LETTERS

Learning Curves

Concerning "What Makes a Person Educated?" [March], liberal education must seek to foster the following intellectual virtues: (1) The ability to discriminate between the beautiful and the base. (2) The ability to discriminate between the just and unjust. (3) The ability to discriminate between what in human Being is natural (essential) and what is historically conditioned (existential). (4) The ability to discriminate between fundamental and non-fundamental questions.

Such a list emphasizes that right reason is a matter of discrimination or discernment; complete human virtue, of course, also requires the possession of a good will to act upon such judgements. The fourth ability in my list is perhaps the key to liberal education, and it is here that we have failed, and continue to fail, most conspicuously.

Somerville, Massachusetts

It was with great pleasure that I lighted upon the wisdom and expressive portraits of several much-beloved mentors from my Dartmouth years.

Having just accepted an assistant professorship in French at Bates College, I can attribute much of my happiness and enthusiasm in the profession to John Rassias, who ceaselessly encouraged and valorized my vocation during an era far more appreciative of doctors, lawyers, and bankers.

Of equal impact, however, was the rewarding time I spent in the presence of Faith Dunne, whose witty, practical, and compassionate advice in your column brought back wonderful memories of her razor-sharp intellect and warm humanity. Indeed, to this minute I imagine her tearing apart an article, a paragraph, a word to insist on my clarity, honesty, and convincibility. Though Professor Dunne, to my knowledge, has not spent time with Johnny Carson or Morley Safer, she is cherished beyond measure by legions of ex-Ed students out in the world for exposing "covert curricula" and the non-existent "free lunch in America."

Princeton, New Jersey

Sorry to read in your "Steady Course" recap of the passing of English 42, "Social Backgrounds of English Lit. " Pity.

When I took the course it was a lively sketch of—and in retrospect my only lifelong exposure to—Beowulf, King Alfred, and the mists of the centuries before Chaucer. The prof was Kenneth Robinson, who coupled a somewhat nasal voice with an occasional stammer. Ah, but he was a wizard lecturer who wove magic spells about our cultural origins.

A memory lingers of Robinson's steamroller lectures in American theater. In late May 1940, when The Times and the Herald Trib greeted us each day with news of the crumbling lines in France—one of our class was already in action—in that deadly hour, right after lunch on a warm, bright afternoon, Robinson spun his account of how David Belasco introduced realism into the American theater. Robinson's captivating detail, without slides or video, was punctuated only with occasional dry humor.

At the end of the hour (it was not our final meeting), the entire classthere must have been 75 or 85 men in 105 Dartmouth—stood and gave him an uproarious clapping acclaim. A few in the back let out piercing whistles. An inordinately shy man, he didn't respond very well. He simply nodded a few times and blushed crimson like a young girl. Our applause, I suppose, was intended to recognize his ability and his commitment to his subject; in retrospect, I concede we also were acknowledging his professional stature in refusing to give in to what he knew were our gut distractions. He gave us a grand moment.

Austin, Texas

The March issue seems to have hit alode of memories about"grand, moments"of teaching. Would you like to see more?Send us your own best professorial anecdotes; if we get enough we might run themas a feature in afuture issue.—Ed.

I should like to add a supplementary detail, but I think not an unimportant one, to Dean James Wright's description of the "common experience" of Dartmouth students of my day. He writes, "The common experience for this generation of Dartmouth students was English 1-2—introductory freshman courses."

He does not mention, however, that there was an alternative to English 12 for selected students who were admitted to a special humanities course which introduced them to art, literature, and music over a broad range in eras. Rich in cultural experience, it went well beyond a merely utilitarian discipline in writing. Such a course might serve a need for "common experience" for today's Dartmouth freshmen rather than inviting them to choose something from the academic supermarket shelves.

Centerville, Massachusetts

The March issue was outstanding. I particularly enjoyed Dean James Wright's article and Editor Jay Heinrichs's comments. It is no secret that alumni are concerned about the high cost of college, especially in the private sector.

The overview of the curriculum is a good first step, and we hope you will keep us informed.

Bridgewater, Massachusetts

Detail Man

I was greatly saddened to read of Professor Christopher Reed's death after a long struggle against cancer. As a freshman in 1983, I took general biology with professors Reed and Thomas Roos. Roos lectured on a global scale, with poems about "Genus Amphioxus." Reed was more the detail man, with the left blackboard reserved for his 26-point outline of the day's lecture. We all felt lucky to be instructed by such a diverse team.

Today, I can still remember the brave image of Professor Reed striding through the aisles of the Medical School library, working to the last. My only regret, as I study at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, is that I never was able to take Professor Reed's famous course in electron microscopy.

New York, New York

Bottom Lines

Sad...sad...sad... As I read with frustration and outrage of the massive 1990-91 Athletic Council budget cut, the word "sad" enters my mind.

I am sad for Dartmouth, for Dartmouth's total liberal arts commitment, for Dartmouth's athletic tradition, for the grossly underpaid coaches, and for the topnotch DCAC personnel. Mostly, however, I am sad for the Dartmouth undergraduates who will bear the brunt of the budget cuts. I cannot imagine a more direct blow to the "Dartmouth experience."

