Happy Birthday, Dear Dudley . . .

Scholars raised toasts and 260 guests munched on lobster in a celebration of Dudley House's Golden Anniversary at Lehman Hall last night.

"We made it. We are 50 years old!" Dudley Master Arthur Loeb told the gathering, many of whom were current and past affiliates of the non-resident house.

The grand candlebras shone and the birthday banners flew above the hall, as the guests dined on chilled cucumber soup, beef and lobster. The evening's events included a flaming birthday cake, a performance by the Harvard Krokodiloes and a nostalgic slide presentation of Dudley's past.

"Quite a contrast to when commuters gathered in what we called 'The Black Hole of Calcutta'!" said Bob Fischelis, the last head of Dudley before it became a house in 1958.

Agreed Joshua Thayer '87, "When we transferred here we weren't allowed in the other houses, so we became members of this house, but over time we've become proud to be Duds!"

Thomas Crooks, a former Dudley House Master, proposed toast after toast to the "marvellous bunch of pioneers" who made Dudley what it is today. The guests, among them various deans and masters, rose for the final Happy Birthday toast "to all the members of Dudley-past, present and future."

Reginald Phelps '30, the second graduate secretary of Dudley, said before the event, "I'm confident of the future. If you can go on for fifty years, you can go on forever."