“The Class Officer Association’s executive board and alumni relations recognizes the class of 1982 for originating and launching the ’82 Racial Justice Initiative supporting the African and African-American studies academic enrichment fund and rallying other classes, alumni organizations, and individuals across the Dartmouth community to support the initiative.” This commendation was presented to our class during the annual Volunteer Officers Experience (VOX) weekend in October—the second one conducted virtually. Vice President for Alumni Relations Cheryl Bascomb welcomed all alumni with a Zoom background of the Homecoming bonfire, leaving many of us feeling nostalgic and longing for Hanover. Many of your class officers attended the various workshops and presentations, including breakout sessions with alums from other classes, clubs, affiliated/shared interest groups, and Women of Dartmouth. We even got to play Pictionary using Dartmouth-related emojis. Jenny Chandler Hauge, Barry Caldwell, and George Thompson spoke to the President/Vice President Officer Association about the racial justice initiative. Since there were no individual officer awards for the second year, Carol Davis continues her reign as Class Newsletter Editor of the Year—although there might be an asterisk next to her name in the Dartmouth history books. We all hope that next year’s VOX weekend will take place in Hanover!

Another highlight from this year’s VOX weekend was watching a video of Tee Lotson inviting everyone to attend next year’s 50th anniversary celebration of the founding of the Black Alumni of Dartmouth Association (BADA). Tee promises this will be an event not to miss! So plan to be in Hanover May 26-30. This year is also the 50th anniversary of coeducation and the founding of the Native American studies program.

Speaking of anniversaries, MTV was launched 40 years ago on August 1, 1981. How many of you can remember the very first music video that you saw? Jon Thompson writes, “I spent far too many hours in the [Sigma Alpha Epsilon] ‘tube room’ marveling at the new music video medium…and crushing on cute VJ Martha Quinn.” Hal Sandstrom remembers “Gloria” by U2 as the first music video that he saw. Ronn LaBrasca shares, “I don’t recall my first MTV video, but I remember liking the creativity in some of Peter Gabriel’s videos.” Alex Blumrosen adds, “I thought MTV would be a fly-by-night flop. Wrong again!” And Betsy Kingsbury Dowd admits, “I actually never watched MTV!” My own memory is going into Collis Center after lunch at Thayer to check out this new “phenomenon” on its big screen TV and finding it so mesmerizing that I completely lost track of time. By the time I left, it was already dark outside!

Please remember that our next class reunion is not until 2023—since we will be clustered with the ’83s and ’84s. So put June 15-18, 2023, in your calendar now. I must close this column with the sad news that Jeff Given died on July 9, 2021. An obituary is available on the class website. Wishing you all a healthy and happy 2022!

—David Eichman, 9004 Wonderland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046; dme4law@sbcglobal.net; Jenny Chandler Hauge, 3506 Idaho Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20016; jchandlerhauge@gmail.com