Class Note 1976
Issue
July-August 2026
Class Note 1976. Gratitude (noun) is defined as: the state of being grateful; thankfulness.
Gratitude is currently trending on social media accounts and may already be overused. However, it is timely and captures many of the dominant thoughts of ’76 classmates leading up to and during our milestone 50th reunion. The stories and reflections on gratitude are heartwarming, moving, and transforming. And tangible evidence can be found in the records our class set for reunion attendance, 1769 Society memberships, and total contributions to the Dartmouth College Fund. Thank you to all classmates who made our 50th reunion so memorable!
As I take the reins as your class secretary from Steve Bell, I will reinforce the request for classmates to send in interesting news that will keep everyone updated. To demonstrate the sincerity of the request, here is my own submission to DAM—my first in 50 years!
Under the heading of “Even old dogs can learn new tricks,” our gift to each grandchild on their 12th birthday is a trip to the destination of their choice. The first grandson, nicknamed “Chop,” chose Japan. Our expert travel agent scheduled a wide variety of immersive activities, including a hands-on introduction at the Samurai and Ninja museum, sushi making with a master chef, an e-bike touring Kyoto’s famous shrines, creating wax replicas of shrimp tempura, a moving visit to the Peace Museum in Hiroshima, and, of course, eating many new and unfamiliar foods. It was an incredible experience to see how a 12-year-old American boy observed the similarities and differences in cultural norms, expected behaviors, and everyday occurrences (such as taxi drivers wearing uniforms, caps, and white gloves in sparkling clean vehicles). I think that “eyes as wide as saucers” was the perfect memory of how experiences may help to shape a life.
The miracle of modern-day travel prompted me to think of my childhood growing up in Bergen County, New Jersey. I had everything I ever needed but the only international travel was a car trip to Montreal to visit the World’s Fair. Now, my grandchildren have been to Asia, Australia, and multiple locations in Europe! Was it just the Dartmouth experience that catapulted me and my family to much broader horizons? Probably not, but I have a tremendous sense of gratitude for the opportunities that were greatly facilitated by my Dartmouth education.
But enough about me—what about you? You are all just coming off the incredible high of our 50th reunion and the giant bear hug that provided warmth and positive energy. Channel those emotions—I invite you to send me your personal reflections on gratitude, Dartmouth, or the combination! Please send news of yourselves and your classmates to Spencer Kubo at spencer.h.kubo@gmail.com.
—Spencer Kubo, 3827 Zenith Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN 55410; (612) 867-7203; spencer.h.kubo@gmail.com
Back to 1976 Class Year
More of 1976 Class Notes
Gratitude is currently trending on social media accounts and may already be overused. However, it is timely and captures many of the dominant thoughts of ’76 classmates leading up to and during our milestone 50th reunion. The stories and reflections on gratitude are heartwarming, moving, and transforming. And tangible evidence can be found in the records our class set for reunion attendance, 1769 Society memberships, and total contributions to the Dartmouth College Fund. Thank you to all classmates who made our 50th reunion so memorable!
As I take the reins as your class secretary from Steve Bell, I will reinforce the request for classmates to send in interesting news that will keep everyone updated. To demonstrate the sincerity of the request, here is my own submission to DAM—my first in 50 years!
Under the heading of “Even old dogs can learn new tricks,” our gift to each grandchild on their 12th birthday is a trip to the destination of their choice. The first grandson, nicknamed “Chop,” chose Japan. Our expert travel agent scheduled a wide variety of immersive activities, including a hands-on introduction at the Samurai and Ninja museum, sushi making with a master chef, an e-bike touring Kyoto’s famous shrines, creating wax replicas of shrimp tempura, a moving visit to the Peace Museum in Hiroshima, and, of course, eating many new and unfamiliar foods. It was an incredible experience to see how a 12-year-old American boy observed the similarities and differences in cultural norms, expected behaviors, and everyday occurrences (such as taxi drivers wearing uniforms, caps, and white gloves in sparkling clean vehicles). I think that “eyes as wide as saucers” was the perfect memory of how experiences may help to shape a life.
The miracle of modern-day travel prompted me to think of my childhood growing up in Bergen County, New Jersey. I had everything I ever needed but the only international travel was a car trip to Montreal to visit the World’s Fair. Now, my grandchildren have been to Asia, Australia, and multiple locations in Europe! Was it just the Dartmouth experience that catapulted me and my family to much broader horizons? Probably not, but I have a tremendous sense of gratitude for the opportunities that were greatly facilitated by my Dartmouth education.
But enough about me—what about you? You are all just coming off the incredible high of our 50th reunion and the giant bear hug that provided warmth and positive energy. Channel those emotions—I invite you to send me your personal reflections on gratitude, Dartmouth, or the combination! Please send news of yourselves and your classmates to Spencer Kubo at spencer.h.kubo@gmail.com.
—Spencer Kubo, 3827 Zenith Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN 55410; (612) 867-7203; spencer.h.kubo@gmail.com