Hi, ’07s!


This is my first Class Notes, written just after our fifth-year reunion (so much fun!), and I thought a good way to say good-bye to the last five years and hello to the next five is to have our outgoing president, Luke Antal, say some words and then to introduce our new executive committee members to learn a little more about them.


First, Luke: “It’s been a real pleasure and honor to serve as class president the last five years. I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the classmates who volunteered during the last five years. It is because of your time and effort that we have established ourselves as the greatest class ever. I would also like to encourage everyone to volunteer for Dartmouth, as it has been an extremely rewarding experience. Ways you can get involved now are to join the Dartmouth College Fund volunteers by e-mailing John Valdez, our new class president, at valdez.john.e.@gmail.com and simply showing interest. There are many ways to volunteer, each having a unique set of responsibilities and levels of commitment.”


Our new treasurer, Derrick Smith: “In June 2011 I was sitting in Collis 101 hosting an annual phone-a-thon with a bunch of ’07s trying to bring in gifts for the Dartmouth College Fund for their year-end goals. I made a joke about how I raise so much money for them as a volunteer they should just pay me full time! I was told there was no job for me in development at the moment, but that there may be opportunities in alumni relations. A year later I find myself sitting in Blunt Hall on the Dartmouth campus and I could not be happier. My return to the Big Green seems almost magical, and I find myself falling in love with our campus and College all over again every day.”


Next, our new vice president, Janelle Braverman: “Hi, everyone! Since graduation I’ve worked as an admissions officer for Dartmouth, got an M.Sc. from London School of Economics, worked in sales and now am an independent college advisor. Throughout it all Dartmouth has continued to be an important part of my life, and I’m excited and proud to be able to serve our class. Seeing everyone at reunion was amazing, and it is my hope that during the next five years, we continue to find ways to connect on and off campus! I’m here to do whatever I can to make it happen.”


Last, but not least, our new president, John Valdez: “I’ve spent the past year working for a tech startup and I’ve seen that there is now an app or technological solution to revolutionize all facets of our lives. I wholeheartedly embrace these improvements! Nonetheless, even though it’s easy to blast information via the web, the excitement that comes when receiving published updates through the Dartmouth Alumni Magazine can’t be beat. I’m excited to pass the class secretary role onto Jesse Shaw, who will do a fabulous job compiling stories that we can celebrate!”


As John said, there’s something different about seeing news about classmates in the alumni magazine as opposed to, say, stalking their Facebook pages, and I encourage all of you to write me frequently about what’s going on in your lives! So many big changes happen between our fifth year out of college and our 10th, and I want to help you all celebrate and spread the news of your success. Look out for e-mails soliciting your stories!


All my best.


—Jesse Shaw, 238 S. Arroyo Pkwy., Unit 206, Pasadena, CA 91105; jesseashaw@gmail.com