1965
The responsibility of the College at any given time is to the undergraduates of that period but the reputation of the College at any given time is largely in the hands of the alumni Ernest Martin Hopkins (1917)
My lead-in this month was used by Mark Harty '73 at breakfast on May 7 during Class Officers Weekend (a.k.a. Green Key Weekend). Something we all should keep in mind
Sharon and I, along with Jack and Sue Heidbrink and Larry and Merry Duffy, rep. resented the class to get an update on what's happening at the College and to join our counterparts in discussing how best to discharge our respective responsibilities. It was great to be back in Hanover and I was delighted to learn that the College continues to enjoy good health and is looking for ways to ensure that the quality of education and of life on campus remain high. Some highlights follow:
Student interns help out in a variety of ways in a number of administrative offices. Those we heard from were excited about their part in helping Dartmouth work better for and with its various constituencies. Their consensus on the Dartmouth Review was that while the conservative viewpoint has a place on campus, those who promote it should do so more responsibly and in a less insulting way.
Collis Center, since 1979 the "student union," tries (I gather successfully so) to provide a social alternative on campus. It offers programming which attracts participants and spectators. One unique activity, which we had a taste of, is the bi-weekly Eleazar's Dungeon, a non-alcoholic night-club-type smorgasbord of student and professional acts, which always draws a crowd.
Dr. Hilda Sokol, professor of physiology ati the Medical School, reported on ten years of coeducation, with conclusions drawn from "before and after" surveys. In general, there has been improvement in academic work; the Dartmouth experience seems to be a satisfying one; and Dartmouth men and women are remarkably similar in their attitudes and performance. Coeducation has had a positive impact, I'd say.
Bob Brace '52, chairman of the 1983 Alumni Fund, was cautiously optimistic about achieving this year's goals of $9.7 million and 68 per cent participation. As of early May, the fond needed 9,600 donors and $50,000 a day through June to meet these goals. Some 3,500 class agents are beating the bushes to ensure that we .make it. Have you given yet?
Year-round operation will continue but may be changed slightly in format to enhance class solidarity, according to a proposal being studied now.
Dartmouth, as is other schools, is awaiting the federal government's decision on financial aid and draft registration. The College's position at this point is that Dartmouth will replace with a loan at commercial rates any federal aid lost by an already-enrolled student for failure to register; such a loan could be called, however, in the event of the student's prosecution and conviction.
All in all, it was an informative visit, and we enjoyed the resulting feeling of renewal.
Bob Murphy, now vice president, finance and administration, for Hypertherm Inc. of Hanover, wrote recently of the next generation of Dartmouth men (in this case) and of a coincidence which has amused Bob and Bill Bos all winter. "Our ten-year-old sons," wrote Bob, "spent the season at left and right wing on the same line for the Hanover 'Squirt' hockey team. Bill and I commiserated through New Year's, when the team was 0-12, and celebrated for the next three months as they went 14-3 and won the state championship. Our boys were the teams high scorers, and they also led the team in penalty minutes, a statistic our wives claim is directly traceable to their Dartmouth heritage. Bill, incidentally, was elected this past November to the position of Windsor County, Vt., states attorney, which has qualified him as an expert commentator on the officials' mistakes in calling penalities on our boys."
It is good to see that some traditions do, indeed, never fail. Thanks for the note, Bob.
Unfortunately, I must report word of the death of another classmate, Thomas Hazard, formerly of Boston, Mass. Tom, who was known to us as Tom Tsutsumi, changed his shortly after graduating, as he entered Tufts University Medical School. Tom, who was married to Anne Hazard, died in September 1979 of Hodgkins disease. Not much is known of his activities since graduation. I know you join me in expressing condolences to his family.
Last-minute reminder the 1983 Alumni Fund ends June 30, bot gifts will still count if they are received prior to July 8 (dated June 30).So... if you haven't done so yet,pull out your checkbook and send a check to Dartmouth. Note that without the Alumni Fund, tuition ($8,190) would be $2,250 higher each year and other programs would suffer also. Your gift can help!
Keep in mind the mini-reunion at Pierce's in October. Let me know at the above address if you're interested.
Have a fine summer. Keep the faith!
M.I.T. Room #10-122 Cambridge, Mass. 02139
