Class Note 1977
Issue
March - April 2026
Class Note 1977. Dan Bernstein ’87 shared this impressive news about our esteemed classmate: “I recently heard that my friend and former longtime fellow Hood board member Shunichi “Nick” Homma was awarded a medal of honor from the Japanese government, the Order of the Sacred Treasure, bestowed by the Japanese emperor.
“I believe Nick is the first Dartmouth graduate to receive this award. Nick, originally from Japan, is a heart doctor and professor of medicine at Columbia University in New York. The award was given for his lifetime of leadership in the medical community and his contributions to the Japanese and Japanese-American communities. At the Hood Museum Nick was involved in many things, among them creating the ‘Homma Family Internship,’ which sponsors a student intern’s work at the Hood each year.”
Further investigation yielded official details from the Japanese government: “On November 3, 2024, the government of Japan announced the recipients of the 2024 Autumn Conferment of Decorations. Professor Shunichi Homma, M.D., [fellow of the American College of Cardiology], professor of medicine at Columbia University, was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, in recognition of ‘distinguished services to the welfare of Japanese residents and those of Japanese descent and a very significant service to promote medical education and knowledge in Japan.’
“Professor Homma has actively supported the Japanese and Japanese-American communities through leadership roles in several organizations. Additionally, as a professor at Columbia University, he has played a vital role in educating numerous Japanese researchers and students, further enriching the Japanese medical community.” Congratulations to Nick on this outstanding and unique recognition!
Doug Cogswell reported, “Kim (wife of 45 years!) and I just got back from a couple of weeks in Zambia. That gave us plenty of time to walk around and talk with friends in three villages (Kasuba, Chishi, Kalasa) as well as the regional center (Samfya). In addition to camping in tents, we were thrilled to see the local Care Boards that we helped create leading the way in each village. Education and healthcare continue to improve, while agricultural development focused on food security (which reduces childhood stunting, illness, and death) to ensure long-term economic sustainability for each village is also growing thanks to increased foundation funding.”
For more information, check out www. zealforzambia.com. According to Doug, “Lending a hand to these villages is so much more productive and enabling than just giving them a handout. And it’s happening!”
Snaps to Doug and Kim for leading the way with their good works and positive energy. Bummed to miss out on our August Santa Fe, New Mexico, bash, Doug vows to see us all in June 2027 in Hanover for our 50th!
Speaking of which, are you in our BrightCrowd digital 50th reunion yearbook yet? If not, contact Edy Ullman at edy2ullman@comcast.net pronto and she will set you up!
Be seen, be heard! Send news and pics. Not getting class emails and e-newsletters? Call the alumni help desk at (603) 646-3202 to update your email and forwarding addresses.
—A.P. Duffy, 15 River Road, Gloucester, MA 01930; (203) 979-2234; apduffy77@gmail.com
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More of 1977 Class Notes
“I believe Nick is the first Dartmouth graduate to receive this award. Nick, originally from Japan, is a heart doctor and professor of medicine at Columbia University in New York. The award was given for his lifetime of leadership in the medical community and his contributions to the Japanese and Japanese-American communities. At the Hood Museum Nick was involved in many things, among them creating the ‘Homma Family Internship,’ which sponsors a student intern’s work at the Hood each year.”
Further investigation yielded official details from the Japanese government: “On November 3, 2024, the government of Japan announced the recipients of the 2024 Autumn Conferment of Decorations. Professor Shunichi Homma, M.D., [fellow of the American College of Cardiology], professor of medicine at Columbia University, was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, in recognition of ‘distinguished services to the welfare of Japanese residents and those of Japanese descent and a very significant service to promote medical education and knowledge in Japan.’
“Professor Homma has actively supported the Japanese and Japanese-American communities through leadership roles in several organizations. Additionally, as a professor at Columbia University, he has played a vital role in educating numerous Japanese researchers and students, further enriching the Japanese medical community.” Congratulations to Nick on this outstanding and unique recognition!
Doug Cogswell reported, “Kim (wife of 45 years!) and I just got back from a couple of weeks in Zambia. That gave us plenty of time to walk around and talk with friends in three villages (Kasuba, Chishi, Kalasa) as well as the regional center (Samfya). In addition to camping in tents, we were thrilled to see the local Care Boards that we helped create leading the way in each village. Education and healthcare continue to improve, while agricultural development focused on food security (which reduces childhood stunting, illness, and death) to ensure long-term economic sustainability for each village is also growing thanks to increased foundation funding.”
For more information, check out www. zealforzambia.com. According to Doug, “Lending a hand to these villages is so much more productive and enabling than just giving them a handout. And it’s happening!”
Snaps to Doug and Kim for leading the way with their good works and positive energy. Bummed to miss out on our August Santa Fe, New Mexico, bash, Doug vows to see us all in June 2027 in Hanover for our 50th!
Speaking of which, are you in our BrightCrowd digital 50th reunion yearbook yet? If not, contact Edy Ullman at edy2ullman@comcast.net pronto and she will set you up!
Be seen, be heard! Send news and pics. Not getting class emails and e-newsletters? Call the alumni help desk at (603) 646-3202 to update your email and forwarding addresses.
—A.P. Duffy, 15 River Road, Gloucester, MA 01930; (203) 979-2234; apduffy77@gmail.com