Salutations Etiquette

I figure it could go either way, but that using "Dr." establishes that you are aware of Dr. Soandso's other accomplishments.

Jp--

Do you have a copy of the way he signs himself? Check the college catalogue which should include a Letter of Welcome.

Is "it doesn't matter" a good answer?

When people forget one of my many titles and honoraria in their salutations in correspondence to me, I am big enough to pardon the offense (assuming it was unintentional).

I can't imagine any recipient being vain enough to even notice.

I bet "Mr. Soandso" would be fine.

Any of these makes absolutely no difference.

People with a lot of fancy titles frequently care a great deal, tho.

Yeah. And if one wants a favor of some kind from the person with the fancy title, one is well-served to use the fancy title.

I think the rule of thumb is to use the fanciest of the possible titles. So I think it would be "Dear President So-and-so," as fancier than " Dear Dr. So-and-so." (I'm not sure.)

it has to be doctor.

President is a temporary post.

How about "Dear Mr. President"? That avoids writing his name altogether.

And in the header:

"To the President of Mickey Mouse High School
Dr. Donald Duck"

I was gonna help, then I saw that the doctor's a quack.

That would be "Dear Dr. President" to you!

((I still think this is silly))

You've already stated as much e_brown, and when you write a letter you can care as much or as little as you want.

I think Soz said it best:

"And if one wants a favor of some kind from the person with the fancy title, one is well-served to use the fancy title."

Although I'm not sure about President being fancier... I'm leaning toward Dr. Soandso

He signed the letter:

First Name Last Name, D.C.
President
School name

What's "D.C"? Doctorate of something?

Oh, chiropractor...? If so, then I think you're right about "Dr."

The Government Printing office maintains a style manual that usually contains useful advice on matters like this. I just consulted the relevant chapter (PDF here).

Because this guide is published by the government printing office, all of its examples refer to federal government officials, so none of them applies exactly to JP's case. But I take it that "Mr. President" is reserved for the president of the United States. Having looked at the not-quite-but-almost precedents in the Manual, I think I was wrong in my first post. In JP's case, the correct way to address this gentleman (header and opening) seems to be this:

Donald Duck, DC President, Mickey Mouse High School [...] Dear Dr. Duck! [...]

I'm now pretty sure this is correct, especially since the header is consistent with the signature JP quoted. But I'll check my Chicago Manual of Style when I get home from work.

Yeah D.C. is Doctor of Chiropractic

I'd go with Dear President SoandSo, DC

It's more or less parallel to Dear Mrs. SoandSo, PhD., which shows both designations for a married woman (at least this is olden days talkin').

I had a sorority sister whose parents were both doctors. We did write to parents on occasion and at least according to her you had 2 choices:

Drs. Soandso
or
Dr. and Mrs. SoandSo, MD

Sounds like "Dr. Quack" is becoming more appropriate.

Thanks Jespah... that sounds like a good choice.

Hey Drewdad...thanks for reminding me why I don't come around A2K much anymore.

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Thanks to those who sincerely responded to my question, though.