Class Note 1996. As we set sights on our big 30th reunion next June, the idea of “homecoming” has truly started to proliferate among our classmates—demonstrating itself in so many ways. First, and quite literally, several ’96s were able to participate in Homecoming Weekend itself. Kim (Koontz) Haring and Helene Sisti represented in the parade of classes; Chris Castonguay, Rose Lee, and their respective families enjoyed this year’s laser show on the Green; and Kelcey Grimm spent time “sharing [her] love of Dartmouth with [kids] Luke and Vivian—sunny skies, vibrant leaves, cozy libraries, and exciting football as we beat Yale in the final seconds!”
Quite a few ’96s also recently made the trip home for non-football weekend reasons. Ahsan Rahim visited Hanover for the first time in 20 years and “and was thrilled to find that some of our professors are still going strong!” He enjoyed reliving the memories of his “sleep-deprived time in Econ 36” with Professor Andrew Samwick while sitting in on several classes with his kids. “I can’t begin to describe how much I wished I could go back. I think I’d appreciate the quality of teaching so much more now after three extra decades of life.”
Alicia Jennings has been able to celebrate home a few times this year—with multiple reunions both in and away from the Granite State. She met up with Kia (Morley) Mellon, Sara (Goodson) Sabin, Becca Graves, and their husbands at a cabin on Post Pond in Lyme, New Hampshire; the group then met Meredith Scott andheaded to Moosilauke for a day of hiking, dinner, and an overnight at the Ravine Lodge. Closer to her home in Washington, D.C., Alicia ran into Tiernan Sittenfeld at a reception for Rockefeller Center’s first-year fellows, where they met a “number of impressive ’28s who were taking D.C. by storm.” She and Tiernan reminisced about freshman-year floor adventures. Earlier this year, Suzie Brown hosted Alicia and other late ’90s Rockapella alumna in Nashville, Tennessee. The ladies had a blast in Music City and even spent time in Suzie’s home recording studio “reliving their glory days and some seriously questionable bass lines; but, as always, with no instruments required!”
Ruth Morgan made it to Hanover for two massive occasions in late October. Her first visit was for the dedication of the renovated Hopkins Center, where she attended the powerful “We Are Water” performance featuring Yo-Yo Ma and our own Christopher Newell. One week later she was able to attend the Dartmouth-UN symposium addressing mental health struggles facing today’s youth.
Also sharing a little piece of home far from Hanover were Daphne Monie and Rebecca (Oettinger) Feder, who set out for a South American adventure in October. Rebecca advised: “When your freshman-year roommate calls and says, ‘Would you like to go to Peru?’ There’s only one right answer.” Daphne added: “You’re as good a travel buddy as you were a roommate.”
Making Dartmouth a home for the next generation were Bjørnand Briarly (Kessler) Kilburn (whose daughter Molly ’29 embarked on her freshman year) as well as Heidi (Corderman) Young and Erika Meitner (whose respective sons also matriculated this fall).
Also coming home was our own Joey Hood, who relocated (permanently) to Washington, D.C., after completing his service as U.S. ambassador to Tunisia. Joey bid farewell to his adopted home by saying, “Bisslema [Goodbye], Tunis. We were fortunate to serve the American people in such a beautiful place, steeped in history. Visits from so many dear friends and family made our time in Tunisia memorable. Come see us in D.C.!”
—Garrett Gil de Rubio, 1062 Middlebrooke Drive, Canton, GA 30115; ggdr@alum.dartmouth.org