1947
This September issue is heralding the 228th convocation at Dartmouth College.This is a remarkable progression, when we realize that the birthday of these United States is eight years less, at 220. Imagine an historian's review of the diversity of circumstances, the types of students, their backgrounds and home lives, their outlooks, and needs for the future, as the years tumble from the 1790s, thru the 1800s and 1900s, up to the year 2000. Doesn't it boggle the mind to contemplate the advances in travel and electronic technology, even from our own entering day, to the convocation for the class of 2000?
This year will welcome the long awaited class of '00. What's in a name, or a number? I can well remember my own father, class of '9, speaking of the earlier class of "oughty ought." That was a new word to me then, and darned if it doesn't still sound like a new term being recycled every 96 years.
I hope that someone will write to help my memory, but I think our first convocation was in July 1943 and was more of a welcome to the V-12 navy and marine trainees, some 2,000 of them. The 300 plus civilian students were acknowledged, but as the book Hopkins of Dartmouth tells us, we were warned by President Hopkins to "conduct yourselves with the maturity and self discipline that is required of the trainees."
This was in July, and by September I can recall no official convocation. What I do recall was an entertainment gathering on the lawn at Baker Hall, with "Doc" Fielding '43, an all knowing, totally outgoing upper classman, leading us in cheers, singing, jokes, some snatches of drama, and lots of good fun. It was not your official convocation, but it was what we had, and was memorable to us. Seriously, when discussing convocation, I am always in mind of John Sloan Dickey's closing words to us, in other years. His words are as precious as the poems of Robert Frost.
"Gentlemen, as I have said before, as members of the College, you have three different but closely intertwined roles to play. "First, you are citizens of a community, and are expected to act as such. Second, you are the organic stuff of an institution, and what you are,it will be. Third, your business here is learning, and that is up to you. We'll be with you, and good luck."
Oh, that these words might ring for the class of '00, and well beyond.
This is a nostalgia column, but let's give a Wah Who Wah for:
Alan Epstein was one of two recipients, in May, of the Alumni Council's highest award, the Dartmouth Alumni Award, 1995-96.
Judge Fritz Alexander, appointed to a committee to review audio visual coverage in court proceedings, New York.
Roger Reynolds, retired from marketing jet engine parts, now listed in Who'sWho, in the Southwest. He's in Oklahoma.
Walter Peterson, retires as interim president, University of New Hampshire.
I want to remind us all of our October 18-19 mini reunion. We'll be reviewing and refining our plans to convene and celebrate our class 50th next June 6,7,8 in Hanover. It's our turn; we are the 50 year class. So get a jump on our class occasions by joining the group, in about six weeks, by calling the Norwich Inn and telling Sally you want a room (802-649-1143). This is Dartmouth Night, and a Yale football game follows.
63 Maple Ave., Keene, NH 03431-1629
Alan Epstein '47 honored, p. 60
