Classes & Obits

Class Note 1989

Issue

September-October 2020

By the time you read this in late August, some students will be preparing to return to Dartmouth and some will be preparing to take classes virtually. We still don’t know at this writing how it will be decided, but for ’24s, their first year will be radically different than our first year in Hanover. It’s unclear how first-year trips will be made up, but I’m hoping that Homecoming can happen October 2 safely for students and alumni by then.

I’m writing this at the end of June and so much has happened since May 2, when I submitted our Class Notes for July/August. We were only 45 days into Covid-19 lockdown and George Floyd and Breonna Taylor were still alive. Suddenly, posting pictures of our kids, what I’m grilling, or cars seems less important. I know that fellow ’89s are hurting, and I want to understand and help. I want to listen and learn.

Our 30th reunion theme of “Many Roads, One Spirit” seems incredibly pertinent, now more than ever. Our diversity and ability to respect the different roads classmates took to get to Dartmouth as well as the roads they have traveled afterward are all valid, we are united as one under Dartmouth. Our voices may be different, and it’s worthwhile to respect other voices and also understand how our words may affect others.

Our own ’89 Cares group has been there for fellow classmates suffering from individual or community loss, and I want to reiterate that ’89 Cares is here to assist any of our classmates in need. You can reach it on our class site at 1989.dartmouth.org.

Again, I know I don’t have the answer, but I’m willing to be in conversations that may be uncomfortable, because I know my discomfort is slight in comparison to others. I look forward to our Saturday Zoom calls to have many conversations—difficult or not—with all of our classmates together. I’ll continue to post the details in our class Facebook page and class emails from time to time. The frequency may have changed by October, but I think the need will still be there to connect with classmates around the girdled earth, and we will make it happen.

I regret to inform the class that Dennis Donnelly passed away on June 5. Dennis’ full obituary is on our 1989 class page and you can send me any remembrances of Dennis to add to the “Class Reflections” on his page.

Ned Ward, 2104 Graham Ave., #B, Redondo Beach, CA 90278; ned@nedorama.com