1952

At the farewell banquet of its 40th Reunion the class of 1952 presented a giant symbolic check for Dart mouth College to President James Freedman in the record amount of $1,000,052. Yes, one million and fifty-two dollars. The check was only symbolic since there were still two weeks in further contributions could be made.

The first 40th reunion class ever to raise over $1,000,000 for the Alumni Fund was somewhat awed by the fundraising success, pleased with the results, grateful to all the chairmen and agents who had worked to reach this record (far beyond both original and then increased goals), and aware that this is now a mark for future 40th reunion classes to beat.

athletic start for those interested, with an overnight stay at the Ravine Lodge Sunday night and a climb of Mt. Moosilauke the next morning, registration day. Earlier that Sunday, at Dartmouth's Commencement, Al Reich was given an honorary degree by his College. Al is the second '52 to be so honored, MarshMeyer being the first in a previous year.

The work of the class members who, with Alumni Affairs, created this reunion was rewarded not only with cooperative weather throughout the reunion, but also with the return of more people than could ever have been anticipated. Over 160 classmates, a record for a 40th reunion, registered. And almost 300 classmates, wives, widows, children, and friends were on hand for all or part of the celebration.

A golf tournament was run, tennis matches played, seminars and discussions held, lobsters and clams eaten at the DOC House. But the focus of return for many was a memorial service held in Rollins Chapel for the 83 classmates who will not ever be able to return again to this college, this town that so many others this year found their way to. Dick Ellis, WaltGrevatt, and Marsh Meyer led the service, and Marsh spoke movingly of "our passion for this place" and the friendships grown here, the memories of friends gone, and the thought of those who, five years from now, will not be seated in Rollins, but be on the list of those remembered.

So we talked: of retirement, of new careers, of grandchildren, of new wives, of travel, of friends missed. And we looked: at the green of the elms still left, at the white row of buildings, at the Georgian brick, at Baker Tower against the blue sky and glowing with its green light at night. And we thought: of our youth, of the times stringing along until this day, and of the passion that brought us back 40 years later.

Dartmouth had been good for those who returned; may it have been equally good for classmates not able, or not wishing, to go to Hanover in the spring of 1992.

Dwight F.Ketcham Jr.,P.O.Box 447, Wayne, PA 19087