Alumni Supporting Students

An every-Issue guide to staying in touch with Dartmouth

A hundred years ago a year's tuition at Dartmouth was about $100. Seems minuscule compared with today's $21,840. But 100 bucks in 18% was a lot of money to some students. So that year, a half-dozen Massachusetts alumni banded together and launched the Dartmouth Educational Association to loan money to undergraduates at risk, of dropping out for lack of funds. Today the D.E.A. annually lends upwards of $280,000 and has outstanding loans of nearly $1.8 million.

The D.E.A. loans are made only to students approved by the College's financial aid office and bear no interest until the student graduates. Once in a while the association has had to write off a loan, but most: borrowers successfully meet their obligations. In 1995 bad debt totaled a mere $1,958. All repaid loans and interest payments go into the general fund, to be loaned again to deserving candidates.

Who supports the D.E.A.? Some 1,470 members, pay annual membership dues or are life members; in 1997 dues will be $30 and life membership will be $375. Gratifyingly, more than few of today's members are yesterday's borrowers. No wonder President John Sloan Dickey '29 described the D.E.A. as "one of those things in die lite of the College which gets its strength from what we in America are fond of calling 'the grass roots"

This year the officers of the association Jonathan Strong '56, president; John Parker '58, vice president; Caleb Loring '66, treasurer; and Michael Fay '71, clerk have been actively seeking contributions to two special funds: the Centennial Fund ($100 to $199) and the Second Century Fund (over $200). All contributions are tax deductible. More information, including a booklet listing member donors and financials, can be obtained by calling Jon Strong at (617) 428-3351.

Strong roots.