1949

Adapted here are the Gold Pick Axe award citations presented at the mini. Mark Landsburgh '88, along with wife Heidi, accepted for his father.

Mark Landsburgh: It's tempting to call him a pre-Renaissance man, because one of his greatest interests lies in things medieval: early manuscripts, relics of the Crusades, illuminations from the Dark Ages. But scratch the "pre"—Mark is a true Renaissance man. For years he has traveled the world, photographing and collecting and lecturing about artifacts. His photographs are in the National Gallery's archives and the Getty Museum. He's given away some of his collection to Dartmouth and to other institutions. He's lectured at UCLA, Stanford, Williams, and Wesleyan, and been on the faculty at Colorado College and the University of California Santa Barbara.

Mark grew up in Washington, D.C., and was an Eagle Scout. He joined the Army Air Force at 18 and became a flight lieutenant. At Dartmouth he was a Beta and majored in English and graphic arts. From Ray Nash he learned how to set type and print and bind his own book of poetry—his poetry. He developed a friendship with Robert Frost, who later wrote to him: "I have your little book in one of the places where I live."

At Dartmouth Mark also operated his own ad agency, designed a Winter Carnival poster, and "volunteered at Mary Hitchcock. Since then Mark has sired three offspring: Ann, Mark III '77, and Matthew '88.

Mark's own philosophy is evident in quotes from his letters: "Life is short and we must be kind to each other."

"Don't let stuff pile up in the garages of your life."

And finally, "To do is easy, just get a taller ladder and brighter paint. To give is the choice, the ever-trying choice." Well, we're glad Mark Lansburgh has given us the chance to know him and we're proud that he is our classmate.

Peter Brown: It's possible that your life before Dartmouth in Milford, Conn., where you spent your summers as a paper boy, factory worker, and farm laborer, better prepared you for the future than your life at Dartmouth, where you hung out at the frat and sang in the Glee Club. All we know is that your life after Dartmouth has been full of service to others and distinction in career.

The College is particularly grateful for your spectacular success as a Thayer School overseer and chairman of the board from 1984 to 1986. There you chaired the successful $25-million expansion campaign. Fittingly, in 1988 you were the recipient of Thayer's highest honor, the Robert Fletcher Award for "common sense, good original ability, high attainment, organizing power, good moral tone and a gentlemanly bearing."

Perhaps your "organizing power" and "gentlemanly bearing" have propelled you to advanced degrees in engineering and business, to a pilot's license, to being a violinist, a rear admiral, and chairman of your own civil engineering firm employing 300 people, to trusteeships, directorships, and presidencies of schools, civic organizations, and financial firms, and—of special note—to the chairmanship of the development council of the National Research Institute in your home community of Clearwater, Fla.

Your "common sense" is so clearly demonstrated in your marriage last April to Marina. We share her pride and that of your children and friends.

3413 Highlands Bridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34235