Celebrating 50

The damp, chilly weather did not deter 181 members of the Class of 1952 from taking their favored seats on Killian Court for MIT's 136th commencement. It was a first-time event for at least two members of the class-Collin Scarborough and John Small-who did not attend their own graduation in Rockwell Cage. Scarborough did not register for commencement, and Small was already back home in New York, getting ready to ship out to Korea. And for class marshals Amos Dixon and Allan Chin, it was their first reunion.

But it was the fifth reunion for the class's planning committee, which arranged for a smooth and eventful weekend. Chair Arnie A. Kramer, who also chaired the 25th-reunion committee, said the committee was thrilled by the turnout. "It's probably the last time we'll see each other as a group," he said. "There will be more reunions, but not with the same verve and enthusiasm. It's an extremely special event."

As evidence of that enthusiasm, 63 percent of the class's members contributed to the class gift of $13.1 million, which was presented to the Institute on Saturday at the Tech Day luncheon. Following festivities in Cambridge, 65 members of the class and their guests, 120 people total, spent a few days together at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, ME.