Class Note 1996

There is nothing like a global pandemic to challenge us, bring us all together (albeit socially distanced), and find the best in humanity. Even with much of the world on full lockdown, many of our classmates are doing amazing things to help society through an immensely challenging chapter in history.

Shannon Smith-Bernardin, a registered nurse scientist, has been doing a combination of academic work (research and teaching at University of California, San Francisco), consulting on homeless healthcare, and running National Sobering Collaborative, a nonprofit aimed at the challenges of public intoxication. “With Covid-19, there are so many of us putting all efforts into helping people who are homeless during the pandemic. (Ruth Morgan is her own rock star in this regard if she didn’t send an update!)” Shannon has been working on protocols for alcohol management—finding herself in the unique position of providing alcohol to individuals who regularly consume to allow them to successfully stay in isolation and quarantine units and not go through alcohol withdrawal (seizures, tremors, etc.), which can result in a stay in the emergency department.

Isabelle Klumpp, who during normal conditions works in the resort industry in Belize, has dedicated herself (and her family) to helping their adopted home get through these trying times. They have worked with other locals to establish the Hopkins Village Food Bank and provide relief efforts at a time when so many are suffering. Isabelle and her two sons have been working with the food bank to provide relief assistance throughout their community, feeding as many as 300 individuals on certain days. Isabelle encouraged everyone to check out their Facebook page (@HopkinsVillageFoodBank): “For any of you who have ever visited this beautiful country please consider donating. Thank you and sending love, health, and peace to everyone!”

Lynda (Cowin) Nijensohn has been running a local sewing group to help those on the frontlines of the Covid pandemic. Her group is up to an astounding 10,000 masks (and caps for medical professionals as well)! They have used their Facebook page (@MetrowestSews4Covid19) to produce, collect, and distribute masks to medical and broader communities in Wellesley, Newton, Needham, and other areas of Massachusetts. She also passed along that she’s been able to reconnect with a few Dartmouth folks, including Karen (Smith) Kahrl and her husband (also in the area).

Monica (Oberkolfer) Gorman,who is vice president for responsible leadership and global compliance at New Balance,has been working to lead that company’s production of face masks and other personal protective equipment in Massachusetts and Maine (her role is on the regulatory side; working with FEMA, the FDA, and others). She is also elated to report that a New Balance video that she produced two years ago was just nominated for an Emmy Award!

And despite all the craziness in the world around us these days, life must go on. Kerry (Fiacco) White announced that her eldest son, Thomas, would be enrolling at Eckerd College, after going “12 for 12” for his college acceptances. He will be studying marine biology and environmental science; he is “passionate about saving the oceans and Eckerd’s location on the beach in St. Petersburg, Florida, is perfect for him to get started.”

And, lastly, happy to announce that our own Nate Myers got engaged despite challenging Covid-restricted logistics. He had originally intended to propose in Versailles in May (in his words, “It did feel a bit cliché”). Amid the travel restrictions of the pandemic, Nate had to pivot and propose at home in New York City, which he relays “felt somehow more on-brand for me!” Spoiler alert: The proposal went “great” and the happy couple are now very much looking forward to their wedding next year!

Everyone, please continue to stay safe and healthy, and a massive thank you to all our classmates and extended Dartmouth community members helping combat the Covid pandemic from both the frontlines and behind the scenes!

—Garrett Gil de Rubio, 1062 Middlebrooke Drive, Canton, GA 30115; ggdr@alum.dartmouth.org