1974
FIFTH REUNION
We couldn't have asked for better. The number of classmates returning, four sparkling New Hampshire summer days, the activities, the entertainment, and, most of all, the company of so many friends combined to make this reunion the biggest and best of any fifth-year class. With 215 members of the class registered, we smashed fifth reunion attendance marks, and by the end of June, we had not only broken the Alumni Fund's record, but had also sur- passed our $25,000 goal.
Activities began on June 14 with the reunion seminar "Great Issues for Spaceship Earth: Surviving to 2004." Among '74s attending were Dave Marston, who continues to work with computers in the Boston area, and John Barbor, who is making his mark as a small-town lawyer in Indiana, Pa., while directing an amateur drama group in his spare time.
Classmates continued to arrive throughout Thursday, and that evening an impromptu cookout on Russell Sage's "beach" was followed by kegs in the class tent. Early arrivals included Charles Post, business manager for The Washington Monthly, and ChuckRosenthal, who will be continuing his studies at Cornell Medical in New York City this fall. Chuck completed the first two years of his training in Lille, France.
Friday brought many more classmates to town. Most of the day was spent relaxing, drinking beer, or participating in various sporting activities. At a game of "jungle soccer" held in front of Hitchcock, stellar performances were turned in by Miguel Cardona, who is assistant director of admissions at Brandeis University, Haynes Lund, and Bob Bluestein. Bob took time out from filming his reunion epic InSearch Of - The Dartmouth Animal to organize and participate in the soccer game. In the class golf tournament, Gary Prisby was a double winner, taking the honors for both the low gross score and the longest drive. SteveMcCormack came closest to the pin, while BillChilcote finished with the low net score. Other honors went to Bruce Stewart and Bob"Purple" Hayes for their unique styles at the tee and in the golf cart.
In the tennis tournament, Jim Myers and John Lamond took the honors for men's doubles, while Bruce "Willie" Williamson and Jill Woolworth '76 won the mixed doubles. DonCasey was, as usual, the best-dressed player.
On Friday evening, for the alumni parade to Thompson Arena, our class was led by a local Shriner band. With the gas crisis in many parts of the country in full swing, this quasi-Arab band seemed strangely appropriate. After dinner, the Glee Clubs performed in Spaulding Auditorium. It was director Paul Zeller's last concert at Dartmouth, and for the finale, "Men of Dartmouth," Glee Club alumni were invited onto the stage. Many members of the class went up to honor Professor Zeller, who has given so much enjoyment to both students and alumni during his long and illustrious tenure in .Hanover.
At the class tent, "Smash the Window" played until late, and dancing, drinking, and I discussion were the order of business. Among the many present were Mary and DaveHarkcom; Dave is a lawyer in Rock Island, Ill.Lex Chalko is in Washington, D.C., and hopes that his psychiatric talents will someday make that city a bit saner. Ron Cathcart works for the Canadian government in a division similar to our Department of Commerce. Bob Molinari just received his M.B.A. from Tuck and will begin this summer at Ray Chemical, a California firm that manufactures and sells control systems.
On Saturday morning, it was aspirin and the hair of the dog for some, the nine-mile reunion run for others. The DOC sponsored a trip to Mount Moosilauke, while the executive committee elected officers to serve for the next five years. Chris Gates, who has done a superb job organizing our class agents and running 74's annual Alumni Fund drives, is class president, while Steve Dietz succeeds him as head agent. Gerry Bowe is the new class treasurer, and Peter Blodgett heads a group that will select an appropriate class gift. Our newsletter editor is Tom Guidi. Tom and I both want to hear from all classmates and will try to get everyone's news in print. Our thanks also to outgoing President Bruce Williamson, Treasurer JackThomas, and Reunion Chair Rick Williams.Steve Severson, outgoing class secretary, set a standard of excellence that will be difficult to match. The title "Class Secretary of the Year" is an understatement: for over four years Steve has worked tirelessly, never missing a column.
"The Dartmouth Experience - Was It Worth It?," a panel moderated by Glenn Burdick, took a look at our experiences at the College. James Wright, professor of history, represented the faculty on the panel. Also, an exhibit of crafts in Silsby Hall featured, among other things, computer programs, handcrafted furniture, and weather instruments. One of the most impressive items was a hand-tooled rifle by Bob Rooke.
A Storrs Pond picnic kept us busy on Saturday afternoon with volleyball, swimming, horseshoes, and wiffle ball. That evening, cocktails at Collis College Center included a brief visit from President and Mrs. Kemeny and were followed by a Thayer Hall banquet, with service that was first-rate and food that, well, brought back certain undergraduate memories. William Andres '29, who chairs the board of trustees, spoke to the class, reminding us that we are the "heirs of Dartmouth," as is every class from its day of matriculation. Former Dean of the College Carroll Brewster '57 quoted the late Dean of Freshmen Albert Dickerson '30 in addressing the spirit of Dartmouth as "the bond of a lofty purpose shared." Finally, the Aires and Woodswind arrived to entertain the class, after which we danced to the music of the fifties and sixties at Beta house well into the early hours of Sunday morning.
For some of us, Sunday started very early, as Mark Mahoney and Doug Lind serenaded Russell Sage with an unusual "Dartmouth Medley" at 6:00 a.m. It did, however, provide a chance to walk through the deserted campus and silent town and a chance to recapture - if only for a moment - the memories and spirit of the past. While renewing old acquaintances and gaining new friends is an enjoyable aspect of a Dartmouth reunion, it cannot compare with the opportunity to rediscover an aspect of one's self and perhaps to alter one's sense of purpose or identity.
Finally, it was time for brunch at the DOC House at Occom Pond, then quick goodbyes, and the hope of meeting again in 1984.
The lure of four bright and sunny New Hampshire days enticed enough members of theclass of 1974 back to Hanover in June to smash the previous attendance mark forfifth reunions, as well as to break the Alumni Fund's record for fifth-year giving.
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