The Class of '54, clad in academic caps and gowns, will march into Sever Quadrangle this morning at 10 a.m. to open the traditional Class Day Exercises. Yesterday 165 seniors received commissions at the Army, Navy, and Air Force ROTC ceremonies.
The procession today will be led by the Band and Class Marshals John F. Tulenko, John Culver, and Robert B. Hardy. Representatives from the various reunion classes will also march in the parade.
At the commissioning ceremonies yesterday Gen. Frank D. Merrill and Dean McGeorge Bundy were principle speakers as 68 Army and 34 Air Force ROTC students received commissions at Paine Hall. Assistant Secretary of the Navy James H. Smith, Jr. '31 spoke at the Navy exercises, where 63 students received commissions.
The Class Day program today will begin with a prayer by the Rev. E. Spencer Parsons, Acting Chairman of the Harvard Board of Preachers. Following the prayer, Joseph O. Mitchell will deliver the Class Oration, and David P. Chandler will read the Class Poem. The traditionally humorous Ivy Oration, co-authored this year by John G. Benedict and David Schwarz, will follow.
After a brief speech by Dean Bundy, Richard P. Waters, Jr. '34 will present the Ames Award for "self-reliance, character and leadership" to two seniors. The graduating class will then be welcomed to the Alumni Association by Alumni President John Cowles '20 and Frederic B. Whitman '19, President of the Associated Harvard Clubs.
After the First Marshal presents the Senior Class colors to representatives from the Freshman Class, the Class Ode will be ready by Kenneth J. Rockford. Class Chorister Robert J. McConaghie will lead the seniors in singing the Ode.
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