Class Note 2004
Issue
January-February 2024
Hi, ’04s! Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season with family and friends. I know I’m raising a glass in anticipation that 2024 is your best year yet. Time moves so fast these days, so in the midst of celebration, I also hope you were able to reflect on the year past and the year ahead. One thing you must pencil in for this year is our 20th reunion! It’s hard to believe it’s almost been two decades since we graduated, so all the more reason to come back and visit the College on the Hill. And to help put us in the reunion mood, I am pleased to share the first class updates of the new year.
Megan (Fontanella) Remmelts shared that this past August she, Matt Burgess, and Jayson Remmelts met up in Minneapolis and attended the Minnesota State Fair. And this past September she, Carly (O’Connell) Abrahamson, Clare Gupta, Rachel (Holmes) Kelly, and Laura (Delaney) Nichol visited Robin (Deliso) Woodcock in Portland, Maine, for a mini-reunion.
Similarly, Caryn Karo, Rachel (Ringel) Lukoff, Gillian Morshedi, Kacie (Meager) Winterberg, and Lauren Wondolowski gathered in Nashville for a few days of fun, food, and reconnecting. It was the first time the whole group had been together in seven years! I hear the trip was a blast, and they are looking forward to being together again at the reunion in June.
I appreciate all of these ’04s for getting an early start on celebrating our upcoming 20th reunion and hope you had a wonderful time reconnecting!
On a more somber note, I am sad to announce that Philip David Leaman passed away on August 24, 2023, in Novi, Michigan. At the time of his passing Philip had an illustrious career in videography, culminating in his ownership of Standard Joy Productions. His many achievements in the field include collaborations with Martha Stewart, Sarah Carey, and Emeril Lagasse; filmed interviews with Henry Kissinger and Alan Alda; numerous celebrity videos in partnership with GQ Magazine, including Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony; several indy music videos, and award-winning submissions to the Copenhagen Film Festival, Ann Arbor Film Festival, and other notable film festivals. Beyond his professional life Philip was an individual of many interests and hobbies, such as immersing himself in a wide spectrum of literature and film. For “kicks,” Philip enjoyed playing soccer with his two nephews and would never miss an opportunity for a game of chess. Surviving Philip are his parents, Larry and Cindy; siblings Stephanie, Patrick, and Peter and their spouses; several nieces and nephews; and multiple other family members and close friends. Philip’s inspirational spirit will forever be remembered by those whose lives he touched.
Recognizing that time waits for no one, as we begin the new year and with reunion in six months, let’s all take some time to reconnect with Dartmouth friends near and far in the coming weeks ahead. I also know I am looking forward to seeing all of you at dear old Dartmouth in June. Have a wonderful start to your new year, ’04s, and talk soon!
—Johanna Thomas, 14 Logan Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20005; johannarthomas@gmail.com
Megan (Fontanella) Remmelts shared that this past August she, Matt Burgess, and Jayson Remmelts met up in Minneapolis and attended the Minnesota State Fair. And this past September she, Carly (O’Connell) Abrahamson, Clare Gupta, Rachel (Holmes) Kelly, and Laura (Delaney) Nichol visited Robin (Deliso) Woodcock in Portland, Maine, for a mini-reunion.
Similarly, Caryn Karo, Rachel (Ringel) Lukoff, Gillian Morshedi, Kacie (Meager) Winterberg, and Lauren Wondolowski gathered in Nashville for a few days of fun, food, and reconnecting. It was the first time the whole group had been together in seven years! I hear the trip was a blast, and they are looking forward to being together again at the reunion in June.
I appreciate all of these ’04s for getting an early start on celebrating our upcoming 20th reunion and hope you had a wonderful time reconnecting!
On a more somber note, I am sad to announce that Philip David Leaman passed away on August 24, 2023, in Novi, Michigan. At the time of his passing Philip had an illustrious career in videography, culminating in his ownership of Standard Joy Productions. His many achievements in the field include collaborations with Martha Stewart, Sarah Carey, and Emeril Lagasse; filmed interviews with Henry Kissinger and Alan Alda; numerous celebrity videos in partnership with GQ Magazine, including Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony; several indy music videos, and award-winning submissions to the Copenhagen Film Festival, Ann Arbor Film Festival, and other notable film festivals. Beyond his professional life Philip was an individual of many interests and hobbies, such as immersing himself in a wide spectrum of literature and film. For “kicks,” Philip enjoyed playing soccer with his two nephews and would never miss an opportunity for a game of chess. Surviving Philip are his parents, Larry and Cindy; siblings Stephanie, Patrick, and Peter and their spouses; several nieces and nephews; and multiple other family members and close friends. Philip’s inspirational spirit will forever be remembered by those whose lives he touched.
Recognizing that time waits for no one, as we begin the new year and with reunion in six months, let’s all take some time to reconnect with Dartmouth friends near and far in the coming weeks ahead. I also know I am looking forward to seeing all of you at dear old Dartmouth in June. Have a wonderful start to your new year, ’04s, and talk soon!
—Johanna Thomas, 14 Logan Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20005; johannarthomas@gmail.com