1962

Senator Paul Tsongas stunned Washington when he announced that he would not seek re-election because he was suffering from lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph nodes. The disease was sufficiently mild for him to be able to complete his second term, but he decided to return to his hometown of Lowell, Mass., to spend more time with his wife Niki and their three daughters Ashley, nine, Katina, six, and Molly, two. Paul plans to join the faculty of a Greater Boston university after retiring from the Senate in January 1985, teaching the relationship between government and business, an issue on which he has focused in the Senate. He also said he would like to join a local law firm and serve on a corporate board of directors. The class extends its deepest respect for a very difficult and personal decision and for a successful and rewarding career in the private sector. Congratulations to our adopted classmate Virginia Londoner Williamson, who was recently named vice president, business development, of McGraw-Hill Publications Company. Virginia and Gordy currently reside in Natick, Mass.

Speaking of Gordy, his comments in a recent column in this magazine prompted JimHale to submit something for the column for the first time since graduation. Jim is residing in Minneapolis and is currently senior vice president and general counsel for DaytonHudson Corporation. Now that he has joined a retailer, after 15 years of private law practice, Jim said his children comment that he is interesting for the first time in his life. As Gordy commented in his letter, Jim attended the advanced management program at Harvard Business School for 13 weeks last fall. He felt that the combination of returning to a campus and spending time with 160 business executives from 35 countries was an unforgettable experience. He said he was even able to adjust to being a Harvard student. JohnCushman joined him for a weekend, and they attended the Dartmouth-Harvard game in Cambridge and then drove to Hanover. Jim felt that visiting the College again on a quiet fall weekend was ideal. He extends best wishes to all of the '62s whom he has thought about but failed to stay in contact with. His P.S, to Gordy: "I don't eat hot dogs."

I received a letter from Jerry Cohen, who is presently associate professor of foreign languages at the University of Missouri at Rolla. Last year his book Origin of the Term "Shyster'' was published. Following is a brief description of what it's about. The book should interest both word buffs and anyone interested in the legal shenanigans of New York City in the mid-19th century. Jerry said that scholarly reaction to the book has thus far been very favorable.

"'Shyster' has been one of the most difficult items for etymologists of English, but a Rosetta stone to its origin exists: the previously overlooked 1843-1844 material in a New York City newspaper. This material contains an all-important conversation on 'shyster' at the moment of its inception and permits the unearthing of the detailed story behind this term; very briefly, 'shyster' arose as part of the editor's crusade against legal and political corruption in N.Y.C. and the attempts of the authorities to silence him. The present monography discusses the earlier unsuccessful attempts to find the term's etymology and then sets forth (and analyzes) the new material."

Sandy Apgar wrote recently that the second annual awards luncheon honoring the Class of 1962 Faculty Fellowship recipients for 1983 will be held on Friday, May 4, at 12:00 noon in the Hanover Inn. The 1983 Fellow is Assistant Professor Mark Packer of the philosophy department. The success of the 1962 Faculty Fellowship has stimulated interest among many of our classmates in finding another innovative way to serve the College. Sandy has been in touch with Dean Penner and President McLaughlin with regard to their ideas on special needs of the College that we might be able to meet as our 25th reunion gift. Any and all ideas are welcome.

I received a letter from Bob Watson '59, corporate advisor to Bones Gate/Delta Tau Delta, urgently requesting help so that the fraternity could continue as an independent brotherhood/facility. The cost estimate to. comply with the College's minimum standards is $76,000; if Bones Gate is unable to show ability to comply by the fall of 1984 it will have to enter into negotiations to sell the house to the College. I would appreciate hearing from other classmates who have undoubtedly received similar appeals from their fraternities.

I again urge the class to respond early and generously to the 70th anniversary Dartmouth Alumni Fund, with goals of $10.3 million and 70 percent participation.

If you haven't thought about dropping me a note for the column, why not do it now!

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