Let me be clear: I in no way advocate a change in course from Dartmouth's primary commitment to helping a student grow intellectually. Athletics or recreation must come second or third in this scenario. However, we must recognize the role athletics and recreation play in the liberal arts education. Athletics are fundamental to helping build integrity, character, discipline, and teamwork skills. President Freedman's action to limit the opportunity for the majority of Dartmouth students to compete at the junior-varsity level or in physical-education classes fundamentally contradicts Dartmouth's responsibility to develop the whole mind and total spirit of a student.

It's painfully clear that the DCAC budget cuts are consistent with President Freedman's track record at Dartmouth. When will he realize that Dartmouth is a unique institution and so highly regarded because of the complete education it offers—superior academics, wide-ranging facilities, wealth of outdoor activities, and broadly available athletic opportunities?

Cincinnati, Ohio

As a senior college administrator I read with some concern and compassion about the budgetary problems and potential cutbacks at Dartmouth. Coincidentally, however, on the day after the February issue arrived, the Wall Street Journal published an article stating that "Dartmouth trims its [teaching load] requirement to four courses a year from five."

I wonder how one equates a 20percent reduction in teaching productivity with responsible budget management, particularly when programs and people are in jeopardy.

Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania

Although individual departments in theArts & Sciences have reduced their professors' teaching loads, the change has notoccurred College-wide.—Ed.

Compulsory Moosilauke

I'm still puzzled by the debate about Dartmouth's future and the quest for diversity. I'm for all the diversity one can divine and feel it's part of the College's birthright to do all it can to lead the way into the future.

But aren't we forgetting something of our heritage? Shouldn't we, every day in every way, be shouting and thumping about those incomparable assets that make us so unique—and, I'd say, better than most other institutions—namely, our special location in and identity with the outdoors? The Outing Club, Freshman Trips, the Ledyard Canoe Club, Ravine Lodge, and the College Grant are jewels in our crown. How can we compromise or water down those priceless blessings? Change Freshman Trips or close the Skiway? You might as well eliminate the Chemistry Department.

And now I read that our planners are ever-so-unwisely, in my opinion, thinking of doing away with the physical-education requirement. What's going on? Didn't any of our 14 Trustees ever hike in the White Mountains or learn to ski in Hanover? What could be more Dartmouth than a year of PE or a couple of days of compulsory Moosilauke?

Cornish Flat, New Hampshire

Yes, You May

May I compliment you on the graphics of the"new" alumni magazine? Great look. Easier reading. Lots of good positioning for advertisers.

Los Angeles, California

Blood, Sweat and Chlorine

Your brief picture story about the Spaulding Pool ["An Elegant Backwater," March] brought back many fond memories.

Few people know that Spaulding was the first college pool in America to allow indoor kayak training—thus starting a trend that within a few years became a common practice in college pools and elsewhere throughout the country.

My favorite memory involves a brash young Dartmouth freshman who had never kayaked before but who expressed a desire to make the U.S. Whitewater Team and compete at the world championships the next spring. No one up to that time had ever made the team during their first year of competitive boating, and I'm sure it hasn't happened since.

Twice a week we met in Spaulding for two hours from October through March, acquiring the fundamentals. The workouts were brutal. More than once, blood flowed into that pool. When the team trials came late in the spring, the Spaulding-trained boater just barely managed to place third in the qualifying race which sent him to Switzerland and the world's.

This lad, just about the hardestworking athlete I've ever known, was Doug Peterson '75. The ski world remembers him better as an Olympic cross-country skier and later as a coach.

But it all started in Spaulding.

Etna, New Hampshire

Mr. Evans is a former Ledyard advisor.He was the U.S. Olympic kayak coach in1972.—Ed.

Trend Bucker

I feel compelled to comment upon Heather Killebrew's article, "Fresh Heirs" [November], Realizing that stories about the Outing Club are not always appealing to the generic reader, I feel that Ms. Killebrew is fixated on the alcohol issue. There is constant documentation through her copy that "It's not like the bad old days." I am from those days, and while the campus mindset toward alcohol was very free, the DOC is the last place anyone would have gone for a beer.

In regard to a "distinct sub-culture" with dress, rituals, etc., Cabin & Trail members dressed in L.L. Bean shirts and green wool pants from time to time in the fifties because that likely was the way they dressed at home, while hunting or in the woodlot. Not a few of them didn't know how to use a chainsaw, not because they came from an affluent suburb but because their grandfathers knew that the way to cut wood was and always would be with a bucksaw.

C&T is certainly part of the heritage of Dartmouth, and Ms. Killehrew does a marvelous job of presenting that. We all need to be reminded, however, that not too far from Hanover in any direction there are still men making a living in the woods. They are not concerned with ambience, or with who they are, but with making a living while harvesting a resource.

Portland, Maine

The March issue showed a lot of spine,according to readers. Many respondedwith memories of their own profs.

ERRATUM: We mistakenly gave creditto Ned Gillette for a photo of Ned Gilletteon page 23 of the April issue. Proper creditbelongs to Galen Rowell, author/photographer of such books as Mountain Light.