1953
In these final weeks before our 30th reunion, I've been thinking about why I am going back. Thirty-one years ago this May, most of us were restlessly waiting to get away from undergraduate life; to get out of Hanover; and to get started on the next chapter the military, graduate studies, or a job. That anticipation overpowered any thoughts about those past four years being something special. Or that it had been an event which would take more precedence in our lives than many other events-that would involve a lot more time and energy. Then why the pilgrimage? Why the return?
Do you remember how John Dickey would outline his talks with the letter of the day? Allow me to use the letter. "P." Place. Purpose. People.
Surely the Place is special; the perfect setting for a college: a magnificent library, playing fields, nearby woods and hills and streams. It provided the right environment, but you can go back to visit that any time.
The man said our Purpose there was. learning. And we did. We learned from books, from professors, and from our own maturing awareness. We learned about life. We learned to ski. We didn't learn what to be, but we learned how to be. It was probably the most concentrated learning period in our lives. But that is rarely something to pay homage to.
No, I think it comes down to People. We came from different backgrounds. We left to pursue different goals. Our perceptions of Dartmouth before were probably as varied as they were afterward. But we had that shared experience which created the bond. Friends, teammates, and brothers that we had then, we have today. But the circle has enlarged over the years. As paths have crossed through new circumstances, old College acquaintances have become new close friends. Dartmouth doesn't just cast a spell; she is also a catalyst.
The world is a busy place these days. Most of us are near the peak of our careers. Some of us are still trying to figure out what to be when we grow up. All of us are running just to stay even. Throw in some volunteer work, trying to stay in shape, keeping in touch with a far-flung family, some reading - and there's little chance for much else. So I'm making the time to go back to reunion to renew and enjoy those enduring friendships. I think that People are the stuff of Dartmouth. The caring for each other is all entwined in the caring for the College. And I want to share in that.
Back in the middle of March, Dartmouth College literally came to southern California. The entire administration, led by President McLaughlin, spent two days in Newport Beach holding seminars, talks, and social activities. The events were nonstop, but our mini-reunion program established itself on the West Coast. Pete and Louise Reich held a class cocktail party in their room. Among those present were Susan and Dick Simpson,George Baird, Corinne and Allan Stover, Elton Clark and Karl Zimmerman. George is a certified financial planner. Elton is manager of a First Interstate branch; Pete sells industrial real estate; Dick is a radiologist; and Zim is a soil engineer.
Wayne Hansen has been named president of the corporate banking group of Financial American Network. The San Diego-based organization is a nationwide consortium of 35 savings banks and savings and loan institutions. The FAN network represents combined assets of more than $70 billion, available for investment, financing, and financial services. Wayne had been with Chase Manhattan Bank for nearly 30 years, spending the last ten as senior vice president.
Andy Sigler has been elected to the board of General Electric. Andy is chairman of Champion International Corporation, but also serves, as a director of Cabot Corporation and Chemical New York Corporation and is a member of the Business Roundtable.
Fred Whittemore has been appointed to the Board of Overseers of the Tuck School. Fred has spent his entire career with Morgan Stanley, where he is currently involved in international activities. He has been active in the Securities Industry Association; has served as governor and vice chairman of the American Stock Exchange; and is a former president of.the Bond Club. At present he is international president-elect of the Pacific Basin Economic Council and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Out in Toledo, Ohio, the scene has been one of typical Midwestern depression. But no more. Toledo is coming back and GeorgeHaigh is leading the charge. George is chairman and chief executive officer of Toledo Trust. He rallied his fellow business leaders to organize the public and private sectors of the community. The result is the development of a festive marketplace on the Maumee, fronting on the downtown area. Phase one of the SeaGate project was $130-millionheadquarter buildings for Toledo Trust and Owens-Illinois. Phase two is a $14.5-million Rouse shopping area known as Portside and a $27-million hotel. It will be reminiscent of similar developments in Boston and Baltimore. It can be done, and George helped make it happen.
Please don't forget the Alumni Fund. The College depends for more than ten percent of its budget on these contributions. The campaign is off to a good start, but we are behind in contributors. Please let us hear from you.
Sure looking forward to seeing everybody in a few weeks at our record-breaking 30th reunion June 11-14.
CLASSOF'53"STILLTOPS IN ÉSPRIT" 30th REUNION
23749 Stanford Road Shaker Heights, OH 44122
