Giving of oneself is a strong characteristic of great leadership. Sharing what you have with others leaves a mark, an indelible memory and feeling, that strengthens the receiver’s resolve. Moms do this, dads do this, brothers and sisters and friends too. If we are very fortunate, someone unrelated will see something special in us and encourage us to think high to rise. Jeff Healy has had the privilege of interviewing many first-generation students from the Los Angeles area for Dartmouth through the decades and has seen many matriculate and one serve as this year’s valedictorian. In her speech, available at dartmouth.edu, she credited a Dartmouth environment that fosters community, the Dartmouth first-generation office, inclusive student organizations, and faculty for making her feel she “belonged.” She will follow her mother’s advice to “walk forward with confidence” and recommended the same to all her classmates.

Former assistant athletic director Aggie Kurtz started five women’s teams from scratch in 1972 and continued coaching squash until 1989. At the recent celebration of 50 years of women’s athletics, Hallidie Haid, Annabelle Brainard Canning, Jenny Toolin McAuliffe, and Lolly Bates honored the memory of their coach who gave so much to them and to all women’s programs since.

Byron Boston recalls that several St. Louis, Missouri, Dartmouth alums offered sage advice to him regarding career paths in the financial world that led ultimately to his present role as CEO of Dynex Capital, a real estate investment trust company. This year he has had great interest in an internship he started at Dynex designed to introduce Dartmouth undergrads to the many facets of his company.

Scott Stuart serves as the chairman of the board of trustees of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where he has recently recruited an extraordinary surgeon scientist, Dr. Selwyn Vickers, to function as president and CEO. Scott chose him in part for his “charismatic and compassionate leadership style” and his “proven track record of success strengthening clinical care and building innovative research programs.” Thirty years ago we worked together and he is special for sure.

Several classmates help others directly though their example and insights. Jeff Kemp promotes high-level friendships and pride in fatherhood through a variety of media, including his website, MenHuddle.com.

We are fortunate to be able to give to others in the ways we do. Let us go forward with confidence in our role to inspire and to give to others as recommended by the 2022 valedictorian.

—Emil Miskovsky, P.O. Box 2162, North Conway, NH, 03860; emilmiskovsky@gmail.com; Ann Jacobus Kordahl, P.O. Box 470443, San Francisco, CA, 94147; ajkordahl@gmail.com