Class Note 1998
Issue
November-December 2024
Dear ’98s!
We are just a few short weeks from sealing our end-of-year time capsules. The year 2024 has been marked by joyous celebrations, heartbreaking goodbyes, charged debates, inspiring innovations, and unexpected explosions of happiness. Who knew one could experience perhaps all the emotions on the feeling wheel within such a short period of time? As we prepare to usher in a new year, it is a great time to take a break, reflect on our perfectly imperfect lives, and catch up with our fellow ’98s. Have you watched all the class of 1998’s “The Big Idea” discussion series spearheaded by Kelly Wardwell Ryerson and our class executive committee? This celebrated series has featured classmates including, to name a few, Dr. Lea E. DeFrancisi Lis (“No Shame in Raising Kids with a Healthy Sex Positive Self-Esteem”), Dr. Belinda H.Y. Chiu (“The Power of the Mind, Purposeful Play, and Compassionate Leadership”), Dr. Nita Farahany (“The Ethical Implications of Mind Reading Technologies and Their Potential Impact on Our Freedom of Thought”), and Dr. Peter T. Lanfer (“Finding Faithfulness in All the Wrong Places: Making Sacred Sense of Drunkenness, Deceit, and Debauchery in the Hebrew Bible”). If you are interested in a historical read to deepen your understanding of current events, check out Dr. Tikia K. Hamilton’s recently published essay for the Newberry Library titled “The Great Migration in Historical Perspective.” Of course, re-reading past Class Notes (find them online at dartmouthalumnimagazine.com) is another way to catch up on what your fellow ’98s have been up to. You, dear ’98s, are an impressive and resilient bunch!
I do not know if you are like me and have a soundtrack running in your mind whenever you sit down to do some creative writing. Well, the song that comes to mind as I write this Class Notes column is Rod Stewart’s “Forever Young.” And so, I paraphrase the song by saying as we navigate this thing called life, may the universe guide us down every road we walk and may sunshine and happiness surround us wherever we go in this world. May we approach our mid-lives with dignity and make the world a better place. May our guiding lights be strong. Let us be courageous and brave together and share memories and new experiences that keep us young. Finally, a big shout-out to Kristin H. Dwyer, who welcomed Baby Brooks into the world in August, reminding us of the beauty and enchantment of new beginnings.
Happy holidays and one love.
—Carline M. (Dorcena) Durocher, 137 Walnut St., Newton, MA 02460; cdurocher07@gmail.com
We are just a few short weeks from sealing our end-of-year time capsules. The year 2024 has been marked by joyous celebrations, heartbreaking goodbyes, charged debates, inspiring innovations, and unexpected explosions of happiness. Who knew one could experience perhaps all the emotions on the feeling wheel within such a short period of time? As we prepare to usher in a new year, it is a great time to take a break, reflect on our perfectly imperfect lives, and catch up with our fellow ’98s. Have you watched all the class of 1998’s “The Big Idea” discussion series spearheaded by Kelly Wardwell Ryerson and our class executive committee? This celebrated series has featured classmates including, to name a few, Dr. Lea E. DeFrancisi Lis (“No Shame in Raising Kids with a Healthy Sex Positive Self-Esteem”), Dr. Belinda H.Y. Chiu (“The Power of the Mind, Purposeful Play, and Compassionate Leadership”), Dr. Nita Farahany (“The Ethical Implications of Mind Reading Technologies and Their Potential Impact on Our Freedom of Thought”), and Dr. Peter T. Lanfer (“Finding Faithfulness in All the Wrong Places: Making Sacred Sense of Drunkenness, Deceit, and Debauchery in the Hebrew Bible”). If you are interested in a historical read to deepen your understanding of current events, check out Dr. Tikia K. Hamilton’s recently published essay for the Newberry Library titled “The Great Migration in Historical Perspective.” Of course, re-reading past Class Notes (find them online at dartmouthalumnimagazine.com) is another way to catch up on what your fellow ’98s have been up to. You, dear ’98s, are an impressive and resilient bunch!
I do not know if you are like me and have a soundtrack running in your mind whenever you sit down to do some creative writing. Well, the song that comes to mind as I write this Class Notes column is Rod Stewart’s “Forever Young.” And so, I paraphrase the song by saying as we navigate this thing called life, may the universe guide us down every road we walk and may sunshine and happiness surround us wherever we go in this world. May we approach our mid-lives with dignity and make the world a better place. May our guiding lights be strong. Let us be courageous and brave together and share memories and new experiences that keep us young. Finally, a big shout-out to Kristin H. Dwyer, who welcomed Baby Brooks into the world in August, reminding us of the beauty and enchantment of new beginnings.
Happy holidays and one love.
—Carline M. (Dorcena) Durocher, 137 Walnut St., Newton, MA 02460; cdurocher07@gmail.com