Lowell House to Give Memorial Dinner in Honor of Ex-President

Gracious dining will return to Lowell House tonight as members and guests will gather to commemorate the one hundreth anniversary of the late President Lowell's birth.

Lowell, President of the University from 1909-1933, was largely responsible for the establishment of the present house system.

Elliot Perkins '23, Master of Lowell House, has announced that the dinner will be "remeniscent of the manner in which Mr. Lowell believed that Harvard men should dine," a manner resembling that of a "gentleman's club."

To attain this goal, Perkins has ordered a brief restoration of gracious living in the fullest sense. The meal will feature wine, waitresses, table linen, and Lowell House china.

Besides the present members of the house, about seventy special guests are expected, including former members of the Corporation. All of the guests had worked closely with Lowell. As President, he totally re-oriented undergraduate life here. Before his stay in office most students were forced to live off campus in boarding houses or apartments, tied to the college only by their studies.

For years the former President strove to abolish these conditions which he viewed as a hindrance to the educational process. It was not until 1929, however, and the $13,000,000 gift of Edward S. Harkness that he acquired the necessary funds.

In the years following the gift, Lowell took an intense personal interest in the construction of the new houses. Not content with second hand reports, he would take daily strolls around the grounds to note the progress for himself.

The University at present retains much of Lowell's original scheme. His notion of a "gentleman's club," however, has been reserved for rare occasions.