Tufts University - Jumbo Yearbook (Medford, MA)

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Dean Schmidt is an active member of the campus. Here he attends Kids Day at Tufts. (above) Schmidt, Bouchard, and Belotti plot the fate of L.B.J.; (below) Schmidt studies Jumbo football follies.

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Alvin R. Schmidt He has two trademarks: a dour black cigar and a small piece of carpeting for his desk top. The two used together complete an accurate picture of the Dean of Men, Alvin R. Schmidt. The calm, firm, and self-assured Dean, puffing quietly on his stogie, legs fully outstretched, conveys a sense of repose that makes you wonder whether you had a problem before you entered his Ballou office. Dean Schmidt, in a word, is the “beginning.” All roads lead to his office. If you need counseling, information, or a lacing down, Dean Schmidt is still the first person you must visit. He does not deliver long platform orations in the Jonathan Edwards “sinners in the angry hands of God” style. There is no sarcasm, mordant irony, or flaying of arms. After stating the reason that prompts disciplinary action, he leans back into his chair and allows the bewildered offender to draw his own conclusions, realize his own mis¬ takes, enforce his own punishments. The Dean did not develop this style of counseling over- night, although he has believed in it all along. He served in a succession of counseling positions since his graduation from Tufts in 1948. Dean Schmidt went through Tufts in two years, under a special accelerated program and was graduated Phi Beta Kappa. Before being named Dean in 1960, he was Assistant Director of Counseling of Student Personnel, and Assistant Dean of Men. In much the same manner in which he maintains discipline, Dean Schmidt knows how to refuse anybody anything. He remains the University authority on How, and Why. Ex¬ pertly he can say “No” without making the student feel unfairly treated. More than one fraternity president has left his office mumbling to himself, “I don’t like the decision, but somehow I get the feeling that I made it myself.” Dean Schmidt, however, does not like to say (no), and this year has been a particularly memorable one in that he has not had to use his prerogative as often as before. The reasons for this are immediately recognizable. The mood created by the Jackson Self Study has allowed for more mature and free interchange between students, faculty, and the Administration. The atmosphere parallels a similar trend on campuses throughout the country—a trend which has directly involved students in all levels of University policy and decision-making. Tufts, this year, officially joined in this movement by admitting students as voting members of the Faculty Committee on Student Life and the Experimental College board. By the nature of his job, the Dean’s main function depends upon open exchange with students. The increased com¬ munication has made “more natural” his relations with his consulees. Since he is chairman of the Faculty Committee on Student Life, it is appropriate that this was the first com¬ mittee to extend voting rights to students. It is also fitting that this committee has broadened its scope from an organi¬ zations committee to a body that recognizes the importance of the non-academic and informal aspects of undergraduate life, since Dean Schmidt has long incorporated this attitude in his role as a Dean and a teacher. Other signs of a change in atmosphere that pleased the Dean came in differences in the men’s dorms this year. For the first time there is an added verve in the residence halls, not only in the new Wren Hall, but in a perrenial sorespot, Carmichael Hall. Part of this is due to the efforts of Assistant Dean Byrant Tolies; another part can be attributed to the dynamic faculty residents; but much of it can be attributed to the exprit de corps of the students who have presented films, recordings of Shakespeare, and a production of Dickens’ The Christmas Carol. Never allowing himself to remain static, Dean Schmidt appeared in a new role this year. Strongly influenced by Lady Bird Johnson’s Beautification Program, the Dean became the first unacknowledged University florist. As his first formal act, he personally chose the philodendrons which now grace Sweet Hall’s lounge. 14

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Frank A. Tredinnick Warmth. A lot of warmth. That is the way you react when you talk to Frank A. “Sandy” Tredinnick, Vice President for Development. This is felt most readily in his infectious sense of humor, which has always been a prominent part of his personality. After all, he is still the same character who, as an undergraduate, ran for mayor dressed in top hat and tails, sandwiched between two hulking great danes. He has yet to change. This year, at Emmanuel College, where he is a member of the advisory board, he appeared donned in that same attire. When one of the nuns questioned his formal dress, Mr. Tredinnick responded, “I heard I was coming to Emmanuel, so I thought I’d better put on my habit.” Sandy’s sense of humor comes across because he can wrestle words into an original turn of phrase. Mastery of the spoken language not only makes him a fine public speaker, but a mimic of the first caliber. He immitates so many people well that none of his impersonations stands out, except “Cardinal Cushing” which is performed with kindly reverence. A sense of humor, however, is only one manifestation of a substantial personality, and somehow you are never left unaware of Tredinnick’s underlying serious intensity. The Second World War was at its peak when he was Editor-in-Chief of the Weekly (1943). Those newspapers reflect an edgy campus depression and instability; yet his signed editorials contain a sobering sense of patriot¬ ism, and an attempt at buoying morale. The undergraduate editorials are con¬ sistent with Sandy’s open concern for people. In a group he is quick to react against any¬ thing which might hurt someone else. In fact, if pressed to pick the most unforgive- able daily human act, he would probably single out “harming another”—making an¬ other person less happy. His concern for Tufts is no less intense. Mr. Tredinnick has much to be happy about this year. Most important are the plans to make Tufts’ New England Medical Center one of the most advanced in the nation, through a $72.5 million dollar ex¬ pansion. Five years’ planning went into the blueprint. Construction will begin in 1968 on a Dental Health Science Building, a twenty story basic science building, several research buildings, a new library, and a pediatrics hospital. The Midas touch for fund-raising and communications does not come by accident. From the time he received his masters (in English, from Columbia, in 1947) until his apoointment to his present position at Tufts, he worked in a variety of related jobs— 16