Class Note 1977

Alan Trefler, co-champion of the 1975 World Open Chess Tournament, is founder and CEO of Pegasystems. Alan has changed the software development landscape. He has created a $600 million public corporation with 3,000 employees across the globe.

Joanne Conroy has wintry news: “I have been the CEO of Lahey Hospital and Medical Center (formerly the Lahey Clinic) in Burlington, Massachusetts, for just over a year. Every time we have a big snowfall I lose about $1.5 million. My husband asked if last year was a normal snow. I said yes—he has Southern expectations.”

Alex Colvin is an adventuresome cyclist who reports from Fort Bragg on the California coast: “Part of a group of 10 cyclists on a six-week ride on the Pacific Coast, border-to-border. For personal reasons I had to join the group on the Washington-Oregon border. It’s a race to warmer climate against colder weather and shorter days.”

Empty-nester Scott Cameron (son at William & Mary, which Scott calls Dartmouth South) is staying busy running for local elected office, as a director of the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District board. “I just picked up the endorsement of the local League of Conservation Voters, not bad for a confirmed Republican. Classmates can check out my website or even make a contribution at www.friendsofscottcameron.com.” Scott’s wife, Holly is busy with a Detroit Tigers baseball blog.

Amy Cholnoky is splitting time between Montana and New England. She seems quite happy: “Still busy with Dartmouth and nonprofit work. John ’80 retired in 2014, so we spend half the year in Big Sky, Montana, enjoying fishing, skiing, hiking and the joy of clean jeans being our dress-up clothes! We are both on the board of trustees for the Nature Conservancy for the state of Montana, along with Maud and Jeff Welles. With three kids on the East Coast—J.B. ’08, Kari ’10 and Robbie ’13—we won’t be leaving New England anytime soon, but life in Montana is basically summer-winter camp for adults and we love it!”

Mike Toll is enjoying life in North Carolina, having moved 11 times in 30 years of marriage. An avid hiker, he is close to Mount Mitchell, a summit higher than Mount Washington or any along the Atlantic Seaboard. According to Mike, “My wife and I enjoy good health and portable jobs. Son and daughter both graduated from Boston University. Both enjoying respective professions of biology and hospitality management.”

John Donvan has co-written a new book, In a Different Key: The Story of Autism. John, who has three Emmys to his credit, casts his reporter’s eye on this persistent mystery that affects so many individuals and their families. This is an important book that is sure to spark a national conversation.

Jeff Cutts began his email with the thought that life happens. Here’s what’s happening in Jeff’s family: “Starting in March 2014 it’s been a merry-go-round. Birth of our first grandchild, Robyn, then the marriage of our oldest daughter, Bethany, on Memorial Day 2014, then our youngest daughter, Sarah, was married this past June. Just when we were ready to hit the pause button, Jeff Jr. announced his engagement and wedding this June. Retirement is not in my vocabulary! I continue to enjoy my new business development role at Xerox in human resources services group. I enjoy spending time with my expanding family and playing tennis and golf.”

John T. Bird, 1920 Chateau Circle, Apt. 306, Birmingham, AL 35209; (205) 276-4609; jtbird.com@gmail.com

Portfolio

Alumni Books
New titles from Dartmouth writers (November/December 2023)
Fresh Takes
Blogger Ray Padgett ’09 covers the covers.
The Secret Life of the Brain

Michael Gazzaniga ’61 divulges the inner workings of the human mind. 

Gail Koziara Boudreaux ’82
A CEO on the state of the nation’s healthcare

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