Our big 70th reunion is fast approaching. The reunion committee under the aegis of Donna Reilly has been hard at work setting up a wonderful program for the weekend. As part of that program, Richard Cahn has arranged with the government department for a lecture by William Hitchcock, professor of history at the University of Virginia and the author of the bestselling book, The Age of Eisenhower: America and the World in the 1950s. Professor Hitchcock has accepted the invitation issued by Dartmouth’s Rockefeller Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences and our class to deliver a lecture on September 11 during our 70th reunion. His presentation will center upon the impact and significance of President Eisenhower’s “Don’t Join the Book Burners” speech, which President Eisenhower delivered at our graduation so long ago and Hitchcock extensively mentioned in his book. President Eisenhower had discarded his planned speech to speak extemporaneously addressing the nation regarding those who would destroy books that did not conform to their points of view. Professor Hitchcock has told us that he considers this invitation “a great honor” not only because he will “celebrate the reunion of the class that witnessed” President Eisenhower’s remarks, but also because Dartmouth has been enormously important to his family, as his father, David I. Hitchcock Jr. was a member of the class of 1950 and his grandfather was a member of the class of 1915. In addition, we will have a private session in the Hood at which Dartmouth’s extensive Native American collection will be on display. Bruce Duthu will speak to us in another activity. Once again, I emphasize, that all the events will be accessible to all and our stay at the Inn will be as guests of the College. More information regarding the schedule and events will be forthcoming in our ’53 Out. Please make your plans to be there, September 10 through September 12. I am sorry to inform you of the deaths of our dear classmates Joseph Stevens, Edgar Boody, and Frederick Gieg. We offer our condolences to their families.

—Mark H. Smoller, 401 Lake Shore Road, Putnam Valley, NY 10579; (834) 603-5066; dartmark@gmail.com