Coming of Age in Hanover

Before becoming one of Dartmouth's most loyal alums, Larry Leavitt '25 proved a most faithful son.

Laurence Leavitt wrote home every week during his four years at Dartmouth. His family saved his letters, and later, Leavitt kept them neatly folded in a small wooden box along with programs from each of the Dartmouth football games he had played. Shortly before his death on November 29,2000, he welcomed DAM into his Norwich, Vermont, home to pore over the 123 handwritten letters he had dutifully sent to his parents in Wollasten, Massachusetts. Those letters, some of which are excerpted here, document a young mans rise into adulthood. They demonstrate something else as well: The Dartmouth experience of 75 years ago isn't entirely different from todays.

FRESHMAN YEAR, 1921-1922

September 19,1921: Dearest Mother, Arrived safely after a pleasant trip up. Have met a bunch of fellows. Trunks haven't arrived as yet. Probably will have to sleep in our clothes. Had a free feed in Commons tonight. Love to all, Larry

September 21: "What a job we had registering yesterday! So crowded in the morning we went in the afternoon and then had to wait for two and a half hours. We bought our Freshman caps1 last night but don't have to wear them until Friday. Great regrets, they cost $1 per. So far I've been lucky enough not to have to work for some upperclassman.

September 30: Please excuse the pencil, but I can write much faster with one and time counts up here. Every day is a rush. Up at 6:15, work" for breakast, then classes, football, study and bed.

College studies are so different from high school, and I find it pretty hard. The only studies I mind are chemistry and evolution. They are both lecture courses and there are about 100 in each class. So far we have had evolution three times and we don't know any more about it now.

October if: We beat Springfield Y.M.C. A. seconds this afternoon 28 to O. It was my first experience playing football before a Dartmouth crowd. It was great to hear the Dartmouth cheer with "Freshmen" tacked on the end of it. There were considerable girls in town today, and it surely makes a fellow feel rotten seeing the lucky fellows with the girls. Imagine not speaking to a girl since I left Wollaston. It's a tough life but I suppose you appreciate them more when you go home.

October 22:I'm about crazy with studying. Themes, reports, quizzes, everyhing. I was told by the evolution instructor that I was only standing D+. That course is awful. I suffer trying to keep awake during the lecture.

Oh, will Thanksgiving never come? All the Freshmen are counting the days and some have got it down to hours.

October 29: The Syracuse game is all over. We won 17 to 14, and believe me it was some game. I received my first Dartmouth cheer today: "Da, da Dartmouth Leavitt." It sounded great.

December3:I was measured for my football sweater yesterday. They are going to be peachy. Green sweater, ring neck, and white 1925 knitted into them. Just think, my first sweater.

Today we had to put on our Freshman winter toques. Seventy-five cents gone but I believe they are really worth it. They are made of green jersey with a white, fluffy tassel on top. They sit on the back of your head and no wind can blow them off. They can very nicely be worn for skating caps.

January 3,1922: Just arrived. How I hated to leave. All the fellows feel the same way.

January 14: With mid years coming next week I need encouragement. According to the evolution instructor I'm just passing. What I've learned in high school about English, much of it has been all wrong, according to the instructor. When I tell him I try hard to get a good mark, he says it's my tough luck that I wasn't prepared according to his way.

January 28: Three exams out of the way. French yesterday and physical education and trig today. Guess I passed them all but didn't do especially well. If we don't get a little warmer weather soon, I'll pass away. Our rooms don't really get comfortable until the middle of the afternoon. It is hard to study in a cold room. It was so cold the other night that water in our "can" was partly ice, and our pipes were frozen. Didn't have any water until the middle of the p.m. Me for a fireplace next year. We got our sweaters last week. The sweaters themselves are great but the knitting of the numerals is poor. Had them sent back to be fixed a bit. You should see me in my sweater. Oh boy!

Februarys Rushing started this afternoon. I received 13 invitations, and you can imagine the job I had thinning it down to Phi Sig, Phi Psi, Phi Gamma, Theta Delta, Beta.

February 13: The grand Carnival is all over, and everyone seemed to have a great time. I've never seen so many girls and so many different costumes. The ski jumping was wonderful. This was the first time I've ever seen anyone turn a somersault. Skis were broken right and left, and one fellow dislocated his elbow. I don't believe I'll ever go off the new jump.

