Class Note 1976

Just in time for holiday giving arrives the fabulous coffee table book Dartmouth Undying, coedited by our own David Shribman. In addition to stunning design and beautiful photographs, the 272-page tome is graced with Shribman magic as he personalizes the Dartmouth experience while capturing its spirit and history. One excerpt: “What does it mean to be part of an institution that has survived, then thrived, and then arrived at its 250th birthday? That you are part of a parade of men and women who were educated, not trained. That you have a reverence for the deep woods and for some of the highest peaks in the Northeast. That you are rooted in a specific place and yet have a global outlook….” (It is available at www.dartmouthundying.com.) I had the good fortune of running into Coleman Andrews at a New England wedding, even though he is currently based in California and Virginia. The last few decades of his life adventure included a chapter running South African Airways with the help of Ann Fritz Hackett. He shared highlights, including the life-changing opportunity for his family to spend time with South Africa President Nelson Mandela. Coleman continues as a board member of Achungo Children’s Center in western Kenya, where he participates in teaching, tutoring, and mentoring the vulnerable children of Achungo. Cynthia “Inky” Ford is wrapping up her last semester after close to three decades as a favorite professor at University of Montana School of Law. Craig Reininger recently retired from his 38-year career as a financial advisor and is looking forward to more time for all his projects and outdoor activities and, best of all, his new job as grandad. Bill Hutchinson is still selling wine and definitely not retired with his youngest still in college. I missed a few classmates who have Dartmouth siblings in my last column: Carolyn Johnson Allenby, Steve Routhier, Andy Shaw, Gordie Miles, Brita Sardella Reed, Jack Nicholson, and Ann Waugh Page. Thanks for emailing! I second David Shribman’s observation in Dartmouth Undying that “student friendships…remain the cement of the Dartmouth experience.” Check out Peter Dakin’sjoyous postings on our class Facebook page as he reconnects with classmates across the country or read about our recent record-breaking mini-reunion of 50 classmates plus spouses and partners. I’m moved by the countless instances of classmates helping each other. Julie Miller Shepherd, Denver school principal extraordinaire, is recovering from a broken femur and reports that friend Jamie Bergford traveled from Seattle to help her manage the early days of recovery. Julie herself spent years crossing the country to cheer her freshman roommate and lifelong best friend Marion Mustard,who waged a valiant battle with multiple sclerosis until her passing in 2008. We can all cite similar examples of classmate caring in the spirit of lifelong friendships formed at Dartmouth and President Kemeny’s Commencement exhortation: “Men and women of Dartmouth, all of mankind is your brother, and you are your brother’s keeper.”

—Sara Hoagland Hunter, 72 Mount Vernon St., Unit 4B, Boston, MA 02108; sarahunter76@gmail.com