Class Note 1953
Issue
January-February 2025
Editor’s Note: Secretary Mark Smoller wrote this column before his passing November 10, 2024.
Thirty-eight years ago, Connie and the late Howard Clery’s daughter, Jeanne, a freshman at Lehigh University, was raped and murdered in her dorm room. Devastated, the Clerys determined to devote their lives to improving the safety of college kids. They created the Clery Center and for many years lobbied the U.S. Congress to pass legislation that would assist in this regard. The subsequent Clery Act requires all colleges and universities to report annually any felonies that occur on or near their campus during that year. It has been in effect for many years now and has been a huge help in keeping our kids safe. This year Connie Clery, having met too many parents who have lost children because of hazing activities, determined to help alleviate this problem. Through the Clery Center, she has created the Stop Campus Hazing Act which she has been able to get to Congress. She called me to see if I, as class secretary, could get her some more senators to cosponsor the bill. I contacted every Dartmouth alumnus who is a sitting senator; all but one responded and was happy to cosponsor the bill. As of now, the bill has passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is awaiting approval by the Senate. Congratulations, Connie. I expect to report good news in my next column.
Ron Lazar has announced that our class meeting, which is to take place during Homecoming, will be accessible via Zoom to all class members who cannot be present at the meeting. We hope you will join us then. I note that the newly created Native American Academy held its first meeting. Congratulations and good luck!
Sadly, I report the demise of classmates Philip Fast and Thomas Dial and offer the condolences of the class.
—Mark Smoller, 401 Lake Shore Road, Putnam Valley, NY 10570
Thirty-eight years ago, Connie and the late Howard Clery’s daughter, Jeanne, a freshman at Lehigh University, was raped and murdered in her dorm room. Devastated, the Clerys determined to devote their lives to improving the safety of college kids. They created the Clery Center and for many years lobbied the U.S. Congress to pass legislation that would assist in this regard. The subsequent Clery Act requires all colleges and universities to report annually any felonies that occur on or near their campus during that year. It has been in effect for many years now and has been a huge help in keeping our kids safe. This year Connie Clery, having met too many parents who have lost children because of hazing activities, determined to help alleviate this problem. Through the Clery Center, she has created the Stop Campus Hazing Act which she has been able to get to Congress. She called me to see if I, as class secretary, could get her some more senators to cosponsor the bill. I contacted every Dartmouth alumnus who is a sitting senator; all but one responded and was happy to cosponsor the bill. As of now, the bill has passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is awaiting approval by the Senate. Congratulations, Connie. I expect to report good news in my next column.
Ron Lazar has announced that our class meeting, which is to take place during Homecoming, will be accessible via Zoom to all class members who cannot be present at the meeting. We hope you will join us then. I note that the newly created Native American Academy held its first meeting. Congratulations and good luck!
Sadly, I report the demise of classmates Philip Fast and Thomas Dial and offer the condolences of the class.
—Mark Smoller, 401 Lake Shore Road, Putnam Valley, NY 10570