Hello, classmates. Without giving away the surprise, your class officers—led in this case by Kipp Barker and Rick Zimmerman—are rolling out a fun exercise to connect you more to the College as we ramp up for our 50th. You’ll know it when you see it. As that singular reunion moves closer, Judy Csatari offered a look ahead, having attended her husband Tom’s: The class of ’74 50th reunion was a joyous occasion in which 400-plus classmates and guests came together for a celebration to remember. There were several ’74-’76 couples in attendance, including Susan Stine Felter and Joan Tyler Marable. Martha Hennessey and Lois Gadway Tow planned to attend but were unable to join at the last minute. And Nic Cols scoped out the inner workings of a 50th reunion. Unlike other reunions, there is no other class gathered at the College during the landmark celebration. There is less College programming, less carousing (the tent was empty by 11 p.m.), and less competition for meeting and meal venues, to name just a few noticeable differences. There was remarkable programming, including a panel discussing the importance of developing dialogue of differing opinions fostered by colleagues in the Jewish studies and Arab studies departments; a memorial service that went deep into memories of deceased classmates; a jazz concert that rocked the rafters of the Church of Christ, to name just a few. The 50th reunion class is a featured participant in Commencement as well. The ’74s marched onto the Green and sat together for the ceremony—or for as long as they could endure the steady rain and chilly temps. Traditionally, one of the honorary degree recipients is a member of the returning class, in this case Richard Ranger. In short, it was “different at Dartmouth” (a nod to Jean Kemeny’s 1979 memoir) for the ’74s’ 50th. It was a wonderful weekend of deep conversation, reconnection, and reminiscing. Our 50th is scheduled for June 12-14, 2026. Recent outreach to ask classmates to update their contacts resulted in news from Tish O’Connor: “I have lived in Santa Barbara, California, since 2001 and [lived in] Los Angeles for 20 years prior to moving there. I was active for a decade in alumni interviewing in Santa Barbara, which allowed me to meet other local alums. It would be fun to have a Dartmouth chapter on the Central Coast, which would also be a lovely location for a mini-reunion: I’d be willing to participate in organizing either or both. I enjoyed a 40-year career editing art books. I have volunteered for many summers at Music Academy of the West, which is essentially summer camp for 150 young professional musicians. I get to Europe and back to the East Coast in fall and spring and often enjoy California road trips. I have plans to visit Sicily in October; I will look at the alumni cruise to Croatia, as I have not exhausted my interest in that part of the world.” Jim and Martha Johnson Beattie’schildren surprised them at the Moosilauke Lodge in June to honor their birthdays. Among the classmates who joined the party were Cathy and Jack Brennan, Rick Hill, Julie Miner, and Hope Stevens Poor. If you haven’t seen Lynne Brooks’ pen, ink, and watercolor drawings and paintings, do check them out on Instagram—delightful. Please send news of yourselves and classmates to steve@stevebellcommunications.com. Ciao for now.

—Steve Bell, 15 Harbour Pointe, Buffalo, NY 14202; steve@stevebellcommunications.com