The Class of 1978 Life Sciences Center dedication and mini-reunion November 4-6, 2011, was a huge success. Classmates have already received the special newsletter full of pictures and people from the event. Others can find the newsletter online at the 1978 class website, www.dartmouth.org/classes/78. Thanks to all who participated, and especially to the many who helped plan and execute this great weekend.


In other Upper Valley news (courtesy of the Valley News) “Bill Bender’s company Sola-flect recently won one of two awards nationwide from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop the next generation of ‘concentrated solar power’ technology. Bender’s innovative design cuts costs by using 65 percent less steel than traditional solar installations. A Rutland [Vermont] native, Bender first took a solar technology course while in college. Then he largely forgot about it, working instead as an international consultant for food and nutrition policy in developing countries and founding a successful web analytics company. When he, his wife and their four children (now ages 7 to 19) bought a house in Norwich [Vermont] in 2000 he realized that the sunny, south-facing roof of his hilltop home would be ideal for a home solar installation. So, with his children’s help, he began tinkering in the back yard, now a test site for mirrored panels that reflect and concentrate sunlight, much like a giant magnifying glass, which concentrate enough light to heat a black metal receiver to 800 degrees Fahrenheit, or to start a piece of plywood smoking in less than two minutes.”


As undergrads, Mark Hartman and I used to share rides to Hanover from Connecticut, as well as singing in the Glee Club. In response to one of my shameless inquiries for news, Mark wrote: “I have a new position in the global patient safety organization at Eli Lilly and Co. in Indianapolis, Indiana. I am responsible for all safety aspects of a drug in development that Lilly hopes will be a major advance in the treatment of diabetes. After not singing much since the Dartmouth Glee Club, I am singing again in two choirs through my church—and loving every minute of it! My wife, Laurie (Komornik) Hartman ’80 continues to work as director of care at Grace Community Church in Noblesville, Indiana, where she applies her skills as a counselor in a pastoral context. We have three adult children. David, 26, is married with one son (our first grandson!); he and his wife are preparing to serve as missionaries in a community development capacity in a South Asian country. Marian, 23, is teaching English as a second language and is planning to pursue graduate studies in sociolinguistics. Lisa, 20, is a sophomore at Purdue University and is studying elementary education.”


This DAM will be arriving in your mailbox around Winter Carnival, and my next deadline is February 28, so go to your computer or writing desk right now and send me your favorite Carnival reminiscences.


—Dave Hov, 6742 Towne Lane Road, McLean, VA 22101; (571) 643-8040; davidthov@gmail.com