Class Note 2018
Issue
September-October 2026
Class Note 2018. Hi, ’18s!
As September arrives, it’s time for the next edition of Class Notes. You may remember that I asked for your favorite Commencement memories when I reached out in June. I’m excited to share a few of those memories along with some classmate news. Thanks, as always, to everyone who submitted!
Josephine Yalovitser Sacks recently wrote and illustrated three children’s books. The series, “Little Med Minds,” addresses common pediatric ear, nose, and throat (ENT) issues. Josephine created the books with a medical school classmate to empower children experiencing conditions such as asthma, tonsillectomies, and ear tubes. After winning a grant from the University of Vermont surgery department, Josephine professionally published all three books and provided free copies to ENT and pediatric clinics in Vermont, New York, and New Hampshire, including Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Congratulations, Josephine, and thank you for the work you do!
Alexander Agadjanian recently graduated with a Ph.D. in political science from the University of California, Berkeley. In August he started a postdoctoral position at the Vanderbilt University Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions. Since Dartmouth Alexander spent two years as a senior research support associate at the MIT Election Data and Science Lab. His academic research has received significant media attention, including from The Washington Post, The New York Times, Slate, Bloomberg Opinion, CNN, NBC News, and The Atlantic. Throughout his career, he has maintained ties with Dartmouth mentors who helped shape his professional path. It’s so great to hear about all you’ve been up to, Alexander! Congratulations!
Caroline Petro graduated with her M.B.A. from the Yale School of Management in May! She also shared a reflection on our Dartmouth Commencement eight years ago, writing, “I love organically seeing quotes from Mindy Kaling’s speech in the wild. Her ‘Why not me?’ line made an impression on me, and it seems it did for lots of others, too!” Congratulations, Caroline, and thank you so much for sharing about both of your graduations. Best of luck in your next chapter!
In more exciting news, Maya Stanko and her husband welcomed their first child, Owen Thomas Stanko, in May. Congratulations, Maya, to you and your growing family! Maya also shared a personal reflection on our Dartmouth Commencement, writing, “It meant a lot to me to be able to walk at graduation. The weekend before senior week, I went home to New Jersey for a friend’s graduation party. The morning I was set to return to Dartmouth, I awoke to horrible pain and was rushed to the emergency room. It turned out that I had gallstones. The doctor recommended surgery that week, which meant I would not be able to return to Dartmouth to walk the stage at graduation. After a lot of begging, the doctor agreed to let me leave the hospital to return for graduation. I arrived back on campus on the Friday of senior week and, despite missing most of the plans I had made with friends, I was still able to walk the stage before returning to the hospital for a successful surgery the next week.” Maya, thank you for sharing your story. I know I speak for all of us when I say we are grateful you got to celebrate your achievements and receive the care you needed. Wishing you the best!
Thank you again to everyone who has submitted memories and updates for the column. There’s no update too small, and it’s always great to hear what everyone is up to. Until next time!
—Emily Choate, 406 Marlborough St., Apt. 3, Boston, MA 02115; (603) 305-5346; eschoate@gmail.com
Back to 2018 Class Year
More of 2018 Class Notes
As September arrives, it’s time for the next edition of Class Notes. You may remember that I asked for your favorite Commencement memories when I reached out in June. I’m excited to share a few of those memories along with some classmate news. Thanks, as always, to everyone who submitted!
Josephine Yalovitser Sacks recently wrote and illustrated three children’s books. The series, “Little Med Minds,” addresses common pediatric ear, nose, and throat (ENT) issues. Josephine created the books with a medical school classmate to empower children experiencing conditions such as asthma, tonsillectomies, and ear tubes. After winning a grant from the University of Vermont surgery department, Josephine professionally published all three books and provided free copies to ENT and pediatric clinics in Vermont, New York, and New Hampshire, including Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Congratulations, Josephine, and thank you for the work you do!
Alexander Agadjanian recently graduated with a Ph.D. in political science from the University of California, Berkeley. In August he started a postdoctoral position at the Vanderbilt University Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions. Since Dartmouth Alexander spent two years as a senior research support associate at the MIT Election Data and Science Lab. His academic research has received significant media attention, including from The Washington Post, The New York Times, Slate, Bloomberg Opinion, CNN, NBC News, and The Atlantic. Throughout his career, he has maintained ties with Dartmouth mentors who helped shape his professional path. It’s so great to hear about all you’ve been up to, Alexander! Congratulations!
Caroline Petro graduated with her M.B.A. from the Yale School of Management in May! She also shared a reflection on our Dartmouth Commencement eight years ago, writing, “I love organically seeing quotes from Mindy Kaling’s speech in the wild. Her ‘Why not me?’ line made an impression on me, and it seems it did for lots of others, too!” Congratulations, Caroline, and thank you so much for sharing about both of your graduations. Best of luck in your next chapter!
In more exciting news, Maya Stanko and her husband welcomed their first child, Owen Thomas Stanko, in May. Congratulations, Maya, to you and your growing family! Maya also shared a personal reflection on our Dartmouth Commencement, writing, “It meant a lot to me to be able to walk at graduation. The weekend before senior week, I went home to New Jersey for a friend’s graduation party. The morning I was set to return to Dartmouth, I awoke to horrible pain and was rushed to the emergency room. It turned out that I had gallstones. The doctor recommended surgery that week, which meant I would not be able to return to Dartmouth to walk the stage at graduation. After a lot of begging, the doctor agreed to let me leave the hospital to return for graduation. I arrived back on campus on the Friday of senior week and, despite missing most of the plans I had made with friends, I was still able to walk the stage before returning to the hospital for a successful surgery the next week.” Maya, thank you for sharing your story. I know I speak for all of us when I say we are grateful you got to celebrate your achievements and receive the care you needed. Wishing you the best!
Thank you again to everyone who has submitted memories and updates for the column. There’s no update too small, and it’s always great to hear what everyone is up to. Until next time!
—Emily Choate, 406 Marlborough St., Apt. 3, Boston, MA 02115; (603) 305-5346; eschoate@gmail.com