1932

Box 286 Grantham, NH 03753

Brasses blared a stirring introduction, then launched into a familiar tune billed as "Rondo" by Mouret. Nobody was fooled. It was the introduction to Alastair Cooke on "Masterpiece Theater." Through an alley of flags the academic procession approached the platform at Baker. The audience rose to honor the dignitaries. Consequently your scribe saw little of the procession, but never mind. The glory was almost palpable. Honored guests were introduced. The governor extended greetings. The president of the New York Public Library extolled to the skies the gentleman whom everyone had come to hear. (Surely nobody can be that perfect I thought.) A poet of national fame read verses composed for the occasion. In a solemn moment the retiring president removed the Flude medal and hung it around the neck of his successor. Thus passed the Wheelock succession to James O. Freedman, 15th president of Dartmouth College.

Again the brasses in "Fanfare for a New President," composed by a member of the music department. Did I detect an homage to "Men of Dartmouth" among the themes? At length the climax: President Freedman's address to the audience, the faculty, the alumni, the students, you name it. There was something for everyone, and all of it good. At least twice he was interrupted by applause. (I guess somebody can be that perfect.)

Lest the old traditions fail we stood and sang "The Alma Mater." Two versions were printed in the program—take your choice. Only nine words had been changed for the unisex version. "Not a bad compromise," I thought. "I won't be ostracized for singing the words as Hovey wrote them."

Dottie and Howdy Pierpont were on hand. So were Alice and John Zimmerman. After lunch Charlotte and I ran into Pat andNate Pearson, whom we must have missed at the Bema reception. You were at the inauguration, weren't you, Nate?

Ruth and Irv Kramer and I represented 1932 at Alumni College in August. The lecturers are always tops, but I especially like the novelty of hearing from a female professor like Nancy Grant. Incidentally, who was the first woman faculty member at Dartmouth? Any guesses as to what she taught? See next month's column.