1961

Saw the dates from Thursday, April 30, to Sunday, May 3,2009, to celebrate with your classmates the milestone achievement of reaching 70 years of age. The location selected by vote is Scottsdale, Arizona, and the event is being put together by an esteemed team of classmates and their spouses who reside in the area either full time or part time. The group includes Len and Eileen DiSavino, Jeff and Jane Conn, John and jane King, Jim and Gail Nova and Jay and Anne Torok. Enter the dates into your 2009 diaries now, and in ink. More to follow.

David Steinberg wrote recently that he continues to practice hematology and run the ethics program at Lahey Clinic in the Boston area. His recent book, BiomedicalEthics:AMultidisciplinary Approach to Moral Issues in Medicineand Biology, should be interesting to many classmates because the subjects covered are (per David) "inherently interesting and, as we get older, we are likely to personally encounter some of the ethical conundrums discussed in the book." The catch: To find the book "inherently interesting" one must first be able to comprehend the subject matter!

Jim Hamilton '65 read about the passing of Ray Welch and sent me an anecdote about him. Ray, apparently a near-legend in the advertising industry, never actually graduated from Dartmouth. Ray grew to regret his "oversight" of not taking his comps as an English major. He apparently had been preoccupied with courting ayoung lady in Boston, which required frequent road trips, especially during the spring of his senior year. It should be noted, however, that Ray did pass all of his courses during his senior year. The last course in question was one given by professor Herb "Wild" West, which Ray happened to miss on a decidedly regular basis. Professor West recognized Ray's talent and understood his priorities in life at that time, apparently not discouraging him (perhaps even encouraging him) in his endeavors. In the end he gave Ray a passing grade for his course, for which Ray was forever grateful. The question at hand, however, is whether, in light of Ray s illustrious career in creative ad- vertising, broadcasting and journalism, is it possible for him, posthumously, to finally re- ceive his degree from Dartmouth?

The most recent Alumni Council meeting, held in December 2007, proved (to me at least) to be the best- and most productive council meeting that I have ever attended. This is my fourth term on council during the past 25 or so years, and this term has been, by far, the most rewarding experience. It was exceedingly open and highly interactive, with several factions represented and numerous excellent ideas emanating from many of the council members. One other classmate, Pete Bleyler, is also a current member of council. Pete represented the classes of'61 and '62, whereas, as president of the Class Secretaries Association, I represented the Class Officers Association and executive committee. I only hope that this open and interactive communication continues and that both factions will realize that differences can be settled, or compromised, through open and sincere dialogue rather than through legal processes.

5 Red Ground Road, Old Westbury,NY 11568; victor. rich@rsmi.com