Class Note 1977
Issue
March-April 2023
Now that the 50 years of coeducation celebration is behind us, we’ve got buckets of meaningful 50th anniversaries ahead leading up to our class 70th birthday celebration planned for 2025 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and 50th reunion June 2027 in Hanover.
I’ll never forget meeting my bunkie Edy Ullman; besties Billy Donovan, Bobby Huggard,and Michael Walsh; and mad crushes Jeff Lyon and Peter Kenworthy during that chaotic Freshman Week 1973, not to mention breaking my nose twice (closed door, aerial field hockey ball). What first 50th memories are you rechanneling—first bonfire, steak night, Paradise Lost Chapter 1, beer pong debacle? Our new head agent, Doug Ireland, and his trusty Dartmouth College Fund sidekick (and newly minted ’77) Mark Harris want to walk down memory lane with you. Send your cherished 50th milestones from freshman year (with photos if possible) to Doug and Mark at dougmireland@me.com and we’ll celebrate with you in upcoming newsletters and on Dar7mou7h.com.
I was chatting up my boss (Mr. Guth, but you can call him Jim) mentioning I’d be on the disabled list in January adapting to life with a new bionic hip, and he mentioned that Nancy Vespoli had recovered nicely from her same surgery last year. (Who knew? I sure didn’t—she moved like a gazelle at reunion!) I no sooner texted Nancy than she shot back helpful advice and a partial list of ’77s who had also mastered new parts, including Bets Kent, Betsy Stueber, Gail Gentes,and Phil Hanlon. It made me realize connection to the “’77verse” is invaluable, driving home the brilliance of the “’77 Guides and Seekers Network” Peter Mills is creating for the class. Any unanticipated curveball life hurls in your face (such as challenges or health issues, parental care, funky feelings, bereavement, you name it) chances are one of us ’77s has already lived it and would be happy to share experience and pointers accumulated during the past 70 years or so (that’s 70,000ish collective years!). Peter surveyed the class in January for guidance and will continue to communicate the vision and practicalities for this developing class resource. Want to help? Ping Peter at pbmsv@icloud.com.
Another exciting initiative being tackled by a subset of the executive committee is a fresh look at the class’ mission, vision, and values, led by Carol Muller and including Liz Kadin, Dee Dee Simpson, Allison Grant Williams,Doug Ireland, Nancy Vespoli, and Jim Guth. The group’s first pass at an updated mission statement follows: “The Dartmouth class of 1977 is committed to friendship, support, and learning among classmates, enhancing inclusivity and engagement, and supporting Dartmouth’s mission.” Class values that have bubbled up include transparency, inclusivity, responsibility, and respect.Carol says, “We’d like to hear from classmates interested in helping articulate these goals stat.”
The latest version of our class mantra is on Dar7mou7h.com. To get involved, contact Carol at carol.b.muller.77@dartmouth.edu.
Not getting class emails and e-newsletters? Call the alumni help desk at (603) 646-3202 to update your email and provide a forwarding address. Got news? Write me!
—A.P. Duffy, 66 Saunders Drive, Wilton, CT 06897; (203) 979-2234; apduffy@optonline.net
I’ll never forget meeting my bunkie Edy Ullman; besties Billy Donovan, Bobby Huggard,and Michael Walsh; and mad crushes Jeff Lyon and Peter Kenworthy during that chaotic Freshman Week 1973, not to mention breaking my nose twice (closed door, aerial field hockey ball). What first 50th memories are you rechanneling—first bonfire, steak night, Paradise Lost Chapter 1, beer pong debacle? Our new head agent, Doug Ireland, and his trusty Dartmouth College Fund sidekick (and newly minted ’77) Mark Harris want to walk down memory lane with you. Send your cherished 50th milestones from freshman year (with photos if possible) to Doug and Mark at dougmireland@me.com and we’ll celebrate with you in upcoming newsletters and on Dar7mou7h.com.
I was chatting up my boss (Mr. Guth, but you can call him Jim) mentioning I’d be on the disabled list in January adapting to life with a new bionic hip, and he mentioned that Nancy Vespoli had recovered nicely from her same surgery last year. (Who knew? I sure didn’t—she moved like a gazelle at reunion!) I no sooner texted Nancy than she shot back helpful advice and a partial list of ’77s who had also mastered new parts, including Bets Kent, Betsy Stueber, Gail Gentes,and Phil Hanlon. It made me realize connection to the “’77verse” is invaluable, driving home the brilliance of the “’77 Guides and Seekers Network” Peter Mills is creating for the class. Any unanticipated curveball life hurls in your face (such as challenges or health issues, parental care, funky feelings, bereavement, you name it) chances are one of us ’77s has already lived it and would be happy to share experience and pointers accumulated during the past 70 years or so (that’s 70,000ish collective years!). Peter surveyed the class in January for guidance and will continue to communicate the vision and practicalities for this developing class resource. Want to help? Ping Peter at pbmsv@icloud.com.
Another exciting initiative being tackled by a subset of the executive committee is a fresh look at the class’ mission, vision, and values, led by Carol Muller and including Liz Kadin, Dee Dee Simpson, Allison Grant Williams,Doug Ireland, Nancy Vespoli, and Jim Guth. The group’s first pass at an updated mission statement follows: “The Dartmouth class of 1977 is committed to friendship, support, and learning among classmates, enhancing inclusivity and engagement, and supporting Dartmouth’s mission.” Class values that have bubbled up include transparency, inclusivity, responsibility, and respect.Carol says, “We’d like to hear from classmates interested in helping articulate these goals stat.”
The latest version of our class mantra is on Dar7mou7h.com. To get involved, contact Carol at carol.b.muller.77@dartmouth.edu.
Not getting class emails and e-newsletters? Call the alumni help desk at (603) 646-3202 to update your email and provide a forwarding address. Got news? Write me!
—A.P. Duffy, 66 Saunders Drive, Wilton, CT 06897; (203) 979-2234; apduffy@optonline.net