Class Note 1997
Issue
September-October 2026
Class Note 1997. Can you feel the excitement building? As I write this, our 30th reunion is less than a year away on June 17-20, 2027. Here are some more reasons ’97s love Dartmouth.
Carolyn (Abruzzo) Campion writes, “Reasons I love Dartmouth: academics, small classes, cross-curricular majors, student connection, study-abroad options for every major; traditions such as Homecoming bonfire, Winter Carnival, Green Key, snowball fight on first snow; the outdoors as part of campus culture, with sunrises, Mount Moosilauke, ‘Salty Dog Rag,’ Ledyard, Skiway; alumni network; and family (son Ben is a ’28 and daughter Annie is a ’30)!”
Julie (Gottlieb) Fisher writes: “My Dartmouth experience was a near-perfect balance of gravity and levity. My classmates were intelligent, intense people who worked hard and pushed themselves, but the environment always felt supportive, collegial, and fun.”
Sascha Goldsmith writes: “Like a lifelong friend, even after years apart, reconnecting feels as though no time has passed at all.”
Jennifer Chen, Sara Greenberg, Emilio Mena Jr., Joshua Pristaw, Matthew Shafer, Lloyd Fass, Richard Yeh, and Jeremy Turk turned out on April 30 for a mini-reunion surrounding President Beilock’s event in New York City.
Congratulations to Carter Williams on her promotion to associate principal at LDa Architecture & Interiors, an employee-owned architecture and interior design firm based in Boston. Carter, who holds a master of architecture from the University of Virginia, has built a distinguished career designing highly personalized homes throughout New England. Her work spans a wide range of project types and architectural styles, from carefully restored historic properties to contemporary residences and new construction projects. “Carter has long been a significant leader and creative force at LDa,” said LDa cofounder Treff LaFleche. “Her ability to build strong client relationships, lead complex projects, and mentor colleagues has helped strengthen our practice and culture. She represents the next generation of leadership at our employee-owned firm.”
Congratulations also to Ann (Melander) Freeman, who, along with Emily Lesher ’02, is bringing The Sports Bra—the world’s first sports bar franchise dedicated exclusively to televising women’s sports—to Portland, Maine. Ann and Emily, both Maine natives, found what sounds like the perfect spot for the new location. “Securing this fantastic location for The Sports Bra feels like fate,” Ann said in a press release. “I knew instantly back then that this layout was perfect for a sports bar and the surrounding neighborhood would embrace this concept. Deering Center is an incredible, family-friendly neighborhood, and it has always been an ideal spot to bring my own family for dinner and a drink. It was meant to be!”
—Jason Casell, 11730 Mission Trace St., San Antonio, TX 78230; jhcasell@gmail.com
Back to 1997 Class Year
More of 1997 Class Notes
Carolyn (Abruzzo) Campion writes, “Reasons I love Dartmouth: academics, small classes, cross-curricular majors, student connection, study-abroad options for every major; traditions such as Homecoming bonfire, Winter Carnival, Green Key, snowball fight on first snow; the outdoors as part of campus culture, with sunrises, Mount Moosilauke, ‘Salty Dog Rag,’ Ledyard, Skiway; alumni network; and family (son Ben is a ’28 and daughter Annie is a ’30)!”
Julie (Gottlieb) Fisher writes: “My Dartmouth experience was a near-perfect balance of gravity and levity. My classmates were intelligent, intense people who worked hard and pushed themselves, but the environment always felt supportive, collegial, and fun.”
Sascha Goldsmith writes: “Like a lifelong friend, even after years apart, reconnecting feels as though no time has passed at all.”
Jennifer Chen, Sara Greenberg, Emilio Mena Jr., Joshua Pristaw, Matthew Shafer, Lloyd Fass, Richard Yeh, and Jeremy Turk turned out on April 30 for a mini-reunion surrounding President Beilock’s event in New York City.
Congratulations to Carter Williams on her promotion to associate principal at LDa Architecture & Interiors, an employee-owned architecture and interior design firm based in Boston. Carter, who holds a master of architecture from the University of Virginia, has built a distinguished career designing highly personalized homes throughout New England. Her work spans a wide range of project types and architectural styles, from carefully restored historic properties to contemporary residences and new construction projects. “Carter has long been a significant leader and creative force at LDa,” said LDa cofounder Treff LaFleche. “Her ability to build strong client relationships, lead complex projects, and mentor colleagues has helped strengthen our practice and culture. She represents the next generation of leadership at our employee-owned firm.”
Congratulations also to Ann (Melander) Freeman, who, along with Emily Lesher ’02, is bringing The Sports Bra—the world’s first sports bar franchise dedicated exclusively to televising women’s sports—to Portland, Maine. Ann and Emily, both Maine natives, found what sounds like the perfect spot for the new location. “Securing this fantastic location for The Sports Bra feels like fate,” Ann said in a press release. “I knew instantly back then that this layout was perfect for a sports bar and the surrounding neighborhood would embrace this concept. Deering Center is an incredible, family-friendly neighborhood, and it has always been an ideal spot to bring my own family for dinner and a drink. It was meant to be!”
—Jason Casell, 11730 Mission Trace St., San Antonio, TX 78230; jhcasell@gmail.com