February 21: After considerable thought, I chose Phi Kappa Psi. Last night I had to appear before the fraternity court. I never received such a paddling before. All of us Freshmen got it.

March 17: At eight o'clock last evening, I appeared at the House dressed in old clothes. It was about 15 degrees below freezing. I received my instructions. "Go down the road to the 'Junk,' take the road to Wilder, count the number of uprights on the bridge, mail a card at the Wilder post office, go down to the railroad station at Wilder, and count the ties from Wilder to the bridge just before the Hanover station, then report at the house." I started out at 9:00. It was very dark and the walking was bad. I met a Freshman, who also was counting the ties. I finally reached Hanover, and found there were 6,396 ties from Wilder to Hanover. March 25:1 am now a full-fledged Phi Psi.

May 23: Saturday evening and the Prom is almost over. We had our dance in conjunction with another fraternity at their house. I experienced something that I had never seen before: girls smoking and two of the girls with a little liquor in them. Gee, but their eyes were bleary.

May 24: Dear Dad, Last night I was elected to the Green Key.³ All the four classes formed a square on the campus with the townspeople on the outside. Then the president of Palaeopitus read off the list of Freshmen who were selected. The Green Key is rated second to Palaeopitus. I consider myself lucky to have been chosen.

June 4: Good-by, Freshman days, I'm now a Sophomore. What a day we went through yesterday! I was never in such a scrap in all my life as that push ball rush.4 It had three football games beat a mile. I swore it was the longest 20 minutes I ever saw. I can see now why Dartmouth teams have so much fight and never give in. After the fight we ran the gauntlet through the sophs.51 thought that it was going to be terrible but I only got about three cracks. In the evening we burned our caps.

SOPHOMORE YEAR, 1922-1923

September25,1922: Sherman said, "War is hell." I say, Football is hell. Two workouts a day, each one hour and a half to two hours long. And believe me it is hard work, but it is work that makes a man.

September29: This dorm [Sanborn] is terribly noisy and I find it hard to get to sleep. The fellows make as much noise around midnight as they do in the day time. I guess my nerves are a little on edge. Football is a mental strain as well as physical. I've made up a bed at the House now, so when I want to sleep I will go down there.

October5: Please don't worry so much about me. You mustn't forget that I am 19 years old.

November 12: I've realized one of my ambitions and made my letter. I can remember Dad saying I wouldn't my sophomore year, but I have.

January 4,1923: Send some eats soon.

January 14: Thanks:very much for the cake, chocolate and apples. The cake box is a peach. The other day I got back a zoology exam with an A on it. I almost kicked off.

January 25: I'm going to the Carnival Ball stag. It's sort of fun making your dance order out with strange girls and not seeing them until it is time to dance with them.

February 4: I received my"D" sweater and it is "the berries"— and then about a half hour later I got my grades. Imagine getting a D and an A within a half hour!

February 11: Carnival began Thursday with a bang, and now the girls are on their way home. There was the usual ice carnival and then fraternity dances. I turned in at 3:30 a.m. and got up for work at 7:30.I will look forward to next year when I hope I can have a girl up. I've the most terrible schedule for this semester I ever saw. Two afternoon classes on Mon., Wed., Fri. and two rotten profs. I m not looking forward to this semester at all.

February 26: We are initiating our Freshmen now, so I have a valet wake me up every morning. It sounds funny to hear the fellows call us Mr.

March 4:I'm sort of discouraged with my studies so far this semester. I can't seem to get any good marks. I don't know what is the matter. I wish I had a little dog.

May 23: Junior Prom was the worst it has been for a good many years. There was more liquor around here this Prom than ever before. It was simply disgusting to see so many fellows under the influence of it. Sat. morning even some of the classes had fellows in it who were tight. It looks now as if this would be the last Prom, and I can't blame the administration very much. I don't care if a fellow drinks, but when he goes so far that he can't control himself and becomes obnoxious, then I draw the line.

May 26: I have decided to major in history if it is O.K. with you and Dad

June 6: It has been terribly hot up here but I've been so wrapped up in studying I didn't notice it. I'm going to worry until I get my marks, for I've got to get 2.00 to keep my scholarship.

