Class Note 1994
Issue
November-December 2023
Hello, classmates! The countdown continues toward our 30th reunion. Thanks to our many classmates who have joined the reunion planning committee! There is always room for more volunteers, and we invite you to jump into the fun of reconnecting. If you have a few hours to help between now and June 2024, send an email to 1994dartmouthreunion@gmail.com to sign up.
As we think about all the reasons we love Dartmouth and consider our favorite moments, I’ll continue to toss out a “This or That” to gauge informally some of the preferred places, tastes, and times of our collective college experience. In the last column I asked whether you preferred Hop fries or Hop half-baked cookie bars. In my admittedly unscientific research, the resounding preference for Hop fries is clear. Case closed!
Consider now which iconic seasonal festival or time you loved most during your time at Dartmouth. Was it Homecoming, Winter Carnival, Green Key, or Sophomore Summer? It’s hard to pick just one, when every season is beautiful in Hanover, and every weekend saw connections and community strengthen. Alas, you may only pick one. Please reach out and let me know your vote.
In other news, Tim Wetherill shared an update on his career. After practicing medicine as a general and trauma surgeon for many years, Tim moved to Blue Cross Blue Shield, where he led utilization management transformation and responsible incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine. Most recently, Tim joined startup Machinify as the chief clinical officer. Machinify works to apply AI to healthcare to improve quality, safety, and cost for patients and consumers. I may be preaching to the choir, but Tim has demonstrated perfectly the importance of combining liberal arts education with STEM focus to be impactful in our changing world.
I also bring the sad news of the death of Alfred W. Patetta on June 18. Al came to Dartmouth from New Jersey after growing up in Kenilworth. He was an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and worked at the radio station WDCR/WFRD. Although Al majored in government, he had an ease with world language, fully engaged in the language departments and language study abroad opportunities at Dartmouth, and remained fluent in Italian throughout his life. He was also a wiz with investments. He spent the first several years of his career in Dallas as an equity trader for Coastal Securities. After an early retirement, he managed his own and others’ investments after moving back to his hometown of Kenilworth. Throughout his life he remained an active parishioner, devout Catholic, enthusiastic Dartmouth alumni interviewer, and long-time supporter of the National MS Society. He enjoyed exercise, loved his dogs, and devoted quality time to his family and friends. Al is survived by his daughter, Francesca, and sister Melissa Patetta.
Please remember to send your vote to my inbox and consider volunteering for our reunion committee. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
—Laura Hardegree Davis, 520 Meadowlark Lane, Brentwood, TN 37027; lauradavis723@mac.com
As we think about all the reasons we love Dartmouth and consider our favorite moments, I’ll continue to toss out a “This or That” to gauge informally some of the preferred places, tastes, and times of our collective college experience. In the last column I asked whether you preferred Hop fries or Hop half-baked cookie bars. In my admittedly unscientific research, the resounding preference for Hop fries is clear. Case closed!
Consider now which iconic seasonal festival or time you loved most during your time at Dartmouth. Was it Homecoming, Winter Carnival, Green Key, or Sophomore Summer? It’s hard to pick just one, when every season is beautiful in Hanover, and every weekend saw connections and community strengthen. Alas, you may only pick one. Please reach out and let me know your vote.
In other news, Tim Wetherill shared an update on his career. After practicing medicine as a general and trauma surgeon for many years, Tim moved to Blue Cross Blue Shield, where he led utilization management transformation and responsible incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine. Most recently, Tim joined startup Machinify as the chief clinical officer. Machinify works to apply AI to healthcare to improve quality, safety, and cost for patients and consumers. I may be preaching to the choir, but Tim has demonstrated perfectly the importance of combining liberal arts education with STEM focus to be impactful in our changing world.
I also bring the sad news of the death of Alfred W. Patetta on June 18. Al came to Dartmouth from New Jersey after growing up in Kenilworth. He was an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and worked at the radio station WDCR/WFRD. Although Al majored in government, he had an ease with world language, fully engaged in the language departments and language study abroad opportunities at Dartmouth, and remained fluent in Italian throughout his life. He was also a wiz with investments. He spent the first several years of his career in Dallas as an equity trader for Coastal Securities. After an early retirement, he managed his own and others’ investments after moving back to his hometown of Kenilworth. Throughout his life he remained an active parishioner, devout Catholic, enthusiastic Dartmouth alumni interviewer, and long-time supporter of the National MS Society. He enjoyed exercise, loved his dogs, and devoted quality time to his family and friends. Al is survived by his daughter, Francesca, and sister Melissa Patetta.
Please remember to send your vote to my inbox and consider volunteering for our reunion committee. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
—Laura Hardegree Davis, 520 Meadowlark Lane, Brentwood, TN 37027; lauradavis723@mac.com