At last, a graduation ceremony

Cincinnati, OH -- The Class of 1944 returned to Hanover this weekend for its "Commencement That Never Was." Back in June of 1944 there was no Commencement at Dartmouth. And for good reason. Most of the intended honorees were not there.They were in Normandy, Saipan, Italy or Burma; on the high seas, in the wild blue yonder or and in fox holes far, far away from Hanover. The class had been together for less than 16 months when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, shortly after which the class was completely broken up because so many members went off to serve in World War II. But this weekend, as they celebrate their 50th class reunion and lead the Class of 1994 in its Commencement procession, surviving members of the Class of 1944 will hold their own Commencement. During a class banquet on Saturday, Richard Morse '44 who gave the valedictory address at the 1946 Dartmouth Commencement, reviewed his remarks in light of events since. Then, at the conclusion of the evening, Leonard Rieser -- a member of the Class of 1944 and provost of the College from 1967-82 -- donned his academic robes and presented to outgoing Class President William Hale a certificate signed by Dartmouth President James Freedman.