Thank the Lord I won't have to participate in any more Soph-Frosh rushes. Now I can watch the other fellows, for I'm a Junior. Do you realize that, Mother, a Junior?

I finally chose my course of study for next year: Political Science 11, Sociology l, History 11, Psychology l and Public Speaking 11.I don't look forward to the last mentioned at all, but that is one reason why I'm taking it. It is going to be hard for me to make speeches, but I figure it will do me a lot of good.

June 10: Last night a bunch of us played bridge and then sang all the good harmony songs we could think of. I wish we had time for more leisure affairs like last night. It is good healthy times like that that make me appreciate college.

JUNIOR YEAR, 1923-1924

September 16,1923: It is very interesting this time of year meeting the new fellows and seeing once again the old ones. I just came down from upstairs where I've been talking with a "Frosh" and his father. His father wanted me to sort of keep an eye on him.

September 30: Last Monday I was called on in public speaking to give the first speech of the semester. It was to be on Prexy's opening address and I talked on his statement, "Intellectual power cannot emanate from minds unused to thought." The subject made me think. I was sort of leery before I was called on, but after I got going I didn't mind it.

December 16: We have been having the exams right and left. They have been pretty tough for me so far. It's discouraging sometimes.

As for a Xmas list—a good pair of cufflinks. Money would be the best of all.

January 19,1924:1 was elected chaplain of the fraternity. Nothing much to do except when we take in the neophytes and then I have a tough job. February 11: All the girls have departed and gradually Hanover is again hibernating. What a wonderful Carnival it was! I had about 15 hours sleep in three days. I had on my new "tuck" [tuxedo]. Made me feel like someone.

February 16:I suppose you have received my marks by now. I would like to have got more than one B. Anyway, I feel as if I had received more from my courses this semester, regardless of the marks.

March 2: One of my ambitions was realized last Wednesday night when at midnight I was bid Casque & Gauntlet [honor society]. Will tell you more about it when it won't be so apt to get outside the family.

March 9: I'm looking forward to getting home. Staying in one spot for three months sort of gets one after a while.

May 24: Just think, a week from tonight I'll be able to sit on the Senior fence. Does it seem possible that I will soon be a dignified Senior? I can hardly realize that before long I'll have to go out into the world and earn my own living. Lately I've been thinking that perhaps I'd like to go into the teaching-coaching game for a while anyway. I believe that faculty coaches are going to be the thing in a few years.

June 1: Well, here I am, a Senior now. I parked on the fence last night and got quite a thrill out of it. I can hardly realize that three years have gone by.

We were initiated yesterday at the Old Pine. Wet Down ceremonies as a whole fell flat just because the Sophomores refused to fight. The fight is the thing that makes Wet Down and without it, Wet Down is sort of flat. Believe me, Palaeopitus has got some job ahead of it to bring this college back where it should be. The pendulum has swung too far.

SENIOR YEAR, 1924-1925

September 14,1924: College began with a bang on Thursday. I'm taking two education courses. I figured that if I wanted to teach for a while after graduating that the education courses would be of some use. I wish you could see me buzz around with my white Palaeopitus hat on. We have to wear them until next Saturday so that Freshmen can ask us questions, etc. I feel very conspicuous in the old thing.

November 9: Just received a bill for my room rent and as I haven't had any money from Dad this year, I'm afraid I'll have to request at least $100. Nice way to end a letter, eh?

November 23: This blooming rushing is now on. I've had to go calling from seven to nine every night and then this afternoon and evening we are having open house. It is a hard job trying to make up my school work. But I'll get it done sometime.

November 30: Dear Dad, Last Monday I had offered to me an opportunity which I regard as a big one, and I want to know what you think about it. Mr. E.K. Hall, a very prominent Dartmouth man, Chairman of the Football Rules Committee and Vice President of the American Tel. and Tel., was up here getting some things of his son, Dick, who died up here very suddenly. He told me about his [other] son who is now 14 years old. It seems his son was very sick when a baby and until two years ago had been troubled with asthma. Mr. Hall wants me to come and live with them all next summer and just fool around with his son at their home in Montclair, N.J.

Dick Heydt, a fellow here at the House, was a very good friend of Dick Hall's. He says that the Halls are a wonderful family and that you couldn't ask for better people to be with. Incidentally, there is a daughter, Dot, who graduates from Vassar this June and is a real girl.

