As we all know it was a long "hot" winter in Hanover. Various media devoted a great deal of attention to the trials and tribulations of Dave McLaughlin and the problems involved in dealing with the various constituencies of a college community. While we are all individuals and are entitled to have our own thoughts as to the governance of the college, I think we also all know what a fine, capable, and humane individual Dave Mc-Laughlin is. I would hope that the class of '54 will turn out in impressive numbers as Dave makes his spring swing of the alumni clubs. His speaking schedule is as follows: Philadelphia, April 15; Washington, April 16; Boston, May 7; Chicago, May 13; and Minneapolis, May 14.
Pete Bullis continues to successfully juggle two careers: music and architecture. As you all know, Pete has for years been involved in his first love as a master musician with the New Black Eagle Jazz Band. The band, which has an international reputation, is made up of practicing professionals and business people who just love jazz music. What many of you may not know is that Peter has also been engaged in the practice of architecture these many years both with his own firm and as a consultant to other firms. In January of this year Peter was appointed an associate of the firm of Notter, Feingold, and Alexander of Boston and Washington. The firm has a nationwide reputation in the field of rehabilitation and preservation of historic structures, as well as being highly regarded in the general field of architecture. Peter has been associated on a consulting basis with the firm for some time.
A recent article in Crane's Cleveland Business''listing of top privately-held companies in the business area included Austin Powder Company of which DaveGleason is president. Austin is a leading manufacturer of explosives with estimated sales of more than $100 million. Crane's rates Dave's company as the 21st largest privately-held company in the Cleveland area. Dave is one person who can say that his work is really "a blast"!
No column would be complete without some correspondence from John Gillespie. We all know that John's influence is worldwide when it comes to '54 alumni affairs. Now he is even peddling souvenirs in Australia. In response to a request from Irwin Herrman, John sent Irwin a '54 tie all the way to Australia where Irwin may be the only possessor of that particular bit of haberdashery on the continent.
John also wrote to tell me that a large number of our classmates were scheduled to be in Hanover for the first Alumni Winter Weekend over Washington's birthday. Included in the list of '54s returning to Hanover for fun and games were Mr.and Mrs. Wayne Weil, Mr. and Mrs.Harry Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. LyonGreenberg, Mr. and Mrs. David Fitch,Mr. and Mrs. John Gillespie, Mr. andMrs. Richard Page, Mr. and Mrs. William White, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Berlin,Mr. and Mrs. Frederic Hartman, Mr. andMrs. John Pope, Mr. and Mrs. BruceMaclvor, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dean, and, of course, the perennial '54 hosts on the Dartmouth campus, Mr. and Mrs.John Heston. Since this column is being written right after that weekend, I haven't yet had a report on it, but I assume that with a group like that it must have been a super weekend. Another mini-reunion gets recorded for the class of '54.
I received an interesting biographical summary from the State Department on Dick Krimm. Dick is assistant associate director for the Office of Natural and Technological Hazards in the Federal Emergency Management Agency. His office is responsible for preparing the plans for natural hazards such as earthquakes, hurricanes, mud slides, and erosion and dam safety. The office also deals with a variety of technological hazards including radiological emergency planning and hazardous materials. Dick has obviously been involved in the United States' effort to aid Mexico through its recent earthquake disaster. Dick has been with the federal government since 1970 after serving as director of the Rating Bureau and a deputy commissioner of the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. After eight years with the Federal Insurance Administration as assistant administrator for flood insurance and playing an active role in drafting legislation for the Flood Disaster Protection Act in 1972, Dick moved on to the Federal Emergency Management Agency where he continues to serve not only the United States but mankind.
When the middle of April begins to roll around, I know that you expect to hear repeatedly about the Alumni Fund. Therefore, I won't disappoint you. When this column was written, the Fund was off to a strong start. But the results are not measured by how it starts but by how it finishes. The class of '54 holds many leadership positions within the college community, both within the administration and in alumni affairs. The class has also been a leader in Alumni Fund giving. We are unique in providing leadership to the College in both areas. I would expect that the class will continue to exercise that leadership and that we can look forward to continuing and growing support for the Alumni Fund this year.
As long as I am making one appeal, I should make another. I appeal to you for news. Won't you please sit down and write a short note about what you are doing, what you would like to be doing, or have been caught doing. I promise to tell all!
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