Alumni Join Students for Classes

Two hundred and fifty alumni participated in the annual "Return to Harvard Day" yesterday, attending lectures, eating lunch in the Houses and joining undergraduates in a panel discussion on contemporary undergraduate life.

Alumni representing 11 classes from 1929 to 1979 visited the College as a part of their upcoming reunion held in conjunction with Commencement exercises.

The Alumni came "to see how it works, no frills, just the way it happens," said Diane Jellis, administrative assistant for the Harvard Alumni Association.

Impressive Lectures

A panel discussion with three Los Alamos Laboratories researchers on the birth of the atomic bomb in Science A-17 was, according to Polly A. Bradley '34, "strongly emotional and fascinating."

Sissela Bok's Moral Reasoning 24 was among the most popular lectures. "She was outstanding--clear and neutral--and she spoke in favor of good," said Clara Jameson '34. As alumni wandered leisurely around the Yard, they noted the gradual changes that had taken place over the years.

"In the 50's, the tuition used to average $600," said Dr. Jerome M. Listernick '54. "Lamont was a brand new, air conditioned library and of course we didn't have the Science Center," he added.

Virginia Townsend '34 said she enjoyed seeing the diversity of students as she walked through the yard. Radcliffe diversity used to be limited and "very carefully calculated not to be diverse," she said.

Although Townsend was impressed with the manner and appearance of both students and faculty, she recalled, "when I was a student, women used to wear hats and gloves in Harvard Square."

New Trays

The day proved uneventful for at least one alumnus who felt that the only noticeable change was in the dining hall trays. "They used to be round" said Daniel Kalikov '64.

The student panel at the afternoon symposium was greeted with mixed responses. "They were exceptionally bright and impressive," said Listernick.

But one alumnus was slightly more critical. The group contained "only a bunch of liberals," said Bradley.