Class Note 1985
Issue
Jan-Feb 2020
I have been listening to the Hamilton soundtrack a lot lately. Setting aside the artistic brilliance, it keeps reminding me of the incredible foresight of our Founding Fathers in realizing the importance of limited government powers. The idea that each of the three branches, to protect its own authority, would act to keep the other two from becoming too powerful creates a balance of power that is necessary for a government to function, if it is to function well. Quite insightful for its time.
Here is a present-day novel idea: A high school social studies teacher in Louisiana decided to have his students debate the same questions voters are asking themselves about potential impeachment proceedings against the current U.S. president. Why? Because this teacher viewed it as a real-time lesson in civics and political science for the benefit of his students. What is more, this enlightened educator ignored typical concerns around hyperpolarization or pushback from parents because he recognized that almost all his students will be voting in the next election and they deserve teachers who do not shy away from current events because of our partisan climate. Who knows? Perhaps this teacher will claim credit for igniting the desires of a future office-bearer—maybe even a legislator who possesses a fundamental understanding of the balance of power in our system of government and who has also developed the skills with which to discuss, debate, and even disagree, without being disagreeable. Somehow this seems to be such a challenging notion today.
My apologies—I digress. But only because classmate news is slim.
So, regardless if these observations strike a chord or a nerve, one thing we can all agree on is to give a rouse for our very own Sue Finegan (a.k.a., Stella!). Sue has been nominated (likely, unanimously) by the Alumni Council to join the Dartmouth Board of Trustees in June. I will admit to being somewhat surprised to realize Sue was not/had not already served our alma mater in this capacity. But that is only because of her many years of Big Green service: as class president, club president, alumni councilor, Rockefeller Center board member, and Moving Dartmouth Forward committee member, as well as recipient of both the Dartmouth Alumni and Young Alumni awards. And then there is her day job: litigator and pro bono partner at Mintz in Boston. Sue serves as lead counsel on numerous high-profile pro bono matters and chairs the firm’s pro bono committee.
Recent classmate sightings include Tiger Shaw on the stage of New York’s Ziegfeld Theater in October. Tiger was promoting the dedication and abilities of the many talented alpine, Nordic, freestyle ski, and snowboard team members in his capacity as president and CEO of U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association. Raising his paddle in support of Tiger’s fundraising call at the annual benefit was our very own Bill Tyree.
Until our next column update, send us your news—we will print it here. All the best to all of you!
—Leslie A. Davis Dahl, 83 Pecksland Road, Greenwich, CT 06831; (203) 552-0070; dahlleslie@yahoo.com; John MacManus, 188 Ringwood Road, Rosemont, PA 19010; (610) 525-4541; slampong@aol.com
Here is a present-day novel idea: A high school social studies teacher in Louisiana decided to have his students debate the same questions voters are asking themselves about potential impeachment proceedings against the current U.S. president. Why? Because this teacher viewed it as a real-time lesson in civics and political science for the benefit of his students. What is more, this enlightened educator ignored typical concerns around hyperpolarization or pushback from parents because he recognized that almost all his students will be voting in the next election and they deserve teachers who do not shy away from current events because of our partisan climate. Who knows? Perhaps this teacher will claim credit for igniting the desires of a future office-bearer—maybe even a legislator who possesses a fundamental understanding of the balance of power in our system of government and who has also developed the skills with which to discuss, debate, and even disagree, without being disagreeable. Somehow this seems to be such a challenging notion today.
My apologies—I digress. But only because classmate news is slim.
So, regardless if these observations strike a chord or a nerve, one thing we can all agree on is to give a rouse for our very own Sue Finegan (a.k.a., Stella!). Sue has been nominated (likely, unanimously) by the Alumni Council to join the Dartmouth Board of Trustees in June. I will admit to being somewhat surprised to realize Sue was not/had not already served our alma mater in this capacity. But that is only because of her many years of Big Green service: as class president, club president, alumni councilor, Rockefeller Center board member, and Moving Dartmouth Forward committee member, as well as recipient of both the Dartmouth Alumni and Young Alumni awards. And then there is her day job: litigator and pro bono partner at Mintz in Boston. Sue serves as lead counsel on numerous high-profile pro bono matters and chairs the firm’s pro bono committee.
Recent classmate sightings include Tiger Shaw on the stage of New York’s Ziegfeld Theater in October. Tiger was promoting the dedication and abilities of the many talented alpine, Nordic, freestyle ski, and snowboard team members in his capacity as president and CEO of U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association. Raising his paddle in support of Tiger’s fundraising call at the annual benefit was our very own Bill Tyree.
Until our next column update, send us your news—we will print it here. All the best to all of you!
—Leslie A. Davis Dahl, 83 Pecksland Road, Greenwich, CT 06831; (203) 552-0070; dahlleslie@yahoo.com; John MacManus, 188 Ringwood Road, Rosemont, PA 19010; (610) 525-4541; slampong@aol.com