Class Note 1981
Issue
July-August 2026
Class Note 1981. Today’s column features reflections and updates from three of our class’s literature majors. (Want to join in? Email us!)
Eric Beatty says comparative literature studies helped him develop important analytical skills and reminded him “it was worth pursuing what excited me, even if it wasn’t the ‘normal’ or ‘obvious’ path.” Eric majored in comp lit to pursue serious interests in French and theater. His thesis, “The Clown in Modern French and British Drama,” foreshadowed postgraduation studies at mime school in Paris. Eric performed in theater for many years, including touring with the renowned Swiss mime-mask company, Mummenschanz. After earning an M.F.A. in theater, he became head arts administrator at Johns Hopkins. He’s now “half-retired” in Denver, ushering at performing arts and sporting events and occasionally doing backstage security.
Justine Cassell chose English and comparative literature because she loves reading novels. Like Eric, she spent time in France during and after college—and now she lives there! Justine researches and consults regarding artificial intelligence at Inria, a Paris research institute. She explains, “I’ve developed AI ‘story listening’ systems that invite children to tell stories as ways of exploring identity, learning language, etc.” Because this work utilizes concepts such as narrative framework, Justine uses her comp lit knowledge “every single day.” She’s in demand for press interviews about AI, which she suspects is “because literature teaches you how to tell a story.” The story she tells about life in France: “I cook constantly, eat out at amazing restaurants, go on bike trips through the countryside, and otherwise take advantage of the life hacks that France does so well!”
Anthony Desir studied literature “to do something fun that I didn’t need to do to make money” after college. He reports he pursued that path after becoming one of the first two incoming freshmen admitted to Dartmouth’s highest honors poetry literature class. The class met at professor Richard Eberhart’s home. In an unexpected literary twist, Anthony’s freshman room in Wheeler was where Robert Frost, class of 1896, briefly lodged. Following graduation Anthony started at Wall Street, then moved to Asia, where he has since done private financing and corporate finance. He still writes serious poetry and has a book sitting in a drawer waiting for him to decide whether it’s finished. “Writing is what it always was—a salve and a pleasure and as long as I can write it will be that.”
Sadly, we’ve recently learned of four classmate deaths. Deanie Pearce passed away February 22 and David Townsend on February 10. We also received word that Chris Badger died last November, and Kim Dunn in September 2024. Our heartfelt sympathies to all their families and friends.
Online class obituaries appear at www.dartmouthalumnimagazine.com/class-obituaries/1981. Thanks to webmaster Ellen Brout Lindsey,we have a new “In Memoriam” webpage at www.dartgo.org/81memorial. Personal remembrances will be posted there.
Be well!
—Christy Hunter Mihaly, P.O. Box 119, East Calais, VT 05650; christymihaly@gmail.com;Howard Morse, 1836 Milvale Road, Annapolis, MD 21409; m.howard.morse@gmail.com
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More of 1981 Class Notes
Eric Beatty says comparative literature studies helped him develop important analytical skills and reminded him “it was worth pursuing what excited me, even if it wasn’t the ‘normal’ or ‘obvious’ path.” Eric majored in comp lit to pursue serious interests in French and theater. His thesis, “The Clown in Modern French and British Drama,” foreshadowed postgraduation studies at mime school in Paris. Eric performed in theater for many years, including touring with the renowned Swiss mime-mask company, Mummenschanz. After earning an M.F.A. in theater, he became head arts administrator at Johns Hopkins. He’s now “half-retired” in Denver, ushering at performing arts and sporting events and occasionally doing backstage security.
Justine Cassell chose English and comparative literature because she loves reading novels. Like Eric, she spent time in France during and after college—and now she lives there! Justine researches and consults regarding artificial intelligence at Inria, a Paris research institute. She explains, “I’ve developed AI ‘story listening’ systems that invite children to tell stories as ways of exploring identity, learning language, etc.” Because this work utilizes concepts such as narrative framework, Justine uses her comp lit knowledge “every single day.” She’s in demand for press interviews about AI, which she suspects is “because literature teaches you how to tell a story.” The story she tells about life in France: “I cook constantly, eat out at amazing restaurants, go on bike trips through the countryside, and otherwise take advantage of the life hacks that France does so well!”
Anthony Desir studied literature “to do something fun that I didn’t need to do to make money” after college. He reports he pursued that path after becoming one of the first two incoming freshmen admitted to Dartmouth’s highest honors poetry literature class. The class met at professor Richard Eberhart’s home. In an unexpected literary twist, Anthony’s freshman room in Wheeler was where Robert Frost, class of 1896, briefly lodged. Following graduation Anthony started at Wall Street, then moved to Asia, where he has since done private financing and corporate finance. He still writes serious poetry and has a book sitting in a drawer waiting for him to decide whether it’s finished. “Writing is what it always was—a salve and a pleasure and as long as I can write it will be that.”
Sadly, we’ve recently learned of four classmate deaths. Deanie Pearce passed away February 22 and David Townsend on February 10. We also received word that Chris Badger died last November, and Kim Dunn in September 2024. Our heartfelt sympathies to all their families and friends.
Online class obituaries appear at www.dartmouthalumnimagazine.com/class-obituaries/1981. Thanks to webmaster Ellen Brout Lindsey,we have a new “In Memoriam” webpage at www.dartgo.org/81memorial. Personal remembrances will be posted there.
Be well!
—Christy Hunter Mihaly, P.O. Box 119, East Calais, VT 05650; christymihaly@gmail.com;Howard Morse, 1836 Milvale Road, Annapolis, MD 21409; m.howard.morse@gmail.com