1956

The results of the 1994 Alumni Fund are in, and they are sensational. For the first time alumni raised more than $13 million, and a new record was set for the third straight year! A total of $13,916,036 in cash and pledges was raised from 22,936 alumni representing 55.8-percent participation. Four reunion records and 11 non-reunion records were set by classes from 1925 to 1988. Once again the finest group of alumni in the world did not let the well go dry. Dartmouth is sustained by this fund and the feeling of support that it lends to the College. Participation and dollars are equally important in continuing our fine tradition of strong alumni support.

I wish that I could brag about our class's part in this fund drive, but such is not the case. Classes are divided into competitive groups for the posting of results, and 1956 finished dead last in our group of five classes; if this were a horse race, we would still be on the backstretch with the other four horses in the barn. We weren't just last, we were drubbed. Our participation was 53 percent (next lowest was 64 percent), and our dollars were $110,766 (next lowest was $151,518). The 1956 contribution represents a mere 0.8 percent of the total raised by the 1994 Alumni Fund. By contrast, the class of 1944 raised $1,472,115, or 11 percent of the total. Ab Oakes and crew did a noteworthy job trying to raise more money, but response was not good. Ab deserved better support than he got from us, and, ultimately, so did the College.

Henry Pratt is associate provost and professor of political science at Wayne State University in Detroit. He has been studying the politics of aging for 20 years, and his findings are contained in his book Gray Agendas from the University of Michigan Press. Maybe Hank will hold forth on his subject at our upcoming 40th.

Frank Strong has been named head of the trustees of Keuka College in Keuka Park, N.Y., and Jack Tamagni has been elected a trustee of Overlook Hospital in Summit, N.J. Leo McKenna has been inducted into the Concord (Mass.) High School Hall of Fame as the only living quarterback of its undefeated football teams who is now a Vermont Farmer. Win Bridge, Bob Dumont, and Line Spaulding attended his induction, as did Cube in spirit.

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