College Items

The following messages are lifted from a September letter to Dartmouth Alumni from Stephen Mandel Jr. Dartmouth's Trustee Chairman, to remind us of current activity which we are all interested in following.

"The Trustees have four major areas of focus for the year:

Finding an inspiring 18th President, who can lead Dartmouth well into the future; 

Working with senior leadership to conclude the important strategic planning work of the past 18 months;

Overseeing master planning for the campus; and 

Enhancing education, procedures, and sanctions to ensure the safety and success of our students."

"We hope to be able to name Dartmouth’s next President by early in the New Year."

"My fellow Trustees and I believe that nothing is more important to Dartmouth than the health and safety of our students. We want to foster a thriving and fully engaged community founded on accountability, concern for others and personal well-being. While initiatives to combat binge drinking, hazing, and sexual assault were launched under President Jim Yong Kim’s leadership, we need to do more. We are pleased that last week Dean of the College Charlotte Johnson, with the close involvement of Director of Athletics Harry Sheehy, put in place enhanced harm reduction measures that focus on increased education, policies, and sanctions for hazing. Such behavior is antithetical to Dartmouth's values and it is our responsibility to take actions to eliminate them."

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****** Your Webmaster has discovered a revered INDIAN symbol already recognized by the College.
It is contained in a memorial for an Alumnus Hero of World War I prominently displayed in Baker Library.
Howard Burchard Lines, class of 1912, displayed this Indian proudly and symbolically as he aided the French Army and died in the line of duty as an AFS driver on the front lines in 1916. We, of course, would search for his descendants, if any, and request permission for any use of this venerable artifact.
These photos show the display mounted in Baker Library already acknowledging the importance of this symbol:

Display case in Baker Library honoring Howard Burchard Lines '12

Cross on original grave in France

Indian from Howard's ambulance........................Story of the Emblem exhibited ....... (Photos by Pete Foster)

Pete was going to propose endorsement by our Class, at it's Annual meeting during Reunion, a recommendation to the College for adoption of this symbol as its official mascot and example of its HISTORY, ORIGIN, RESOURSEFULNESS, PURPOSE, COMPETITIVENESS AND ENDURANCE. Class members requested that we consult with representatives of the Native American Program group to elicit recommendations and reactions to the idea. This process was pursued by your webmaster which resulted in President Sam inviting Michael Hanitchak, Director of the NAP to speak at the meeting in June.
Michael's talk unexpectedly centered on the subject of the importance of the origination of the College having to do with eduction of native Indians and his interest in pursuing ways in which people could be continually reminded of the "Co-founders" Rev. Eleazar Wheelock and Rev. Samson Occum. He invited those interested to enter into discussions with him to explore such objectives. Several of us at the meeting were interested.
There are a number of reasons for such a return to this tradition on the campus. They have to do with:

• the early History of the College under Eleazar Wheelock, an experienced Indian educator,
• the Spirit which it generated among undergrads and Alumni,
• added attraction to the College by increased numbers of Native American applicants,
• stimulation of financial support by Alumni who "remember when",
• honoring one of the prime original founders, Rev. Samson Occum, and
• recognition by outsiders of the character represented in the noble, strong and able Natives who aided the first settlers in establishing a foothold on which to build this great Nation.

Meeting with N.A.P. Director Michael Hanitchak Bud Munson and Pete Foster got together with Michael October 3 before Mini Reunion events started to review the impression he left with us in June regarding his objectives on Campus and possible common interests with the Alumni. Conversation centered on the historic founding of Dartmouth in 1769 and the pivotal role played by Rev. Samson Occum. This event, it was felt, deserved to be recognized and featured in First Year Orientation, providing new students a feeling for the background of the College. We were encouraged to pursue the idea of projecting the image of Dartmouth's origin for Indian education and the ongoing endeavor of teaching Indian students to become leaders back in their own communities.
There are roughly 150 native american undergraduates with an objective, in Michael's mind, of 200 as a "critical mass" for the maintenance of ongoing programs. He acts as cultural broker for students who may be out of their depth in the new environment and approaches Professors and Administrators on their behalf. Other groups having shown interest are classes of '43 and '46, the Mohegans in Connecticut and Native Alumni.

The Indian Symbol - Bud related stories involving previous efforts to restore the symbol of the Indian to its rightful place on the campus including those by classmate Wid Washburn, now deceased, (see Miscellany) who was Director of American Studies at the Smithsonian National Museum and a dedicated defender of the Indian Symbol at Dartmouth. Michael is somewhat fearful of people looking at the Indian as a "Mascot" rather than the more dignified Symbol of the spirit, foundation, strength, endurance and pride which would be hoped for.
 Michael provided us with a copy of the NAP Mission Statement and recommended two books for our perusal. He also asked that we continue to explore ways to increase recognition of the important relationship and expressed hope that tangible progress could be made during the then current college year (2003-2004).

Recently, SAMSON OCCOM was given recognition in the naming of a new Courtyard in the North Campus where several new dormitories have been built in an effort to increase the percentage of undergraduates living on the Campus.