With the ’24s headed to the Big Green, we asked our classmates for their favorite freshman fall memories. Jeff Middents posted, “How about finding myself with a free two hours of time one evening, which I decided to fill with an impromptu session of going to language lab to practice Japanese (for once!) only to realize when I got out that I completely forgot to go to my first college exam (in math) ever, that I had stayed up until 2 a.m. studying for? Ran to the professor, who was picking up the exams, blurted out the truth, and he let me take it the next day. And this is why, as a college professor now, I am completely sympathetic to dumb first-semester freshman excuses—the dumber the better. My favorite from the other side of the desk: the poor young woman who tearfully discovered in week eight of the semester that my class met three times per week, not two.”

Annie Edgerton said, “Oh, man, those Hanover snowball fights were the best.” Sara Olsen remembered “great conversations with new friends who were so intelligent and thoughtful.”

Andrea Greer said that her “favorite freshman fall memory was going really, really fast at the Head of the Charles with Chip Davis, Josh Bers, Dave Cramer, and Rob Trenkamp in the lightweight 4s.”

Unfortunately, we also have sad news to share: the passing of Lance Brackee. John Stanton provided the wonderful tribute below with contributions from Olaf Minge, David Krause, and coach Buddy Teevens ’79.

“I regret to inform that we have lost a big part of our class family, literally and figuratively. Our own Lance Brackee passed suddenly from a heart attack on August 19.

“Lance will always be remembered as one of the best football players ever to suit up for the Big Green. Possessing a rare combination of size, strength, and coordination, he was a three-year starter at offensive tackle. With Lance anchoring the line, Dartmouth enjoyed one of its winningest three-year stretches in school history, claiming the Ivy League title each year and setting numerous scoring, rushing, and passing records. Lance was twice named to the First-Team All Ivy team and, in recognition of the Ivy League’s 50th anniversary in 2005, Lance was named to Dartmouth’s ‘All-Time’ football team (second team honors).

“Despite his imposing physical stature, Lance was the proverbial gentle giant. Anytime he knocked an opposing player down (which was often), he would extend a hand to help the guy back up. His affable demeanor, infectious smile, and bear hugs were well-known to his classmates. His brothers at Theta Delta Chi can recall many good laughs from Lance’s jokes.

“After graduating from Dartmouth and Thayer with degrees in engineering, Lance returned to his native Minnesota. He embarked on a successful career working as a software engineer and platform manager for several companies. Lance also had a stint playing semi-professional football. In addition, he was an avid outdoorsman and volunteered as a Scout leader for his children’s troops. Lance is survived by his wife, Melissa, and three children, Hunter, Logan, and Megan. A GoFundMe site has been created to assist Lance’s family, www.gofundme.com/f/remembering-lance-brackee.”

Olaf attended the wake and had a chance to talk to Melissa and Hunter, who (following in Lance’s footsteps) was an offensive lineman on the state champion football team last season. Despite Covid-19 restrictions, many attended the outdoor event. It was obvious that Lance was well-loved and will be dearly missed by many. He certainly will be by our class.

Keep your updates coming: Dwight Fenton (dwight.e.fenton.93@dartmouth.edu) and Natalie Weidener Kupinsky (natalie.weidener.kupinsky.93@dartmouth.edu).

—Natalie Weidener Kupinsky, 9733 Beman Woods Way, Potomac, MD 20854; natalie.weidener.kupinsky.93@dartmouth.edu; Dwight Fenton, 200 E 72nd St., Apt. 20K, New York City, NY 10021; dwight.e.fenton.93@dartmouth.edu