of liberal learning even as dealing courteously and tolerantly with contrary or conflicting views is a requisite for an appropriate, constructive application of that learning.

. . . Peaceful conflict resolution may well be the imperative of our time."