1945

This month we start out in Hanover, follow some of our mates to China, then return to the campus and the issue of the day. Recently The Dartmouth held a celebration marking its 200 th anniversary. Invited were former editors and other staffers who have since distinguished themselves in the media world. A panel on the time- ly topic "Will the Internet Own the News?" included Paul Gigot '77 and Susan Dentzer '77. The conclusion I heard was that, with so much investment going into on-line output, somebody has to remain devoted to the gathering, reporting, analyzing, and interpreting of the news input; this must still be the role of the print and broadcast media. Invited for the celebration was our own Frank Hutchins, former business manager of the Daily D. (He followed Joe Young in that position.) I saw him at the panel program. He was looking forward to a Dartmouth Alumni College trip to China with John Rassias this fall.

Steve and Jean Hull toured China earlier this year on what Steve calls a "Rhodes Scholar trip," with classes en route, seeing six cities. Steve says some of his Mandarin came back. Our east Asia specialist JohnHoldridge has appeared at least three times (I caught him once) on the PBS News Hourwith Jim Lehrer, offering commentary on China, and also on CNBC to discuss events in Indonesia. Susan Dentzer is now a correspondent on the Lehrer News Hour, and also, of course, a Dartmouth Trustee, co-chairing the student life steering committee. As you recall, the announcement and press treatment of this initiative back in February made it appear a fait accompli elimination of the Greek houses. I have letters from some especially thoughtful classmates taking exception to this dictated limitation of student freedom of choice. Evidently there was some difference between intent and press interpretation. Maybe too the intent has undergone change. Susan is now being quoted that the initiative meant "no promises either way about fraternities and sororities." This topic will get big treatment in the Sept. 17-19 Leadership Weekend and your class officers will be attentive. Perhaps the whole subject will be clearer by our Sept. 24-26 fall mini, when hosts Hinman and Hoots and all of us up here hope to greet you in record numbers.

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