1955

This column comes to you from the ancient Chinese capital of Xi An, where I am having a weekend break from Conference Board business in China. Xi An is famous for the thousands of life-sized terra-cotta warriors entombed 2,200 years ago with the first emperor of China, and they are indeed an astonishing sight, both in their huge numbers and in the detail of each individually unique figure.

The good news to report is the presentation of the Class of '55 awards at last October's annual Homecoming Weekend dinner to Jere Daniell and PeterThompson. Congratulations to two truly deserving recipients!

Ken Lundstrom, illustrious scribe of our Chicago mini-reunion last June, adds a tantalizing footnote to the event: it seems that while there, Jere and Elena Daniell saw smoke curling from the street-level display window of the Gucci store on North Michigan Avenue Sunday morning,

quickly alerted security, and stood by while the Chicago fire department arrived on the scene to effectively do its job. The obvious headline, adds Ken, is: "Alert Dartmouth Prof Prevents Second Chicago Fire!"

Ken, whose new e-mail address is and who is already busy as chairman of our 45th (12-15 June 2000), relates that wife Kathryn—of 40 years— recently retired as head of a small private school after 32-plus years in "the learning business," and that in recognition of her outstanding achievements, the school's scholarship fund and its outstanding student award were named for her. A singular honor indeed! Ken also reports meeting with George Snelson in Tucson, whom he finds mostly retired from his construction business but with time to participate in local activities. Class treasurer Ralph Sautter thoughtfully passes on three pieces of news received with welcome dues payments:

John Braestrup writes that he is among those with pre-Dartmouth aged children, his being 14 and 11 years old, and adds: "so hold that scholarship money for the late bloomers!!"

Peter Robinson, from Paris, says that he is impressed by Jim Wright's appointment as President and adds laconically: "Now let's see if he follows the Wheelock succession or the Freedman succession!"

Jen Venman, from Sanford, Mich., Writes that he had a good summer as a semiretiree (lots of sun and heat) and that he is still doing some legal work for his firm back in Connecticut, "though it is tapering off."

In a plain envelope postmarked San Francisco, a classmate (whose name I cannot read!) sends interesting news about Don Hummel, one of our most accomplished golfers: "Just read that he recently set the course record, shooting a 62 at a course in Michigan. The article mentioned that this is the second course record he holds as well as holding the low amateur round on any course in the Chicago district. Despite this, he claims his game isn't what it used to be—he used to shoot his I.Q. (low) but is shooting his weight (high). This guy must be very skinny!"

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Religious context by Jere Daniell '55, p. 34