Clubs

Daniel Webster, class of 1801, was a son of Dartmouth and a distinguished public servant, but he is hardly alone. Many alumni in Washington, D.C., have spent significant parts of their lives working on behalf of others in the public service. Twenty years ago the Dartmouth Club of Washington, D.C. (DCOW), began to celebrate these alumni.

In January 1982 the club celebrated Daniel Webster's birthday in lavish Senate facilities in the U.S. Capitol with a military color guard. The event attracted many otherwise inactive local alumni and within a few years became a fixture on the clubs calendar. Now an annual event, the black-tie dinner celebrates Dartmouth public servants who followed in the Webster tradition.

In 1987 the first annual Daniel Webster Distinguished Public Service Award Dinner was held on a date close to Webster's January 18 birthday. Lucite trophies, now known as Webby Awards, were presented to the 10 Dartmouth alumni then serving in the House and the Senate. Webster had served both in the House and Senate and as U.S. Secretary of State. Five sitting federal judges, all of them Dartmouth alumni, were honored with Webbies the following year.

Then came a politically courageous distinguished public servant, U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop '37. Deep snows couldn't keep hundreds of local alumni away from the Officers' Club at Fort McNair. Dr. Koop's acceptance remarks were warm and humorous; he even told how he met his wife at Winter Carnival.

While well-known figures will no doubt continue to be honored with the Webster Award, the club also seeks to recognize alumni who are not elected officials or political appointees. For example, last year's Webby winner was Rand Beers '64, who devoted 35 years of his career to the civil service. Beers served in a variety of positions in the Foreign Service and ultimately advised four presidents—playing invisible but critical roles in arms control, anti-drug trafficking and peacekeeping and counterterrorism activities. Like many Webby winners Rand Beers was clearly touched by the recognition and the fact it came from fellow alumni of the College that helped shape his values and life goals.

Through the years the club has honored some individuals who have made unique but little-known public service contributions. Among them was Rails-to-Trails Conservancy founder David Burwell '69. Another Webster recipient, Peter Pritchard '66, created the Newseum, an amazing museum focused on the history and technology of the news media.

As this goes to press this years Webster Award winner, Robert J. Portman '78—a six-term congressman from Ohio's 2nd District, former U.S. trade representative and current director of the Office of Management and Budget—has just been selected. The 2007 Webster dinner is to be held June 20 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

While the event has strayed from Daniel Webster's birthday, it has tried to remain true to his legacy.

A complete list of recipients of the DCOW Daniel Webster Distinguished Public Service Award—along with many of the kudos, acceptance speeches and some photos—can be found on the DCOW Web site: http://dartmouth.de.org/webster.html.

For information about club activities in your area, contact your local club or affiliated group. They can be found on the Web from the alumni relations clubs page: http://alumni.dartmouth.edu/clubs.

This column was guest written by Chuck Sherman '66.

If you have suggestions for Club Notes, please contact me.

19 Debbi Lane, Epping, NH03042; (603) 734-2804; patricia.j.laughlin.91@alum.dartmouth.org