Class Note 2005
Issue
September-October 2020
I need to, unfortunately, start this column with some very sad news. Classmate Christopher “Zeke” McMullen-Laird unexpectedly passed away on June 18. His tragic passing came just a few short weeks after writing in to provide an update to our class.
Please take a moment to visit Zeke’s memorial website, https://christopherquentin.com/memorial, to learn more about his wonderful life, many musical accomplishments, family, and friends. All who knew him at Dartmouth are encouraged to submit a tribute, memory, story, recipe, or photo to the site as well. There have been so many wonderful tributes already shared with so many online. It is clear through these tributes that Zeke’s loving nature, extreme care for others, and joy for life will be sorely missed by family and friends. Rest in peace, Zeke.
A conversation on implicit bias with Tiffany Harper sponsored by Women of Dartmouth took place virtually on June 12. More than 350 alumni and friends joined to hear from Tiffany as she instructed how we can identify and challenge our own biases and incorporate what we have learned to help take action to dismantle systemic inequity.
In other news, we would like to introduce this year’s Class of 2005 Fund for Entrepreneurship grant recipient. Our winner is Ayan Agarwal ’20 and his startup, Blabl, a mobile-based tool for speech therapy. Ayan’s goal is to increase access to speech therapy, especially for marginalized students. We are proud to support an undergraduate social entrepreneur who is striving to improve the world. Many thanks as always to Ashley Shackelton and Andy Rankin for their leadership here on behalf of the class.
Lastly, the ’05 family has continued to grow throughout 2020 with many new additions. Ben Grinnell and wife Courtney welcomed their third son, George Hudson, to the world in January. Deane Somerville and his partner, Claire, welcomed daughter Maeve, their first, into pre-pandemic London in February.Andy Rankin and wife Ally welcomed their first child, Sophie Francis Rankin, in April. David Gardner and wife Laura welcomed their first, daughter Elle, in May. Nick Crofoot and wife Elizabeth welcomed their third child, Georgianna McDermott Crofoot, also in May. Lastly, Oliver Harker-Smith and wife Laura welcomed their first, son Teddy, in June. Congratulations to all parents, especially the new ones!
—Matt Nicholson, 5308 Yorktown Road, Bethesda, MD 20816; mtnicholson3@gmail.com
Please take a moment to visit Zeke’s memorial website, https://christopherquentin.com/memorial, to learn more about his wonderful life, many musical accomplishments, family, and friends. All who knew him at Dartmouth are encouraged to submit a tribute, memory, story, recipe, or photo to the site as well. There have been so many wonderful tributes already shared with so many online. It is clear through these tributes that Zeke’s loving nature, extreme care for others, and joy for life will be sorely missed by family and friends. Rest in peace, Zeke.
A conversation on implicit bias with Tiffany Harper sponsored by Women of Dartmouth took place virtually on June 12. More than 350 alumni and friends joined to hear from Tiffany as she instructed how we can identify and challenge our own biases and incorporate what we have learned to help take action to dismantle systemic inequity.
In other news, we would like to introduce this year’s Class of 2005 Fund for Entrepreneurship grant recipient. Our winner is Ayan Agarwal ’20 and his startup, Blabl, a mobile-based tool for speech therapy. Ayan’s goal is to increase access to speech therapy, especially for marginalized students. We are proud to support an undergraduate social entrepreneur who is striving to improve the world. Many thanks as always to Ashley Shackelton and Andy Rankin for their leadership here on behalf of the class.
Lastly, the ’05 family has continued to grow throughout 2020 with many new additions. Ben Grinnell and wife Courtney welcomed their third son, George Hudson, to the world in January. Deane Somerville and his partner, Claire, welcomed daughter Maeve, their first, into pre-pandemic London in February.Andy Rankin and wife Ally welcomed their first child, Sophie Francis Rankin, in April. David Gardner and wife Laura welcomed their first, daughter Elle, in May. Nick Crofoot and wife Elizabeth welcomed their third child, Georgianna McDermott Crofoot, also in May. Lastly, Oliver Harker-Smith and wife Laura welcomed their first, son Teddy, in June. Congratulations to all parents, especially the new ones!
—Matt Nicholson, 5308 Yorktown Road, Bethesda, MD 20816; mtnicholson3@gmail.com