Class Note 1975
Issue
January-February 2023
In the last month I have been reminded of the power, joy, and continuing potential of our class connections from our time in Hanover.
Don Drakeman is a very successful biotech executive and entrepreneur. I have only tangentially touched the sectors in which he and his wife are experts, but occasionally I have the opportunity to work in that rarefied air and thankfully there are folks such as Don to bail me out. He and I connected on a small company where I was familiar with the founders and he reached out to see if he could be helpful. Thanks, Don!
With a business partner in Houston, I have formed a 501(c)3, The 1921 Institute, whose mission is to support the Black innovation and entrepreneurial community. There are a few initiatives active in this area (not enough), but there are few people more informed and connected in this effort than Jim Bildner. Jim was kind enough to share some of his experiences and insights with me and was able to connect me to some individuals who will be helpful as we build out our own network. Thanks, Jim!
A few years ago J. Alex Owen wrote a book titled Shwere Wasser. I hope you all ordered it as I did. Chris Carlson did not know how to get in touch with Alex regarding the book but knew to reach out to your trusty class secretary. I was able to connect these two and who knows what will come of it. It can only be something good when two ’75s get together. Thanks, Chris!
These connections also result in social connections and happy times. Larry Johnson was last seen hitting the bike for a 20-mile ride with Walt Evans inDallas. Keep it up guys—next time ride on down to Galveston.
Now ending on yet another happy note. Tom Delancey tells me, “I just read an article in Forbes that described how the U.S. News college ranking system was not particularly effective, and Forbes had a better idea: happiness. Dartmouth was No. 1 of the 50 schools in the ranking. This, of course, is not surprising to us. One of my best friends here in Louisville, Kentucky, is a local high school football coach. He recently had a kid who was being recruited by Purdue and Kentucky among others. At one point even a recruiter from Dartmouth came around. My buddy was greatly impressed because the recruiter was a much nicer, balanced, humble guy than most big-college recruiters. He even learned a new word from the guy, ‘Your kid? He’s a “take.” ’ ”
Vox clamantis in Tejas.
—Stephen D. Gray, 3627 Avenue M, Galveston, TX 77550; (650) 302-8739; fratergray@gmail.com
Don Drakeman is a very successful biotech executive and entrepreneur. I have only tangentially touched the sectors in which he and his wife are experts, but occasionally I have the opportunity to work in that rarefied air and thankfully there are folks such as Don to bail me out. He and I connected on a small company where I was familiar with the founders and he reached out to see if he could be helpful. Thanks, Don!
With a business partner in Houston, I have formed a 501(c)3, The 1921 Institute, whose mission is to support the Black innovation and entrepreneurial community. There are a few initiatives active in this area (not enough), but there are few people more informed and connected in this effort than Jim Bildner. Jim was kind enough to share some of his experiences and insights with me and was able to connect me to some individuals who will be helpful as we build out our own network. Thanks, Jim!
A few years ago J. Alex Owen wrote a book titled Shwere Wasser. I hope you all ordered it as I did. Chris Carlson did not know how to get in touch with Alex regarding the book but knew to reach out to your trusty class secretary. I was able to connect these two and who knows what will come of it. It can only be something good when two ’75s get together. Thanks, Chris!
These connections also result in social connections and happy times. Larry Johnson was last seen hitting the bike for a 20-mile ride with Walt Evans inDallas. Keep it up guys—next time ride on down to Galveston.
Now ending on yet another happy note. Tom Delancey tells me, “I just read an article in Forbes that described how the U.S. News college ranking system was not particularly effective, and Forbes had a better idea: happiness. Dartmouth was No. 1 of the 50 schools in the ranking. This, of course, is not surprising to us. One of my best friends here in Louisville, Kentucky, is a local high school football coach. He recently had a kid who was being recruited by Purdue and Kentucky among others. At one point even a recruiter from Dartmouth came around. My buddy was greatly impressed because the recruiter was a much nicer, balanced, humble guy than most big-college recruiters. He even learned a new word from the guy, ‘Your kid? He’s a “take.” ’ ”
Vox clamantis in Tejas.
—Stephen D. Gray, 3627 Avenue M, Galveston, TX 77550; (650) 302-8739; fratergray@gmail.com