Class Notes, March/April 2006

Homecoming did not disappoint. The bonfire was well attended with the '09's staking their claim to their Dartmouth heritage as they ringed the fire with joy and unbound energy. The bands played and classes marched, none more proudly than the fifty-three's who paraded with joy and vigor behind the famous "Fifty-Three Out" banner. It was a weekend of togetherness with 37 of us joining for dinner at the Inn before the bonfire, and 30 attending the cocktail party afterward. The Class meeting on Saturday morning was host to 37 alumni and five wives, with 90 meeting for dinner at Phil Beekman's after the game. President Phil Beekman presented the Class' most prestigious award, the Classmate of the Year Award to Jack Patten at the dinner. Jack has spent his entire professional career at MacGraw-Hill rising to the position as President and Publisher of the Business Week Group, the most important business book in the English speaking world. Under his direction, Business Week garnered many industry awards and received universal reader accolades. Jack has been honored with honorary doctorate degrees from St. Johns University and Westminster College as well as receiving the Frank Knox Media medal presented by the Navy League. Jack's contributions of service to his community are both intensive and extensive.

And speaking of honors, Donald Caprenter Goss could not have known, when he stepped into Memorial Field to see the Columbia game, that at halftime the band would form a birthday cake in his honor and play happy birthday to him on his 75th birthday! In this writer's experience, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event dedicated to a person who has earned the love and respect of the entire Dartmouth community.

More honors to report! Thelma and Fred Stephens have been named Marshals of the Ryder Cup Tournament to be held outside of Dublin, Ireland in September 2006. Being named Marshalls of this prestigious event is not exactly new territory for Thelma and Fred who have occupied this position in a number of Ryder Cup tournaments in this country. While they are in Ireland they intend to extend their trip and make it a personal vacation.

It is also my pleasure to announce that Allen Collins has been elected President of the Association of Alumni in an important election held on Sunday of Homecoming Weekend. Allen will be the only Dartmouth Alumnus ever to be honored by Dartmouth as President of the Alumni Council, Head of the Dartmouth Alumni Fund, and President of the Association of Dartmouth Alumni. This trifecta represents just the tip of the iceberg in regard to the various positions which Al has undertaken in behalf of Dartmouth, beginning with Alumni Club responsibilities, Class officer and Admissions positions, and finally as a contributor to the Board of Trustees Committee on Student Life. Congratulations to all! Though I am writing this in December, and I know that it won't be read until March, it is always appropriate to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year.

Cheers!

Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616;dartmark@optonline.net