1955

In keeping with the theme of this issue, "Dartmouth's Gifts to the World," I'd like to recognize some of the gifts our classmates have made to society. Almost every individual classmate I have contacted since becoming class secretary has made some contribution, so those featured in this column should be seen as examples of the breadth and diversity of the impact of the class as a whole.

Many such contributions arise from the application of professional talents. Dr. Dan Anzel spent 14 years on the USC School of Medicine faculty planning and developing the Norris Cancer Center, which opened in 1982, the first comprehensive cancer center in the West. John French has been a pioneer in the field of environmental law during his career as an attorney. In 1964 he helped found the Road Review League Inc. to oppose the building of an interstate highway through two nature sanctuaries, and several years later he assisted in the passage of the Cotton Amendment to constrain the impact of the interstate highway through Franconia Notch. He also helped draft a set of environmental laws for New York State. In 1992 he was recognized for his efforts by the New York State Bar Association.

Currently serving as Episcopal Bishop of the Utah Diocese, George Bates has spent his life building moral values and keeping the needs of mankind in focus. Similarly, Carl Swenson made a career change from construction engineer to executive director of the Nashua Pastoral Care Center, working in crisis intervention and family support to alleviate some of the problems in our contemporary society.

Jack Cogswell, a retired executive, has become an active volunteer with several healthcare organizations in Massachusetts as well as serving on local government boards.

And Gordie Russell, sharing the results from his successful venture-capital business with his hometown in gratitude for the start it gave him, made a substantial contribution to the town's library expansion and renovation project.

Other gifts spring from deeply held personal interests. An example that the class will have the opportunity to experience at our 40th Reunion next June is Dick Barr. While a student at the College, Dick developed a passionate interest in art and art history studying under Professor Lathrop After leaving die family business, Dick, who had amassed a collection of more than 3,000 art slides, developed a series of lectures which he uses to share his love of art with students in the local Vermont public schools. This has provoked a remarkable response, with as many as 40 teenagers attending a voluntary series on Baroque art, and more than 150 attending individual seminars. He also teaches art history at a local community college.

Herb Darling has had an interest in the outdoors all his life. Concerned about the decline of the native chestnut tree in North America, Herb helped found the American Chestnut Association's New York Chapter to bring scientific techniques to treating the blight which has been killing the trees.

My thanks to those classmates who provided many of these examples, and to the remainder of the class whose many good works could not be recognized here.

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