1947

Class Head Agent Henry Brezinski is again planning ahead for next year's Alumni Fund Drive a never-ending job, just as education is a never-ending job. (We're thankful for such jobs, as many are not, these days.) Hank and his crew reached 94 percent of dollar objective and 58 percent participation of the class, where the College average was 60 percent. He is hoping to catch the plus-6 percent and the plus-2 percent next year.

Our thanks to Hank's coordintors: BobHuffman, in Pasadena; Andy McCulloch and Frank Weber in Connecticut; JoanHarris, in Vermont; and Dr. Bob Berry in Easton, Conn.

How important is their work? Retiring Harvard President Derek Bok says American Universities are failing to provide the scholarship and leadership needed to solve society's most pressing problems. After two decades on the job, I'a guess he has some insight. Two vitally important contributions from alumni are money and spirit, in either order. Money is not everything but it helps pave the road. Spirit, contacts, effort, time—all of these can help push society in the proper direction.

President Bok cites problem areas he sees: R&D grants have dropped; graduate schools of education at large universities rank low, with resulting low salaries and professional esteem; schools of social work are neglected as poor step-children, in spite of drag, poverty, homelessness and other chronic social problems; American colleges have made little headway training students in foreign languages and cultures whereas foreign students comprise 50 percent of engineering and computer Ph.D. candidates (the number of foreign students here is six times that of American students sent abroad); and federal funding fluctuates too widely to allow building a strong base of R&D and teaching. The basic problems facing society all rank low on a list of priorities of the modern university.

This is food for much thought on our part, as we share the hopes ana visions of our College. As to the above comments by Bok, I personally see this in Hanover particularly the influx of foreign students, the low funding, and the scant attention to some of our most basic community problems.

And here's news from Bud Nossiter in New York City. His latest book, Fat Yearsand Lean: The American Economy Since Roosevelt, has been published by Harper & Row. John Kenneth Galbraith says it is "a really good history of the larger economic policy over the last fifty years." Required reading for our 45th Reunion next June.

Dr. Lee Bartholomew has been added to the Moses -Ludington Hospital staff in Ticonderoga, N.Y. Lee has served as chief of Rheumatology at Albany Medical Center, 1971-86, and is a consultant for hospitals in Elizabethtown and Albany. This is the beautiful upstate region great for camping and canoeing. We welcome news from that lovely region.

On the West Coast, Joe Eisaman reports that his Chicago office has added Beefeater gin to its Hiram Walker account they picked up Canadian Club and Teachers Scotch earlier this summer. Do what you can to help, Joe. He also sent a picture of an old-timer playing Softball. It sounds to me as though Joe is still a player, besides being a sponsor.

Rear Admiral Sam Packer broke "radio silence" to advise that even though he retired in 1983, he continues to work, and will forever. He and Peggy have six grandchildren, from their own five, and they also have a dog and a parrot. What sailor doesn't have a parrot?

Keep the cards and letters flying see you soon.

63 Maple Avenue, Keene, NH 03431