I hope the class of 1945’s centennial birthday festivities bring together family and friends. The campus has had its share of festive occasions as it does every spring. Another inspiring and always bittersweet Commencement has come and gone. It was the last as president for Phil Hanlon and his wife, Gail Gentes. The decade of their leadership had its challenges, certainly around the pandemic, but Dartmouth has emerged healthier than ever. The financial position is strong, the admissions numbers are stunning in the quantity and quality of applicants, the stature of the faculty is admirable, and President Beilock has a great platform from which to launch her initiatives. I heard her speak about the importance of well-being on campus and how the outdoor beauty and opportunities that exist at Dartmouth are a huge benefit in that regard. She also mentioned that athletics are key to the well-being of so many students and how important lessons such as resiliency and leadership are taught through competition. She and President Hanlon wrote an insightful op-ed in The Boston Globe about building “brave spaces” on campus focused on free speech and civil discourse. In it they urged students at Dartmouth to resist the temptation to stay silent due to fear of being criticized. Sharing ideas and standing up for what you believe is something Dartmouth needs to teach, as do all other academic institutions. I would love to share more news of classmates and 100th birthdays. Send me a note or an email when you can. Happy fall!

—Martha Johnson Beattie ’76, 6 North Balch St., Hanover, NH 03755; (603) 667-7611; mbeattie76@gmail.com