Class Note 1974
Issue
September-October 2024
Having completed our 50th reunion and survived a drenching at the 2024 Commencement, we are now classified as certifiably old. We didn’t stay up as late as we did five years ago, didn’t drink as much, and moved slower. But we packed a lot into three shortened days.
Under perpetually cloudy skies and constant threat of rain, we came together, more than 400, for our biggest hurrah since graduation June 9, 1974. On exactly the 50th anniversary of our own graduation, we would depart again as one, for many possibly for the last time.
Many of us arrived early on Thursday, some spending the day and evening at Moosilauke Ravine Lodge and sleeping in our 1974 Class Bunkhouse and others in Hanover, where we had a final class officers dinner after meeting at Pine in the Hanover Inn.
Registration began Friday morning followed by lunch with the class of 2024, but we came early, they came late, so interaction was unfortunately limited. This was followed by a panel presentation of our newest health equity scholarship. Working with The Dartmouth Institute (TDI) at Geisel Medical School, program director Inas Khayal and vice president of alumni affairs Cheryl Bascomb moderated the panel, which included three of our first student researchers. They discussed how they got involved with the program and their experience. The members of our class’s mortality working group presented the history and set up of the program in the foyer and answered questions. It was very well attended.
We had our formal class meeting, treasurer’s report, and election of new officers. This information is listed on our website. We discussed and elected Robert Holley, retired member of the Medical School’s development office, to honorary class membership in recognition of his role as sherpa, guiding us through Dartmouth’s bureaucracy to our final home at TDI with the health equity and access laboratory. We couldn’t have done it without him.
Dinner followed in the West Gym with special guest Emeritus Dean of the College Carroll Brewster. It was announced we raised $33 million during the last 10 years for Call to Lead, with $2.226 million for all three 50th reunion projects. Congratulations!
The memorial service was packed on Saturday morning at the White Church. Walt Singletary and Rocky Whitaker deserve congratulations for putting on such a great service.
The College provided a seminar from Middle Eastern faculty, “How to Foster Civil Discourse When You Disagree,” with professors Susannah Heschel and Tarek El-Ariss.
Matthew Whitaker, the young jazz prodigy (and Rocky’s nephew) gave a tremendous show with his five-piece band. Not as crowded as the memorial, but I suspect people wanted more fellowship time. Those who missed it should be sorry. Dinner followed in front of Baker Library, then back to the tent for a final night.
Sunday we tried to avoid getting soaked as we marched onto the Green for Commencement. Visibility was sharply limited by the sea of umbrellas and many fled to Collis to watch the streamed version. Our venerable newsletter editor Rick Ranger received his honorary degree of humane letters from President Beilock and Swiss tennis star Roger Federer gave his Commencement address.
The rains finally cleared as Commencement ended, and we all reluctantly dispersed. My biggest regret was not having enough time to talk to all the classmates I knew were there.
For my last Class Note, I’d like to give special thanks to president Matt Putnam, who made working with the class officers a delight; Jerry Bowe, who organized such a delightful reunion; Rick Sample, who answered all my questions about writing Class Notes; and Rick Ranger, who mentored me in writing and storytelling.
Until next time….
—Philip Stebbins, 17 Hardy Road, Londonderry, NH 03053; p.stebs@gmail.com
Under perpetually cloudy skies and constant threat of rain, we came together, more than 400, for our biggest hurrah since graduation June 9, 1974. On exactly the 50th anniversary of our own graduation, we would depart again as one, for many possibly for the last time.
Many of us arrived early on Thursday, some spending the day and evening at Moosilauke Ravine Lodge and sleeping in our 1974 Class Bunkhouse and others in Hanover, where we had a final class officers dinner after meeting at Pine in the Hanover Inn.
Registration began Friday morning followed by lunch with the class of 2024, but we came early, they came late, so interaction was unfortunately limited. This was followed by a panel presentation of our newest health equity scholarship. Working with The Dartmouth Institute (TDI) at Geisel Medical School, program director Inas Khayal and vice president of alumni affairs Cheryl Bascomb moderated the panel, which included three of our first student researchers. They discussed how they got involved with the program and their experience. The members of our class’s mortality working group presented the history and set up of the program in the foyer and answered questions. It was very well attended.
We had our formal class meeting, treasurer’s report, and election of new officers. This information is listed on our website. We discussed and elected Robert Holley, retired member of the Medical School’s development office, to honorary class membership in recognition of his role as sherpa, guiding us through Dartmouth’s bureaucracy to our final home at TDI with the health equity and access laboratory. We couldn’t have done it without him.
Dinner followed in the West Gym with special guest Emeritus Dean of the College Carroll Brewster. It was announced we raised $33 million during the last 10 years for Call to Lead, with $2.226 million for all three 50th reunion projects. Congratulations!
The memorial service was packed on Saturday morning at the White Church. Walt Singletary and Rocky Whitaker deserve congratulations for putting on such a great service.
The College provided a seminar from Middle Eastern faculty, “How to Foster Civil Discourse When You Disagree,” with professors Susannah Heschel and Tarek El-Ariss.
Matthew Whitaker, the young jazz prodigy (and Rocky’s nephew) gave a tremendous show with his five-piece band. Not as crowded as the memorial, but I suspect people wanted more fellowship time. Those who missed it should be sorry. Dinner followed in front of Baker Library, then back to the tent for a final night.
Sunday we tried to avoid getting soaked as we marched onto the Green for Commencement. Visibility was sharply limited by the sea of umbrellas and many fled to Collis to watch the streamed version. Our venerable newsletter editor Rick Ranger received his honorary degree of humane letters from President Beilock and Swiss tennis star Roger Federer gave his Commencement address.
The rains finally cleared as Commencement ended, and we all reluctantly dispersed. My biggest regret was not having enough time to talk to all the classmates I knew were there.
For my last Class Note, I’d like to give special thanks to president Matt Putnam, who made working with the class officers a delight; Jerry Bowe, who organized such a delightful reunion; Rick Sample, who answered all my questions about writing Class Notes; and Rick Ranger, who mentored me in writing and storytelling.
Until next time….
—Philip Stebbins, 17 Hardy Road, Londonderry, NH 03053; p.stebs@gmail.com