Rich Calvert ’50 recently sent his class correspondents a copy of his Look magazine from January 6, 1948, highlighting an article titled “Exeter Drops the Old School Tie: The 116-Year-Old Boys School Has a Tradition of Democracy.” We felt it was worth sharing with a wider audience.
In words and pictures of classrooms, debate meetings, sports practices and pillow fights, the article provides an intimate snapshot of the school at a time when the world at large was concerned with the Cold War, the Nuremberg trials and Gary Cooper.
Look also printed a poll taken among 659 students, including Calvert. Here are a couple of the questions and the responses: Do you think religious training is an essential part of your education?” Yes: 502. No: 184. Which is most important in your future — money, fame or the respect of your community? Money: 87. Fame: 44. Community respect: 534.
“Students’ opinions are conservative,” it declares.