1970

Our class has two recently-published authors in very different fields. Michael Dyer is an associate professor in the Department of Computer Sciences at UCLA. He has written a book entitled In-Depth Understanding: AComputer Model of Integrated Processing forNarrative Comprehension. The book describes a theory of memory representation, organization, and processing for understanding complex narrative texts. Mike's system is unique in that the program enables the computer to attempt to understand stories involv- ing emotions and in being able to deduce adages and morals in addition to being able to answer more routine factual questions about the narratives the computer has read. The

program seeks to achieve the interaction of knowledge as varied as goals, social roles, emotional reactions, and empathetic responses. Apparently the book makes several original technical contributions to the field in the process of constructing this system. This is really fantastic when you think about it. The book is published by MIT as part of its artificial intelligence series and was released in late fall of 1983.

Also fascinating is Dave Muller's new book entitled China as a Maritime Power. Dave's book is reportedly the first comprehensive study of the maritime aspects of China's power. In it he draws from extensive Chinese source materials and many recently de-classified U.S. intelligence reports. The book's focus is on China's rise in its sea power since 1945. The book recounts naval history, analyzes naval strategy, discusses the role of maritime economics, analyzes internal navy politics, and assesses China's maritime relations with foreign powers. The final chapter of the book discusses China's current status as a maritime power and its implications in the event of regional conflict. Our classmate is a lieutenant commander in the Navy who is assigned to the Office of Naval Intelligence in Washington, D.C. Dave has been a career naval officer since graduation and holds degrees in Asian and Chinese studies from both Dartmouth and the University of Michigan. His book was also published in the fall of 1983 and is part of the Westview Special Studies on East Asia Series.

In an entirely different realm, our Congressional representative, "Jock" McKernan, was the dinner speaker at the annual Lincoln Day Dinner in West Bath, Maine. The fete was hosted by the Lincoln County Republican Committee and was attended by Maine Senator William Cohen.

In other news, Mark P.Pfeiffer, who is now senior vice president and general counsel of Old Colony/Newport National Banks, has been appointed to head up the banking services group of that institution. Mark has also been named corporate secretary. You may recall that Mark, a resident of Bristol, R.I., was an attorney at Tillinghast, Collins and Graham prior to joining the bank and is a graduate of Cornell Law School.

I was delighted to have lunch with DickSammus recently to celebrate his being made a partner at Willkie, Farr and Gallagher, which has its principal offices in New York City. Dick specializes in municipal bond work. His wife Sally, for her part, is a vice president at Oppenheimer, also in New York City.

This is the time of year when I have the responsibility of reminding all of you about the Dartmouth Alumni Fund. Your support is vital. As a class we have really strengthened our commitment to Dartmouth over the last few years, but we usually end up behind other classes in our era so we still have a way to go. Please help by being as generous as you can on your own. You'll feel good about it and your help is really needed.

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