Class Note 1994
Greetings, fellow classmates, from one shelter-in-place home to another. I hardly know what to write in a column such as this one, especially since I’m writing it in April, but you won’t see it until the end of June. Who knows what will happen during a two-month period, and I’m certainly not going to hazard a guess. For the past six weeks I’ve been hunkering down in the greater Nashville area, following the news, thinking about friends, and reevaluating the importance of community support.
The value we place on community is one thing that most Dartmouth alumni have in common. The strength and dynamism of our community remain top reasons students choose Dartmouth over other fine colleges and universities. Even in the midst of this crisis, we still find ways to connect to this strong community in ways we didn’t imagine when we were new arrivals in Hanover back in September 1990.
Like many of you, Zoom has become a lifeline and necessity in work and fun. Just yesterday I connected with classmates Elissa Slovik Gaies, Marlyse Haward, Kelly Bell Lytle, Lorien Albala Somier, Gwin Pitman Teasdale,and Anne Jeffers Weber. My husband, Ken Davis, meets up for Wednesday Alpha Chi meetings, albeit virtually and 30 years later. There will be 10 to 20 brothers checking in with smiles and stories from all over the country, but I’ve yet to hear the promised singing from the boisterous crew. Ken confessed that, while he loves catching up with these guys, my friends’ conversations seem more intellectual and insightful. My response was, “Well, naturally.” (This is an invitation for a rebuttal!)
Seriously though, it’s easy to make time for a quick virtual happy hour in lockdown, but I am increasingly thankful for the energizing and hopeful connections and the solidarity of my Dartmouth community. I’d love to hear stories about how you are connecting with Dartmouth friends and groups during these weeks and months. I know some of you have time to share a story or two with me.
Stay safe, stay well, and stay connected to your Dartmouth friends.
—Laura Hardegree Davis, 520 Meadowlark Lane, Brentwood, TN 37027; lauradavis723@mac.com
