1947

Dartmouth '47 Reunion 40! The words ring out like a chant. But we're too old to go around chanting slogans, or snaking in columns around the campus Green, or dragging signs up and down a football field. We'd feel self-concious, unsure of acceptance by others, or we'd just seem out of place.

But I'm sure we all can recall the enthusiasm, the exuberance, and excitement we did feel 44 years ago, with our goals all before us, as we stood on campus and watched Dartmouth traditions and lore unfold before us. New names, new experiences, new growth: I think that must have been a time of maximum wonderment.

I think one of those exciting times is about to happen our 40th reunion, June 15-18, 1987. It can happen for each of us if we help it. The boy is still inside, along with the manly wisdom and experience. Come share it all together; the ingredients are all in place and we can promise remembrances, traditions, songs, socializing; we can promise a living, growing, personal Dartmouth, with its own ups and downs, waiting to celebrate with you.

My last few columns have dealt with President John Sloan Dickey and President Ernest Martin Hopkins, their books, their teachings, their leadership.

I'd like to share what I've learned about another Dartmouth president.

President David McLaughlin blazed through Dartmouth, a top scholar, a gutsy athlete. He blazed through the business world, as well, to the top. And on the way up, he never failed to reserve time and talent for Dartmouth in area club and class activities, then as a committee worker, then as a Trustee. He worked through all the chairs, and became a logical choice to be 14th president of his college.

What follows is brief excerpts of what I have been told, by others who should know, and by David, in conversation, not as information. It was said David Mc- Laughlin jotted down for himself, prior to his term, a list of priority items to receive his attention. He and Judy had sent two children through Dartmouth, another was following, and through closeness to their experience he determined to improve some of the outdated facilities he saw he referred to it as improving the quality of life at Dartmouth. As he leaves for other pursuits of his choice, there is no doubt he fulfilled a role and will leave a vastly improved facility as his legacy for his six years.

Thayer Dining Hall has been modernized, streamlined, the service and menu diversified and improved; the fraternites have taken an unbelievable turn up, and fraternity activities are in a higher plane accordingly; the Medical School has grown, been adequately funded and accredited; the cluster concept for all dormitories has been designed and completed, to provide dining, socializing, and study or private time, space for students; a new athletic facility is rising; several new dorms are in use; the Hood Museum in thriving. These accomplishments are tremendous.

Probably the greatest of all will have to wait for history to unfold; the moving of the hospital to provide more space for a larger more modern hospital facility, moving the snarl of traffic, and a bold stroke to gain future space for the College. This is reminiscent of Hopkins's bold foresight.

Now for a personal story. In Keene, over the Christmas holidays, we held our 75th annual meeting, with president Mc- Laughlin as guest speaker. It was a splendid, enjoyable affair, in its traditional simplicity, friendliness, and spirit. I inquired about John Dickey. David had visited him just a day or two earlier and several times in November and October. "How is Mr. Dickey?" we asked, and were told, "About the same." Then David Mc- Laughlin, to spell out more about Mr. Dickey, told this story so we would know what "About the same" stood for for J.S.D. David picked up Mr. Dickey one September afternoon, and it being a fine day, they decided to ride down and watch football practice on Chase Field. John Dickey wore his favorite '29 hat, and they set him up on a sideline wheelchair. He beamed at the boys at practice. After a while, the two cocaptains came over and said how nice it was to see two Dartmouth presidents at the practice. Mr. Dickey beamed and nodded. Then one of them said, "Mr. President, we've prepared something we'd like to show you." And with a beckoning, there soon were 70-odd dirty players assembled before the presidents. The team sang, "Men of Dartmouth." John Dickey beamed and smiled, and in a bit of a struggle worked his fingers to his head, and tugged off his '29 hat. He smiled and then the tears rolled down.

That's how we know how John Dickey is. That's how we know how the football team is, how Joe Yukica is, and especially how President David McLaughlin is.

What can you say about a man who has given time and caring to Dartmouth as its 14th President, and who wants to do other things, and let other leaders do their part? What comes to my mind is, "Thanks, Dave, God speed and good luck; and see you at Reunion."

1947'S40JUNE 15TH-18TH 1987

63 Maple Avenue Keene, NH 03431