President's Letter Summer 2002

Dear ‘60 Classmates and Special Others,

Before you head off for your well-earned end-of-summer vacations, enclosed is the sign-up information for our special October Mini-reunion in Hanover, so you can get that nailed down ere post Labor Day madness fills your calendar.

But first the news. Although we still await final numbers for the Dartmouth College Fund (aka Alumni Fund), its clear that we set a record for the amount given by any class 42 years out. Our participation percentage remained in the mid-60s, up a bit from last year, and way above the college average in the 40s. Thanks to our Head Agent Ken Johansen and all his loyal assistant agents, despite problematic college support (new computer system) we have proven again that we are one of the truly exceptional classes!

That goes for events as well. Shortly you will receive the first specific mailing on our 65th Birthday Celebration in Chicago next June 5-8. The Dansons, Freedmans and MacLeans have been joined by others in the planning and there is so much to do in Chicago that it will be difficult to fit it all into a long weekend. So mark your calendars now for this not-to-be-missed event.

Our 60th Birthday Party in San Francisco brought out a number of classmates who had not been involved in class activities before, and their presence was a mutual delight both to them and to classmates who’d lost touch with them. The same thing happened at our 40th Reunion in Hanover. Adler’s monthly lunch in Norwich has grown to at least a dozen (with twice as many stories) and new faces show up regularly, gratefully with new stories. All this has prompted a proposal for an Outreach Project to encourage attendance at our regular class events and to support the replication of successful smaller gatherings (such as the lunches) in other locations. Gene Kohn, who has a marvelous passion for gathering in our "lost sheep", has agreed to head this effort. If you’d like to help, give him a shout!

Now for this Fall. October 11-14 should already be on your calendar; peak of autumn leaves, 3 day weekend, full program with alternatives for all - what could be better? Savor the attached agenda:

(1) The Orozco exhibition is world class and it will be enhanced by the Friday Symposium led by Derrick Cartwright, the dynamic new Director of the Hood Museum and featuring Diane Miliotes, Curator of the exhibit plus experts from the classes of ‘59 and ‘61.

(2) That will be followed by a raid on Mt Roeschmore’s larder and high-octane home-brew, "more than just a breakfast drink".

(3) At our Class Meeting Saturday morning we’ll hear the experiences of students ranging from our class scholars and class athlete to participants in our Dorm Art project and mentors from Tony Roisman’s SEAD program.

(4) Our always sumptuous tailgating will precede either a trek to the gridiron to watch Yale sneak back to New Haven or participation in one of Roger Hanlon’s special events, followed by our Class Dinner at The Quechee Club.

(5) Sunday morning brings us to the DOC House for a joint brunch with the ‘59s and 61’s, an afternoon of more Hanlon events, and an evening free to share with special friends.

(6) For those able to stick around for Monday, Roger is planning a hiking excursion to the White Mountains.

The good news is that this is probably the best weekend of the Fall in the Upper Valley. The bad news is that accommodations fill up fast. Enclosed is the College’s most current listing of places to stay, and you’re urged to make your reservations as soon as possible. At last call most places still had vacancies, but don’t delay! And then fill out the enclosed reservation sheet for the dinner and brunch and other events and send it back to Treasurer Jay as soon as possible.

Your classmates and I look forward to seeing you for a full and fun weekend!

For the Super Class of ‘60,

Rick Roesch, President