Class Note 1962
Issue
Not long after winning the hearts and minds of students and alumni by running around the Homecoming bonfire with the freshmen class last October President Jim Yong Kim ran into his first encounter with the dark side of Dartmouth tradition—the Animal House mythology—that still occasionally rears its ugly head. Hooligan behavior by a group of students at a squash game with Harvard reached national media attention, generated much discussion on our class listserv and even inspired a number of letters to this particular column from troubled classmates. Sumner Kabler lamented that, “Once again I am disappointed and embarrassed for my alma mater. My own work associates, who delight in calling to my attention any negative news about Dartmouth, will surely use this incident as fodder for their barbs about our college breeding Indians who sit and bang their heads against pine trees.”
Richard Hannah, Frank Kehl and others echoed these concerns. Ted Beal captured the sentiment of many: “I think the newsworthy part of all this commentary on Dartmouth mores and behavior is that so many of our classmates are willing to speak out and take positions on issues that were tacitly overlooked when we were undergraduates. ‘Boys will be boys’ is not really seen as socially sanctioned behavior now.” President Kim has since made public apology to Harvard and committed to using the squash incident as a “teachable moment” that engages all students to re-examine their personal conduct and values. We can hope that positive change will follow.
On a more upbeat note Sandy Apgar reports, “I was honored to attend a surprise reception and dinner this evening in Washington, D.C., for Peter Brink, who is retiring from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, where he has been senior vice president for programs. Host Richard Moe, the National Trust’s president, called Peter ‘the most consequential preservationist of the last 20 years.’ Surrounded by more than 100 friends and colleagues who offered toasts and roasts, Peter capped the memorable evening with reminiscences from Washington, Galveston, Texas, and places beyond. I was privileged to work with Peter on the Army Historic Properties Initiative.” Sandy adds that Peter and his wife are moving to Norwich, Vermont, “so we’ll have another venue for our mini-reunion parties!”
Ol’ Sundance, our former secretary, reports that Paul Weinberg started a luncheon club in Massachusetts called North Shore Men Our Age (NOSHMOA).
Charter members also include Allan Weeks, who practices law in Newburyport, Massachusetts, and Bill McDonald, who practices law in Beverly. John Wilkinson, formerly a human resources man who is now retired and living in Newbury, Massachusetts, rode to lunch on a classic Indian motorcycle. One wonders whether the Indian was green and whether a motorcycle will become the new NOSHMOA mascot!
Bill Nevin, in the Arizona desert, prefers to ride a non-motorized bicycle. Still practicing medicine in Tucson, he often finds time to slip away to visit his son on Coronado Island near San Diego, California, which he finds to be excellent cycling country.
—Jim Haines, 307 Sewickley Ridge Drive, Sewickley, PA 15143;(412) 741-9088; jbhaines@comcast.net
Mar - Apr 2010
Not long after winning the hearts and minds of students and alumni by running around the Homecoming bonfire with the freshmen class last October President Jim Yong Kim ran into his first encounter with the dark side of Dartmouth tradition—the Animal House mythology—that still occasionally rears its ugly head. Hooligan behavior by a group of students at a squash game with Harvard reached national media attention, generated much discussion on our class listserv and even inspired a number of letters to this particular column from troubled classmates. Sumner Kabler lamented that, “Once again I am disappointed and embarrassed for my alma mater. My own work associates, who delight in calling to my attention any negative news about Dartmouth, will surely use this incident as fodder for their barbs about our college breeding Indians who sit and bang their heads against pine trees.”
Richard Hannah, Frank Kehl and others echoed these concerns. Ted Beal captured the sentiment of many: “I think the newsworthy part of all this commentary on Dartmouth mores and behavior is that so many of our classmates are willing to speak out and take positions on issues that were tacitly overlooked when we were undergraduates. ‘Boys will be boys’ is not really seen as socially sanctioned behavior now.” President Kim has since made public apology to Harvard and committed to using the squash incident as a “teachable moment” that engages all students to re-examine their personal conduct and values. We can hope that positive change will follow.
On a more upbeat note Sandy Apgar reports, “I was honored to attend a surprise reception and dinner this evening in Washington, D.C., for Peter Brink, who is retiring from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, where he has been senior vice president for programs. Host Richard Moe, the National Trust’s president, called Peter ‘the most consequential preservationist of the last 20 years.’ Surrounded by more than 100 friends and colleagues who offered toasts and roasts, Peter capped the memorable evening with reminiscences from Washington, Galveston, Texas, and places beyond. I was privileged to work with Peter on the Army Historic Properties Initiative.” Sandy adds that Peter and his wife are moving to Norwich, Vermont, “so we’ll have another venue for our mini-reunion parties!”
Ol’ Sundance, our former secretary, reports that Paul Weinberg started a luncheon club in Massachusetts called North Shore Men Our Age (NOSHMOA).
Charter members also include Allan Weeks, who practices law in Newburyport, Massachusetts, and Bill McDonald, who practices law in Beverly. John Wilkinson, formerly a human resources man who is now retired and living in Newbury, Massachusetts, rode to lunch on a classic Indian motorcycle. One wonders whether the Indian was green and whether a motorcycle will become the new NOSHMOA mascot!
Bill Nevin, in the Arizona desert, prefers to ride a non-motorized bicycle. Still practicing medicine in Tucson, he often finds time to slip away to visit his son on Coronado Island near San Diego, California, which he finds to be excellent cycling country.
—Jim Haines, 307 Sewickley Ridge Drive, Sewickley, PA 15143;(412) 741-9088; jbhaines@comcast.net