Class Note 1974
Issue
January-February 2021
Classmates, I am writing in late October as the election closes in and the second major surge of the Covid-19 pandemic increases the nation’s anxiety to a level rarely seen.
John Haulenbeek, head agent, sent this regarding the economic impact of the pandemic for the Dartmouth College Fund (DCF) and the College’s bottom line.
“This was a challenging year for the DCF, as the pandemic and social justice issues facing the country made us sensitive about asking for money from people in difficult times. Despite this, our class came through with more than $290,000, which is more than we raised in our last non-reunion fiscal year. Kudos to all! The DCF raised $42 million in 2020, exceeding 2019.
“Why does a college with a $6-billion endowment push for additional giving? First, 83 percent of our endowment is restricted gifts; funds given to support specific programs. Second, Dartmouth received several hundred additional requests for financial aid and almost 400 more appeals of financial aid decisions than in a normal year. Forty-nine percent of students receive financial aid, and 55 percent of that comes from the DCF. Dartmouth’s financial aid program allows the College to have a need-blind admission process, an important tool for a more economically diverse institution.”
A meeting was held with the College administration regarding findings of accelerated mortality among Black male alumni. From Rocky Whitaker and Bill Geiger: “It has been an unexpected delight to realize a growing sense of community—more genuine and authentic—since our 45th reunion. In March 2019 a group of ’74s we barely knew began exploring the stark disparity in mortality rates between our Black and non-Black classmates. Our Black brothers are dying at rates that surprised some, shocked others.
“First our class, then the ’73s and ’75s, showed similar disproportionality. We—Rocky, Bill, Matt Putnam, Michael Thomas, Rick Ranger, Walt Singletary, and Jerry Bowe—gathered together in Hanover last year to share this information. Slowly but surely the College has engaged in this exploration. Former President Jim Wright, Vice President of Alumni Relations Cheryl Bascomb ’82, and others of the College community, including the Black Alumni of Dartmouth Association, concerned Black alumni, and several other affiliated groups, have listened, engaged, shared their thinking, and encouraged us to persevere.
“We’re reaching out to a number of other classes and pressing the College to commit resources to dig further and deeper into the data. Perhaps more importantly, we’ve invited the class of 2024 to join us in this effort. Join us in this process of exploration and discovery.”
Finally, I’m glad to note that the trustees are holding hearings to reevaluate the decision to eliminate the golf, swimming and diving, and lightweight crew teams. Jim Bayless swam 7 miles in the Connecticut River from Lyme, New Hampshire, to Hanover, along with three members of the women’s swim team to draw attention to this issue and raise money to fund the effort for reversal. Jim’s story appears in our latest class newsletter.
Please see the class obituaries at www.dartmouthalumnimagazine.com.
—Philip Stebbins, 17 Hardy Road, Londonderry, NH 03053; p.stebs@comcast.net
John Haulenbeek, head agent, sent this regarding the economic impact of the pandemic for the Dartmouth College Fund (DCF) and the College’s bottom line.
“This was a challenging year for the DCF, as the pandemic and social justice issues facing the country made us sensitive about asking for money from people in difficult times. Despite this, our class came through with more than $290,000, which is more than we raised in our last non-reunion fiscal year. Kudos to all! The DCF raised $42 million in 2020, exceeding 2019.
“Why does a college with a $6-billion endowment push for additional giving? First, 83 percent of our endowment is restricted gifts; funds given to support specific programs. Second, Dartmouth received several hundred additional requests for financial aid and almost 400 more appeals of financial aid decisions than in a normal year. Forty-nine percent of students receive financial aid, and 55 percent of that comes from the DCF. Dartmouth’s financial aid program allows the College to have a need-blind admission process, an important tool for a more economically diverse institution.”
A meeting was held with the College administration regarding findings of accelerated mortality among Black male alumni. From Rocky Whitaker and Bill Geiger: “It has been an unexpected delight to realize a growing sense of community—more genuine and authentic—since our 45th reunion. In March 2019 a group of ’74s we barely knew began exploring the stark disparity in mortality rates between our Black and non-Black classmates. Our Black brothers are dying at rates that surprised some, shocked others.
“First our class, then the ’73s and ’75s, showed similar disproportionality. We—Rocky, Bill, Matt Putnam, Michael Thomas, Rick Ranger, Walt Singletary, and Jerry Bowe—gathered together in Hanover last year to share this information. Slowly but surely the College has engaged in this exploration. Former President Jim Wright, Vice President of Alumni Relations Cheryl Bascomb ’82, and others of the College community, including the Black Alumni of Dartmouth Association, concerned Black alumni, and several other affiliated groups, have listened, engaged, shared their thinking, and encouraged us to persevere.
“We’re reaching out to a number of other classes and pressing the College to commit resources to dig further and deeper into the data. Perhaps more importantly, we’ve invited the class of 2024 to join us in this effort. Join us in this process of exploration and discovery.”
Finally, I’m glad to note that the trustees are holding hearings to reevaluate the decision to eliminate the golf, swimming and diving, and lightweight crew teams. Jim Bayless swam 7 miles in the Connecticut River from Lyme, New Hampshire, to Hanover, along with three members of the women’s swim team to draw attention to this issue and raise money to fund the effort for reversal. Jim’s story appears in our latest class newsletter.
Please see the class obituaries at www.dartmouthalumnimagazine.com.
—Philip Stebbins, 17 Hardy Road, Londonderry, NH 03053; p.stebs@comcast.net