So many classmates responded with how they felt about recent announcements from the College that referred to Dartmouth as a university that this topic will cover two issues. All their thoughtful responses are on our website, 1967.dartmouth.org. Bill Reynolds wrote, “I taught constitutional law for many years. I loved to recite Webster’s famous line: ‘It is, sir, as I have said, a small college.’ It always brought tears to my eyes. The College should never be referred to as a university. Is nothing sacred?” John Wynne recalls the time “George Wallace came to campus and gave a speech. He started by saying ‘Dartmouth University’ and was loudly booed.” Joe Alviani said, “At first my reaction was that, whatever the appellation, it doesn’t really matter much. But in thinking of what Dartmouth has meant and still means to our class, and what it meant and means to me, it does make a difference. ‘College’ and collegiality signify an intimacy, community, an affinity of purpose and spirit where friendships and associations can be made for life, something that the bigness and impersonality suggested by the term ‘university’ does not.”

Hank Cramer writes, “The central and prime function of Dartmouth College is the provision of a broadly based liberal education to undergraduates. The term ‘university’ implies an emphasis on postgraduate studies, and I don’t think that title fits Dartmouth College.” Bob Burka concurs: “This is more than just a tradition. I understand that there are those who believe that changing the name to state what everyone should already know, that Dartmouth College is a university, may be of some benefit to those unfamiliar with American higher education, but anyone that ignorant about the best institution in the Ivy League probably would not be helped by any name change.” Wayne Beyer points out, “Dartmouth College must keep its name, but we are already ranked with national research universities, not colleges. U.S. News ranks it No. 5 in undergraduate teaching and No. 13 in national universities, ahead of Brown and Cornell.”

Bill Judd says, “Dartmouth College is a university. The name will always be Dartmouth College. Reference to ‘university’ should be uncapitalized.” John Lobitz agrees: “The college, with its medical, business, and engineering schools and other graduate programs certainly would qualify to be called a university, but I feel connected to and believe most alumni resonate with the word ‘college’ with its long history and traditions. Changing the name to Dartmouth University would be a great loss.” Warren Cook says, “I went there because it was not a university but ‘a small college. And yet there are those who love it.’ Enough said. But the times they are a changin’.” Finally, John Isaacs says, “Tomato, tomato, potato, potato, college, university, let’s call the whole thing off (sung by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong), or to use another movie moment, ‘Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn’ (or DAM).”

Our 55th reunion will be on September 23-24 in Hanover. Contact Bruce Pacht (bruce pacht67@gmail.com) and let him know you’re coming!

—Larry Langford, P.O. Box 71, Buckland, MA 01339; 1967damnotes@gmail.com