Classes & Obits

Class Note 1978

Issue

September-October 2022

Just returned from our glorious 45th reunion. Kudos to reunion co-chairs Todd Anderson, Steve Adnopoz, and Barbara Kelly Hack and the reunion committee for making things run so smoothly.

Jim Bassett, Scott Brown, and Karen Fagerstrom deserve our thanks for writing the new class constitution voted into effect. Among other things, it allows for virtual class meetings and co-class officers, which will make it easier to transact class business. Speaking of which, we now have co-class secretaries, Rick Beyer and Anne Bagamery.

Rick: Anne, I so enjoyed reunion. What always strikes me is how quickly you can pick up the thread with people you haven’t talked to in years.

Anne: Remarkable how many people seemed to be coming for the first time—and how many conversations seemed to begin “I never got a chance to meet you during our four years, and it’s great to be in touch now.” But that’s Dartmouth—you never stop making new friends.

Rick: Welcome to the communications team. We are so lucky to add your extensive journalism experience and what, for lack of a better term, I will call “class spirit,” although that sounds like something out of a 1940s movie featuring students in raccoon coats.

Anne: I could have used a raccoon coat during the Saturday of reunion weekend, when the weather was perfect for a New England fall! Anyway, thank you for that warm welcome. I can’t wait to get started on writing must-read Class Notes, stepping into your hard-to-fill shoes.

Rick: Thank you! You’ll love the job. So many classmates continue to do endlessly fascinating things, it is fun to chronicle that. While you do the heavy lifting on Class Notes, I am going to concentrate on remembering classmates who have passed away. Sadly, we lose more and more each year. I will also work on special projects, such as the “D78 Conversations,” video interviews with classmates on our website.

Anne: That sounds like heavier lifting than I’m going to be doing, but a lot of people have told me how much they appreciate it. And, of course, my task will be much easier if people write and tell me what they are up to. I hope there will be more news than I can handle—and I can handle a lot!

Rick: Let’s not forget to give a shout-out to departing class president Barbie Snyder Martinez. Tough act to follow for new co-class presidents Jody Dietze and Chris Simpson Brent.

Anne: Barbie was the first woman in the class president’s chair. She did a terrific job and paved the way for other women to follow, beginning with Chris. I’m excited that so many other women are stepping up to class officer positions too. A reminder that we still have offices to fill—and Jim Bassett would love to hear from anyone interested in volunteering.

Rick: I’ll grab the last word. Help Anne come charging out of the block: Send news!

Rick Beyer, 1305 S. Michigan Ave., #1104, Chicago, IL 60605; rickbeyer78@gmail.com; Anne Bagamery, 13 rue de Presles, 75015 Paris, France; abagamery78@gmail.com