Class Note 1974
Issue
September-October 2026
Class Note 1974. Early summer events worth noting follow—please send your fall news.
Tom Guidi reports that in mid-June 11 ’74s gathered at True North Brewing Co. in Ipswich, Massachusetts, for a mini-reunion organized by Peter DeNatale. Joining Tom and Peter were John Bowman, Peter Haffenreffer, Ken Hall,Eleanor and Jerry Bowe, Peter Edson and wife Ilia Stacy, Rocky Whitaker, Jeff Baxter,Linda and Phil Stebbins, and Mike Thomas.Bill Partlan ’73 and wife Tina Charney, Amy Esdale ’72, and Doug Bate ’73 also attended.
True North is owned by Gary Rogers ’77 and his wife, Jill ’78, and provided the beer and ale for our 50th reunion and many other recent Dartmouth class reunions.
In addition to sharing fellowship and tasting the locally produced lager, the occasion featured the presentation by class president Rocky (from our class officers and executive committee on behalf of the whole class) to Jerry Bowe of a mounted and framed photo of class attendees at our 50th reunion. The photo included a plaque recognizing Jerry for his contributions to our class and Dartmouth through the years, including as reunion chair and class president. It also acknowledged Jerry’s unique impact in focusing attention on the mortality disparity between our Black and non-Black classmates, which led to the formation and success of the Class of 1974 Commemorative Health Equity Fund. Give a rouse when you have a moment.
Rocky Whitaker, Mike Thomas, and honorary ’74 Bob Holley represented the class at the June farewell celebration honoring Dr. Shontay Delalue. Stepping down after five years of impactful leadership as inaugural senior vice president and chief diversity officer, she has accepted an American Council on Education fellowship while maintaining her faculty position at Geisel. In her remarks, Shontay recognized our racial health equity programs as one of three notable College initiatives for which we received the 2024 Social Justice Award for “ongoing commitment.” Farewell and best wishes to a remarkable Dartmouth leader and loyal friend of the class.
Earlier in May, Michael DeGenring, Peter Haffenreffer, Bill Beyer ’75, and Tom Guidi met for a micro-reunion luncheon in Newburyport, Massachusetts. The guys were Bissell Hall denizens, with Tom applying for honorary status.
The gathering was triggered by Michael’s trip back East to visit his niece and newborn great-nephew. Michael and his wife, Sheryl, reside in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where believe it or not, Sheryl has turned him into an opera aficionado. Peter is a longtime resident of Winchester, Massachusetts, where he continues his devotion to song, singing with the Highland Glee Club and the Arlington Belmont Chorale. Peter also spends as much time as possible during the warmer months on nearby Nantucket. Tom lives in Topsfield, Massachusetts, with his wife, Karen, spending time trying to improve his golf game, volunteering for various causes, and traveling.
Send news—or I’ll have to make something up!
—Bill Geiger, 7521 Sheffingdell Dr., Charlotte, NC 28226; (847) 322-5920; 1974damnotes@gmail.com
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More of 1974 Class Notes
Tom Guidi reports that in mid-June 11 ’74s gathered at True North Brewing Co. in Ipswich, Massachusetts, for a mini-reunion organized by Peter DeNatale. Joining Tom and Peter were John Bowman, Peter Haffenreffer, Ken Hall,Eleanor and Jerry Bowe, Peter Edson and wife Ilia Stacy, Rocky Whitaker, Jeff Baxter,Linda and Phil Stebbins, and Mike Thomas.Bill Partlan ’73 and wife Tina Charney, Amy Esdale ’72, and Doug Bate ’73 also attended.
True North is owned by Gary Rogers ’77 and his wife, Jill ’78, and provided the beer and ale for our 50th reunion and many other recent Dartmouth class reunions.
In addition to sharing fellowship and tasting the locally produced lager, the occasion featured the presentation by class president Rocky (from our class officers and executive committee on behalf of the whole class) to Jerry Bowe of a mounted and framed photo of class attendees at our 50th reunion. The photo included a plaque recognizing Jerry for his contributions to our class and Dartmouth through the years, including as reunion chair and class president. It also acknowledged Jerry’s unique impact in focusing attention on the mortality disparity between our Black and non-Black classmates, which led to the formation and success of the Class of 1974 Commemorative Health Equity Fund. Give a rouse when you have a moment.
Rocky Whitaker, Mike Thomas, and honorary ’74 Bob Holley represented the class at the June farewell celebration honoring Dr. Shontay Delalue. Stepping down after five years of impactful leadership as inaugural senior vice president and chief diversity officer, she has accepted an American Council on Education fellowship while maintaining her faculty position at Geisel. In her remarks, Shontay recognized our racial health equity programs as one of three notable College initiatives for which we received the 2024 Social Justice Award for “ongoing commitment.” Farewell and best wishes to a remarkable Dartmouth leader and loyal friend of the class.
Earlier in May, Michael DeGenring, Peter Haffenreffer, Bill Beyer ’75, and Tom Guidi met for a micro-reunion luncheon in Newburyport, Massachusetts. The guys were Bissell Hall denizens, with Tom applying for honorary status.
The gathering was triggered by Michael’s trip back East to visit his niece and newborn great-nephew. Michael and his wife, Sheryl, reside in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where believe it or not, Sheryl has turned him into an opera aficionado. Peter is a longtime resident of Winchester, Massachusetts, where he continues his devotion to song, singing with the Highland Glee Club and the Arlington Belmont Chorale. Peter also spends as much time as possible during the warmer months on nearby Nantucket. Tom lives in Topsfield, Massachusetts, with his wife, Karen, spending time trying to improve his golf game, volunteering for various causes, and traveling.
Send news—or I’ll have to make something up!
—Bill Geiger, 7521 Sheffingdell Dr., Charlotte, NC 28226; (847) 322-5920; 1974damnotes@gmail.com