1969

Get back! Get back! Get back to where you once belonged! This column is being written exactly one year before our 40th reunion. It is not too early to start making your plans to return to Hanover, rejoin your College classmates, review the amazing things that have befallen you since the last time you saw many of these people in June 1969 and enjoy the warmth and beauty the College and old friends can provide. I am pleased to report the class Web site has new pages with information on who is already attending, what the activities can be (with your input), when the dates fall for this event and how you can participate in the planning, sign-up and recruiting to ensure the people you would like to see show up. Check the Web site, register your intent to attend and update your contact information.

Congratulations to our own John Mathias Jr., who was elected president of the Association of Alumni of the College. There was a record voter turnout, with nearly 38 percent of the alumni participating and giving John more than 60 percent of the vote. In addition to that good news, the Dartmouth Class Webmasters Association elected Peter Elias as its representative to the Alumni Council.

In May Jo and I visited Washington, D.C., and were fortunate to spend an evening with Steve Harris and Cindy. Over dinner we amazed our wives with tales of triumphs and disasters remembered from our Hanover days. Steve's legal work has moved from government service to private practice and he still finds it all interesting and worthwhile, giving no indication of retirement anytime soon. We hope that encounter will prompt Steve and Cindy to visit Hanover next June to reconnect with other old friends.

In the same vein we are seeking testimonials from happy attendees of previous reunions and I offer one here from Tom McWhorter reflecting on the 35th:

"I met some guys that I knew well in 1969 and more that I either did not know or did not know well enough to remember. I met guys who were frat brothers and close associates and felt the brunt of my behavior in the '60s. Apparently they have either forgotten or forgiven. Without exception, I enjoyed meeting all of them.

"It occurred to me that maybe we were all obnoxious in 1969 and maybe we all have grown since then. Maybe the unique Dartmouth experience that we shared and the years that have seasoned that experience have built a bond somehow. Or maybe if we had to spend more than a couple of days together again you guys would realize how obnoxious I still am. But for the weekend, it was great. I will go again next year. There were many classmates missing last time and I hope to see them next time."

As always, Allen Denison and I are eager to hear from you. As are your classmates.