Class Note 1996
Issue
Sep - Oct 2018
It is with an extremely heavy heart that I must share the news of the untimely passing of one of our own. Andre “Dre” Junior left us on March 15 in Washington, D.C., after succumbing to multiple gunshot wounds; a D.C. man is under arrest and charged with first-degree murder while armed. Born and raised in Allendale, South Carolina, Dre and his family had resided in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. He is survived by his loving wife, Ericka Perry-Junior, young daughter Ava, parents Richard and Mary, and the extended Junior and Perry families.
Several of Dre’s Dartmouth classmates have started a GoFundMe campaign in support of Ava’s education (www.gofundme.com/andrejunior). In the months since his passing, the campaign has exceeded its initial goals for fundraising, but continues to collect donations in support of Ava. A page has also been added in his memory to the National Gun Violence Memorial site at www.gunmemorial.org/2018/03/15/andre-junior.
I feel the words from a few of our Dartmouth classmates themselves say it best: Dre “was a people person; never met a stranger. He created memories to last a lifetime with everyone…remarkable and irreplaceable!” He was “loved by fellow students, faculty, and administrators alike. This son of Dartmouth had a razor-sharp intellect, beautiful smile, and easygoing personality. It’s telling that many of his friends from all points of his life remembered him as ‘good people.’ That was Dre, good, good people.” Tracey Gainor shared the following with the class via Facebook: “Our hearts are very heavy, and we stand by Andre’s wife, beloved daughter, family, and friends. Andre was and will continue to be loved. Dartmouth ’96 loves you.” As beautifully expressed by Dre’s GoFundMe campaign and in the poignant words of another Dartmouth son (Dr. Seuss): “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” Rest in peace, Dre. Our thoughts and prayers are with your entire family as it contends with this senseless tragedy.
As life so often does, with great sadness comes great joy. I am pleased to announce several new arrivals to the extended ’96 family! First, I am happy to report the arrival of Vivian Camilla Grimm, who was welcomed into the world on March 13 in Seattle by her very smitten mother, Kelcey Grimm. Vivian joins her equally smitten older brother, Luke (age 4). Second, I am elated to introduce Tyler Robert Callahan, who was born on April 17 to our own Tara Callahan (who reports he is “8 pounds, 10 ounces, 20 inches, and as cute as can be!”). And last but certainly not least, I am excited to present Om Rajana Putta-Swamy, the first child for Kishan Putta and his wife, Divya. Om was born just in time for Father’s Day on June 9 in Washington, D.C. His first name represents the sound of symbol of eternal truth and knowledge and the inner self, and his second name means “brightening and illuminating” and represents a combination of all four of his grandparents. Welcome to all our newest class babies, who (if my math is indeed correct) represent some of the first members of the Big Green class of (gulp!) 2040! Finally, and with just a few words left of space in this month’s column, I am happy to congratulate (via his wife, Robyn Altman) Brendan Doherty on his promotion to full professor in political science at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland! Go, Navy!
—Garrett Gil de Rubio, 1062 Middlebrooke Drive, Canton, GA 30115; ggdr@alum.dartmouth.org
Several of Dre’s Dartmouth classmates have started a GoFundMe campaign in support of Ava’s education (www.gofundme.com/andrejunior). In the months since his passing, the campaign has exceeded its initial goals for fundraising, but continues to collect donations in support of Ava. A page has also been added in his memory to the National Gun Violence Memorial site at www.gunmemorial.org/2018/03/15/andre-junior.
I feel the words from a few of our Dartmouth classmates themselves say it best: Dre “was a people person; never met a stranger. He created memories to last a lifetime with everyone…remarkable and irreplaceable!” He was “loved by fellow students, faculty, and administrators alike. This son of Dartmouth had a razor-sharp intellect, beautiful smile, and easygoing personality. It’s telling that many of his friends from all points of his life remembered him as ‘good people.’ That was Dre, good, good people.” Tracey Gainor shared the following with the class via Facebook: “Our hearts are very heavy, and we stand by Andre’s wife, beloved daughter, family, and friends. Andre was and will continue to be loved. Dartmouth ’96 loves you.” As beautifully expressed by Dre’s GoFundMe campaign and in the poignant words of another Dartmouth son (Dr. Seuss): “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” Rest in peace, Dre. Our thoughts and prayers are with your entire family as it contends with this senseless tragedy.
As life so often does, with great sadness comes great joy. I am pleased to announce several new arrivals to the extended ’96 family! First, I am happy to report the arrival of Vivian Camilla Grimm, who was welcomed into the world on March 13 in Seattle by her very smitten mother, Kelcey Grimm. Vivian joins her equally smitten older brother, Luke (age 4). Second, I am elated to introduce Tyler Robert Callahan, who was born on April 17 to our own Tara Callahan (who reports he is “8 pounds, 10 ounces, 20 inches, and as cute as can be!”). And last but certainly not least, I am excited to present Om Rajana Putta-Swamy, the first child for Kishan Putta and his wife, Divya. Om was born just in time for Father’s Day on June 9 in Washington, D.C. His first name represents the sound of symbol of eternal truth and knowledge and the inner self, and his second name means “brightening and illuminating” and represents a combination of all four of his grandparents. Welcome to all our newest class babies, who (if my math is indeed correct) represent some of the first members of the Big Green class of (gulp!) 2040! Finally, and with just a few words left of space in this month’s column, I am happy to congratulate (via his wife, Robyn Altman) Brendan Doherty on his promotion to full professor in political science at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland! Go, Navy!
—Garrett Gil de Rubio, 1062 Middlebrooke Drive, Canton, GA 30115; ggdr@alum.dartmouth.org