Having no class news, let me comment on a College happening that has special meaning for 1939. Thayer Dining Hall was built while we were undergraduates and opened for business in our junior year (1937). Starting this past June Thayer is undergoing a major renovation with completion scheduled for fall 2011. Primary funding is a $12 million gift from the class of 1953, and the building has already been officially renamed the Class of 1953 Commons. The renovated structure will have a more modern architectural design, increased space for eating and studying and new energy efficiencies that will eventually repay the renovation costs. I’m not sure how this will work out, but students will continue to eat at the Class of 1953 Commons during reconstruction.


The original plan had been to demolish Thayer and build a new dining hall at the same location. This intention was undermined by the severe financial problems of the past two years. Likewise, the class of 1953 fund was originally intended for building a new dining facility elsewhere on campus, but budget cuts forced utilization of this fund for renovation of Thayer. During construction great care will be taken to preserve the famous Eleazar Wheelock murals in the basement of Thayer, and the murals will continue to be on display whenever alumni are in town: Homecoming, reunion week, etc.


I regret to report that classmate Ken Ritchie, 92, died February 1 in Concord, Massachusetts. Our sympathy and condolences go out to Ken’s family.


—Robert L. Kaiser, 37 Rayton Road, Hanover, NH 03755; (603) 643-4320