What do you think about it, Dad? It seems to me as if it were a chance in a lifetime.

December 14:I received an offer from the headmaster of St. Georges School to be head football coach and become a member of the athletic department, besides teaching a few classes. Every body tells me it is a fine school and I figure it won't do me any harm to look into it.

For Xmas I want money for a fountain pen. January 26,1925:! had my first exam Saturday and my second one today. I'm not worrying so much about any of them except English. I can't seem to hit that the way I should and I guess I'll have to step to get a C. It is funny how less and less the exams affect you as you become a Senior.

February 2: I received a definite offer from St. George's School the other day and I think I'll take it. I am to get $2,000 and living expenses.

February 5: As I look back on last semester I think I got more out of my courses than ever before. This history course is very good, especially under Lew Stilwell. Lew is a good Phi Psi and one of the most popular profs on the staff. He is fairly young and has the new point of view of education. Lew is an Amherst man. He makes his classes extremely interesting. Another course that has been interesting is psychology. Also political science is good stuff to know and very practical.

February 13: Carnival was great, one of the best parties ever. We had over 30 girls at the House, so you see it was some party. One of the boys from Montclair had Dot Hall up, and she surely is nice. She and I talked over how we would have to learn to ride and play golf together. I am looking forward to my summer with a great deal of enthusiasm. It will be a wonderful experience for me.

February 22: I had a very pleasant offer yesterday which I accepted. Jim Richardson and Jesse Hawley asked me to supervise football [at the College] the rest of the winter and this spring. They figured that there would be 10 weeks of it and they are going to give me $25 a week. Isn't that great? I'll certainly be able to make good use of those 250 bucks. Also, the work that I'll have to do will fit right in with my work for this fall.

vacation, my last one. March 12: There is so much to be done nowadays that it seems as if I never have time to hardly turn around. The Senior bills are starting to appear. I guess it costs more to get out of here than it does to get in. It won't be long now before

May 3: Someday I will sit down and write some nice interesting letters but I am so busy nowadays that.l am only able to let you know I'm still alive. Love to all, Larry

POSTSCRIPT

After his graduation, Leavitt spent his first summeras tutor to Bud Hall '34. That fall Leavitt and DotHall were engaged; they married in 1926 and eventually raised two children. He taught and coachedfootball at St. George's School in Newport, Rhode Island, for a year, earned an M.A. from Teachers College of Columbia University and taught at TaborAcademy in Marion, Massachusetts. In 1934 he became headmaster of Vermont Academy. In his 25 years there, 170 Vermont Academy graduates wenton to Dartmouth. Leavitt maintained his own ties tothe College as well, as class agent and alumni councilor, among many other positions. Dartmouth honored him with an Alumni Award in 1965. In 1993a plaque was installed at his beloved Memorial Field.It reads: "The Ivy League Championship pennantsthat fly above Memorial Field in recognition of thesuccess of the Dartmouth football program are dedicated in honor of Laurence G. Leavitt... for his 30years of devoted service to the Dartmouth CollegeAthletic Sponsor Program and for his steadfast commitment to Dartmouth College."

The view from BartiettTower, circa 1920

Dining in Commons, 1920s

The Green, circa 7920

Winter Carnival ball, 1920s

The Hanover Inn (right), circa 1920

Senior Fence, 1950s

The Green, circa 1916

1 Freshmen were required to wear beanies. The tradition lasted until 1973. 2 Leavitt worked as a dishwasher and server at Ma Randall's eating club, one of a dozen private

establishments offering board to Dartmouth upperclassmen. Until Thayer Dining Hall was built in 1937, the College provided board only for freshmen, who ate at Commons in College Hall.

3 Founded in 1921, the Green Key Society, an honorary service group, was best known for orgamz- ing an annual spring social event.

4 Push ball was a game similar to rugby. 5 Freshmen had to run between lines of sophomores, who hit them with blocking pads and lists.

7 In Wet Down, outgoing seniors poured drinks on new student government officers. After years of increasmgly raucus Wet Down melees, the College banned the tradtion in 1969.

6 Leavitt was referring to a freshman pledge at his fraternity. Pledges were required to serve older fraternity members.