Class Note 1984. If you’ve visited campus this fall, you’ve certainly crossed paths with a ’30, perhaps even Casper de Clercq’s son Lucas!
Among those helping usher in this new era of freshmen was Julie Levenson’s daughter, Cate Pittman ’27, part of the “Croo” at the “Sklodj.” Allow me to translate: Cate cocaptained the support-logistics crew at the Skiway, ensuring students taking part in first-year trips received a warm welcome and energetic introduction to the spirit and traditions of the College as they cycled through either the Skiway or Moosilauke Ravine Lodge, enjoying meals, activities, camaraderie—and a fresh supply of moleskin along the way. Although some of the terminology is new, what I trust remains unchanged is the powerful, positive experience and lasting impression for the trippees.
Alix Madigan-Yorkin’s daughter, Dolores ’29, ended spring term on a high note, although Alix reported that her husband was quite puzzled by Dolores’ enthusiasm for Green “Tea” Weekend. Not sure if consuming beverages rich in antioxidants was on the agenda, but here’s hoping a good time was had by all!
Alix, an empty nester now that Dolores and her twin sister (a sophomore at Bowdoin) have flown the coop, was a producer on the film Horsegirls, which recently received rave reviews and a nomination for a DARCY (Disability Arts and Culture Award). It’s a coming-of-age story about a neurodivergent young woman empowered by joining a hobby horsing team. (Yes, hobby horsing is officially a sport, one that originated in Finland and combines athletic ability, gymnastic skills, and textile art.) It’s one for your watch list!
June in Hanover set the stage for a multi-generational Tuck School graduation for the family of Mia Luehrmann. Mia’s son, Aron Cowen-Luehrmann, approached the dean before Tuck investiture with a request: Could his 84-year-old grandmother, traveling from California for the ceremony, be recognized as well? Although Mia’s mom, Martha Luehermann, received her M.B.A. from Tuck in 1977, Martha was unable to attend her own hooding ceremony. Juggling the responsibilities of a grad student, faculty wife, and busy mom at the time, she’d undercooked a pork roast just days before finals and ended up in the hospital with a life-threatening case of trichinosis (leading to a months’ long recovery at Dick’s House).
Making up for lost time, the dean helped put a grand plan into action. Martha Luehermann was announced as one more graduate being celebrated, receiving a standing ovation from faculty and students, being adopted as an honorary member of her grandson’s class of ’26, and seeing the new grads vie for photo ops with her at the end of the ceremony! Mia, who officially retired from the Temple University faculty in 2024, still teaches a limited number of physics and astronomy undergraduate courses and volunteers teaching math to second, third, and fourth graders in Philadelphia, forming a school math club, and using creative math and games to identify a nimbleness with numbers that allows more kids to excel.
—Deana Washburn, 209 Casino Ave., Cranford, NJ 07016; deanadw@aol.com