1946

I want to write about "things" this time not about people. Two things: our 50th Reunion and the Alumni Fund. I'll take up the latter first, probably the one you wish I'd skip. Our money man, Tom Adams, asked me to and I feel obliged to comply.

In the 50th year classes try to do a little more. And let me hasten to say that we have always done a "little more." Some years back we had 71-percent participation. Tom tells me that's some sort of a record. The past few years we've been at 54 percent while the rest averaged 49 percent! Not bad. We've set a goal of $546,000. It'll take an extra effort but I ask that we dig down, make that goal, and beat the 71 percent. Then we can proudly say that 1946 is the class. Enough said.

Now for the 50th. The past several months I reminded you about it and asked you to come. I'm aware that some can't make it and some have told me that they just don't care to participate, and that too, for a variety of reasons. You've voiced various dissatisfactions to me when we've spoken, and I agree with some. I am not fully enchanted with some of the happenings at Hanover, but it's my College, your College. Some of you spent but a brief time at Dartmouth. We have a class of men who came in the summer of 1942, in the fall of 1942, and in the V-12 program. Many have never been back to Hanover. Many also went to other colleges after the war. But all of us at one time shared a unique experience—Dartmouth College. I didn't go back until the 25th, but since then I have returned about 30 times, for reunions, minireunion, and just plain visits. Why? Because I love Dartmouth and all it did for me, meant to me. When I visit I never fail to go to Richardson Hall, where I spent six semesters. I climb the hill where the "Old Pine" once stood; I walk through the Bema, down Tuck Drive to the river, and always sit on the Inn porch in the evening and enjoy the beauty of Baker Tower. Yes, Dartmouth has changed and so has Hanover. I marvel that more cars pass by the Inn corner in an hour than we would see in a month.

No matter how you fared at Dartmouth, what we did, what we learned, we shared a common experience. And most of all we made friends and shared times with them that I'm sure all remember. I'm not asking you to come back to see the College. Dartmouth's been there a long time and will be for a long time yet to come. Just come back, share old times and think what the College did for you, meant to you. You'll even have the best seats at the graduation ceremonies. There's even a rumor abroad in the land that you'll hear me speak at the main dinner. But please, don't let that scare you off.

Forgive me if I've been a bit nostalgic but wanted you to know how one '46er felt. See you in June.

1115 5th Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712

CLASS OF 1946 50™ REUNION