Class Note 1974
Issue
November-December 2026
Class Note 1974. Alumni Council rep Jeff Baxter provided highlights from the May Alumni Council meeting. Jeff’s full report is on the class website.
President Beilock focused her remarks on how her administration is addressing what she considers the four primary issues facing Dartmouth: the general lack of trust in higher education institutions; housing issues (undergrad, graduate, and staff); providing equal opportunity by establishing genuine meritocracy consistent with diversity and affordability; and generating a positive return on investment—all in the context of providing maximum support to all students. She pointed to three efforts: the evolving Center for Career Design, focused on providing career guidance aligning with liberal arts interests and emphasizing the availability of internships; Dartmouth Dialogues, a program encouraging and facilitating students listening to different points of view; and the continuing emphasis on research, naming several areas of focus where Dartmouth is, or should be, a leading institution.
Of note was trustee board chair Gregg Lemkau’s explanation of the decision to create the College of Arts and Sciences, which the board deems necessary to maintain the importance and definition of undergraduate studies in the evolving university complex that is Dartmouth.
A main topic of conversation during two days was the call by the student government, the Student and Presidential Committee on Sexual Assault, and the Women of Dartmouth alumni group for the College to “dename” the Black Family Visual Arts Center (BVAC). Leon Black ’73, named in the Epstein files, was the principal benefactor behind the center. President Beilock and Lemkau indicated that no decision on denaming the BVAC will be made until the ad hoc committee appointed by the board completes its work.
After reading the DAM article about the work of Tiernan Sittenfeld ’96 with the National Parks Conservation Association, Andy Krakoff brings to our attention the efforts of John v. H. Halsey. In 1983, John founded and developed the Peconic Land Trust (www.peconiclandtrust.org), based in Southampton, New York, providing steady leadership since then. A quick perusal of the trust’s website reflects the important efforts and accomplishments achieved. Andy writes, “What John has accomplished is truly incredible, protecting more than 14,000 acres of land in eastern Long Island.” Well done, John.
After A Better Chance in Woodstock, Vermont, and Tucker San Francisco intern stints and law school, Andy represented federal employees for 40 years as a national counsel for the National Treasury Employees Union. Andy married exchange student Jeannie Sternberg, who was among the first cohort of women at Dartmouth. A lawyer, Jeannie specialized in death penalty post-conviction cases. The couple moved to Hawaii in 2021 with Jeannie passing in 2023. Adult son Michael is an actuary; daughter Emily lives with Andy and aspires to develop a boutique adventure firm. There’s more to tell, but I’m at my word limit. Call him!
Send news or I’ll have to make something up—about you!
—Bill Geiger, 7521 Sheffingdell Dr., Charlotte, NC 28226; (847) 322-5920; 1974damnotes@gmail.com
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More of 1974 Class Notes
President Beilock focused her remarks on how her administration is addressing what she considers the four primary issues facing Dartmouth: the general lack of trust in higher education institutions; housing issues (undergrad, graduate, and staff); providing equal opportunity by establishing genuine meritocracy consistent with diversity and affordability; and generating a positive return on investment—all in the context of providing maximum support to all students. She pointed to three efforts: the evolving Center for Career Design, focused on providing career guidance aligning with liberal arts interests and emphasizing the availability of internships; Dartmouth Dialogues, a program encouraging and facilitating students listening to different points of view; and the continuing emphasis on research, naming several areas of focus where Dartmouth is, or should be, a leading institution.
Of note was trustee board chair Gregg Lemkau’s explanation of the decision to create the College of Arts and Sciences, which the board deems necessary to maintain the importance and definition of undergraduate studies in the evolving university complex that is Dartmouth.
A main topic of conversation during two days was the call by the student government, the Student and Presidential Committee on Sexual Assault, and the Women of Dartmouth alumni group for the College to “dename” the Black Family Visual Arts Center (BVAC). Leon Black ’73, named in the Epstein files, was the principal benefactor behind the center. President Beilock and Lemkau indicated that no decision on denaming the BVAC will be made until the ad hoc committee appointed by the board completes its work.
After reading the DAM article about the work of Tiernan Sittenfeld ’96 with the National Parks Conservation Association, Andy Krakoff brings to our attention the efforts of John v. H. Halsey. In 1983, John founded and developed the Peconic Land Trust (www.peconiclandtrust.org), based in Southampton, New York, providing steady leadership since then. A quick perusal of the trust’s website reflects the important efforts and accomplishments achieved. Andy writes, “What John has accomplished is truly incredible, protecting more than 14,000 acres of land in eastern Long Island.” Well done, John.
After A Better Chance in Woodstock, Vermont, and Tucker San Francisco intern stints and law school, Andy represented federal employees for 40 years as a national counsel for the National Treasury Employees Union. Andy married exchange student Jeannie Sternberg, who was among the first cohort of women at Dartmouth. A lawyer, Jeannie specialized in death penalty post-conviction cases. The couple moved to Hawaii in 2021 with Jeannie passing in 2023. Adult son Michael is an actuary; daughter Emily lives with Andy and aspires to develop a boutique adventure firm. There’s more to tell, but I’m at my word limit. Call him!
Send news or I’ll have to make something up—about you!
—Bill Geiger, 7521 Sheffingdell Dr., Charlotte, NC 28226; (847) 322-5920; 1974damnotes@gmail.com