1951

Here are the commemorative words to Mike Choukas as written by Reed Badgley for the "Spirit of '5l Award" presented to Mike at our mini-reunion in Hanover in October 1983:

"Mike, when you first stepped into our lives wearing, like us all, a pea-green freshman beanie, little did we know what a meaningful impact you would have on our class through your achievement, on our College through your commitment, and on our fellow man through your caring.

"At Dartmouth your talents quickly became apparent. As a varsity player you were deft on the baseball diamond and a whiz at hockey, where you not only captured the coveted 'D,' but were awarded the Robert E. Mulhern Hockey Trophy. Thirty years later in July 1982, you showed undiminished skill by playing on the New England hockey team in the Snoopy Senior Olympics, winning a gold medal against two Canadian teams. Your presidency of Phi Kappa Psi and election to the Sphinx senior society are tributes to the esteem in which you were held.

"Following your graduation in 1951, you joined the Marine Corps where you were given a letter of commendation and eventually rose to battery commander with the rank of captain; 1951 also marked the year you won the very special charms of Juanita Crosby, whom you married on November 3. She blessed you with three fine children Melanie, Eleanor, and Michael, Dartmouth class of '77. Standing at your side from that November day forward, Nita has been a gifted partner and a gracious hostess, as those of us who return to Hanover so well know.

"Returning to civilian life,, desperation for an escape from the staff of Tanzi Brothers, where Harry and Charlie voiced assurance of your great promise, led you to a teaching assignment at Milbrook School in New York. In 1954 you moved to the faculty of Vermont Academy, where you had excelled as an undergraduate. In 12 years, through dedication, an acute sense of involvement, and a great capacity for caring, you rose to headmaster. Among your most meaningful contributions to the school was your development of the now well-known survey course for seniors, 'Man and His World.' For this and other achievements, Vermont Academy in 1962 awarded you the Conduct Cup for outstanding service.

"Your effectiveness as an educator earned you not only the respect of your colleagues, but numerous appointments of distinction. You have said your proudest professional honor was your election in 1973 to the Headmaster Association, where you remain a member to this day. Other honors include appointment to the New England Associ: ation of Schools and Colleges, where you served on both the commission on independent schools and the school and college relations committee. You were also president, Vermont Independent Schools Association; president, Independent Schools Association of Northern New England; and chairman, admissions committee, National Association of Independent Schools.

"Your sense of caring and involvement extend to state and community service, where your capacity for excellence has been deservedly recognized. You served as trustee, the Lenox School; president, Saxtons River Council; and incorporator, Rockingham Memorial Hospital, Bellows Falls, Vt. You are currently chairman of both the Ford Sayre John Boardman Oak Hill fund drive and the James Campion III Memorial Park fund drive.

"You returned to Hanover in 1977 to lead a five-year marathon of which all of Dartmouth is deeply proud. As director of leadership gifts, Campaign for Dartmouth, you spearheaded a committee which personally con- tacted 10,948 friends of Dartmouth. This effort raised for the College an astounding $38,391,953. As a tribute to your inspired leadership, your nine campaign regional directors presented Vermont Academy a scholarship in your name.

"Mike, your presence does make a difference! It is with respect and warm affection that we present you with the 'Spirit of '51 Award.' "

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