Class Note 1978
Issue
Burke Whitman resigned last September as CEO of Health Management Associates Inc. to accept a recall to active military duty. He writes, “My first assignment has been in the Pentagon as senior action officer for the greater Middle East region, where I have helped shape national strategy and policy during a period of transition in the region and in our U.S. presidential administration. My second mission (May through early 2010) is to serve with the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade in Afghanistan as Afghan forces officer. I am responsible for partnering with Afghan forces in our combined operations and for mentoring to enhance their capacity and capability. The call to serve again with our terrific young military members has been irresistible. The service and leadership opportunities have been rewarding, and I expect they will continue to be. I look forward to staying in touch! Semper fidelis, Burke Whitman, colonel, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.” E-mail Burke at burkewhitman@yahoo.com.
Carol Hillman Van Dyke reports: “At the DOC Centennial Celebration Woodsmen’s Weekend held in April in Hanover several ’78s competed as part of the mature chubber/over-50 alumni teams. Competing on the Wicked Wussies women’s team were Holley Allen ’79, Amy Haak ’80, Cay Wieboldt Kendrick, Joan Crane Barthold ’79, Lex Bond Bundschuh, Carol Hillman Van Dyke and Laurel Smith Donahue ’80. Though alumnae results are not official, Cay won the chain-throw event and Carol and Lex teamed up to win the doubles canoe event. Competing on what became affectionately referred to as the Old Farts team: George Kendrick ’77, Chris Mumford ’77, Chuck Sherman ’66, Neil Van Dyke ’76, Steve Thompson, Put Blodgett ’53, Pete Bundschuh and Jim Stein ’79. Many thought this was one of the best post-graduation gatherings ever, and everyone enjoyed mingling among the great u-grads.”
Excerpted from the Providence Journal: “U.S. Attorney Robert Corrente will step down as Rhode Island’s top federal prosecutor in June 2009.” As he stated: “It has been a great privilege to have served the country, the Department of Justice and especially the people of Rhode Island.” During his tenure, which began in 2004, Corrente led Operation Dollar Bill, the long-running statehouse influence-peddling probe that landed several Rhode Island state officials in federal prison for selling their offices. Bob will return to private practice in July.
Dr. William Dexter, director of Maine Medical Center’s family medicine-sports medicine program, recently was presented the Governor’s Council on Physical Activity Lifetime Achievement Award. Bill becomes only the fourth Mainer to receive the honor since its inception in 1999. Bill was chosen because of his extraordinary contributions to fitness programs in the state as well as his special role as a teacher of sports medicine to fellows and residents at the hospital. “Dr. Dexter brings a vision and passion to his work that’s truly contagious,” says Ann Skelton, M.D., chief of family medicine at Maine Medical Center. Congratulations, Bill!
—Dave Hov, 7840 Virginia Oaks Drive, Gainesville, VA 20155; (571) 261-3580; davidhov@comcast.net
Sept - Oct 2009
Burke Whitman resigned last September as CEO of Health Management Associates Inc. to accept a recall to active military duty. He writes, “My first assignment has been in the Pentagon as senior action officer for the greater Middle East region, where I have helped shape national strategy and policy during a period of transition in the region and in our U.S. presidential administration. My second mission (May through early 2010) is to serve with the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade in Afghanistan as Afghan forces officer. I am responsible for partnering with Afghan forces in our combined operations and for mentoring to enhance their capacity and capability. The call to serve again with our terrific young military members has been irresistible. The service and leadership opportunities have been rewarding, and I expect they will continue to be. I look forward to staying in touch! Semper fidelis, Burke Whitman, colonel, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.” E-mail Burke at burkewhitman@yahoo.com.
Carol Hillman Van Dyke reports: “At the DOC Centennial Celebration Woodsmen’s Weekend held in April in Hanover several ’78s competed as part of the mature chubber/over-50 alumni teams. Competing on the Wicked Wussies women’s team were Holley Allen ’79, Amy Haak ’80, Cay Wieboldt Kendrick, Joan Crane Barthold ’79, Lex Bond Bundschuh, Carol Hillman Van Dyke and Laurel Smith Donahue ’80. Though alumnae results are not official, Cay won the chain-throw event and Carol and Lex teamed up to win the doubles canoe event. Competing on what became affectionately referred to as the Old Farts team: George Kendrick ’77, Chris Mumford ’77, Chuck Sherman ’66, Neil Van Dyke ’76, Steve Thompson, Put Blodgett ’53, Pete Bundschuh and Jim Stein ’79. Many thought this was one of the best post-graduation gatherings ever, and everyone enjoyed mingling among the great u-grads.”
Excerpted from the Providence Journal: “U.S. Attorney Robert Corrente will step down as Rhode Island’s top federal prosecutor in June 2009.” As he stated: “It has been a great privilege to have served the country, the Department of Justice and especially the people of Rhode Island.” During his tenure, which began in 2004, Corrente led Operation Dollar Bill, the long-running statehouse influence-peddling probe that landed several Rhode Island state officials in federal prison for selling their offices. Bob will return to private practice in July.
Dr. William Dexter, director of Maine Medical Center’s family medicine-sports medicine program, recently was presented the Governor’s Council on Physical Activity Lifetime Achievement Award. Bill becomes only the fourth Mainer to receive the honor since its inception in 1999. Bill was chosen because of his extraordinary contributions to fitness programs in the state as well as his special role as a teacher of sports medicine to fellows and residents at the hospital. “Dr. Dexter brings a vision and passion to his work that’s truly contagious,” says Ann Skelton, M.D., chief of family medicine at Maine Medical Center. Congratulations, Bill!
—Dave Hov, 7840 Virginia Oaks Drive, Gainesville, VA 20155; (571) 261-3580; davidhov@comcast.net