If you were wondering what becomes of a college newspaper editor-in-chief, we filled you in on that one in our May column, relaying the news of the recent publication of Toms River by our very own Dan Fagin. While celebrating his latest publication exposing the toxic cancer cluster in that New Jersey town, we neglected to relay the complete update on Dan. After 14 years as the environmental writer at Newsday, since 2005, Dan has been an associate professor at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at New York University and the director of the NYU science, health and environmental reporting program. So it should come as no surprise that our former Daily D editor-in-chief recently reconnected with our former Daily D editorial editor—none other than Elise Miller. Turns out that both Dan and Elise pursued journalism after Dartmouth with a common draw toward environmental issues—Elise traveling to India in her early years, while Dan reported on environmental health issues closer to home. Since completing her master’s in education at Harvard in 1992, Elise has dedicated herself to strengthening the scientific and public dialogue on the impact of environmental factors on human health. 


Now back to the reconnection of Elise and Dan. Elise currently serves as director of the Collaborative on Health and the Environment (CHE). Elise had what she sincerely describes as “the privilege” of interviewing Dan about his new book this past April, the recording of which you can access on the CHE website. At the outset of the interview, their personal ties dating back to when they were 19 years old are acknowledged by both, along with Elise praising Dan’s work in the field of environmental epidemiology. In his following opening remarks, Dan applauds Elise’s departure from journalism into public activism with the very astute observation that “journalism’s loss has been advocacy’s gain.” You said it, brother! Reconnection complete. In addition, Elise officially joined the ranks of the Women of Whidbey (and, no, that is not a calendar). Elise is one of several women residents of the island in Washington who have been invited to participate in a series of TED-like talks, discussing their passions in life. 


So if investigative journalists, public health advocates and overall thought leaders are not enough of a sign of our maturing class ranks, how about tossing a judge in the mix? Our very own Dave Carson took the bench in Virginia on July 1. As he writes: “In April the Virginia legislature appointed me as a circuit court judge for the 23rd judicial circuit of Virginia. I am of course excited, but my excitement is tempered by the reality of shutting down a 23-year practice. For the past eight years I have also been heavily involved in our public school system, serving as the chairman of the Roanoke, Virginia, city school board for the last seven years and the chairman of the Roanoke Valley Governor’s School for the last three years. I am not able to continue on either school board after I take the bench and I will miss them greatly. Public education is a worthy cause and a worthy investment.” I don’t know about you, but I get modestly more hopeful about the prospects for improvement when proactive minds like Dave’s are engaged in the education dialogue. 


Whether early or belated, let me continue the closing comments from John’s previous class column and extend happy 50th birthday greetings to one and all. The half-century milestone is nothing to take for granted and we wish everyone a healthy and happy next half-century.


All the best to all of you!


—Leslie A. Davis Dahl, 83 Pecksland Road, Greenwich, CT 06831; (203) 552-0070; dahlleslie@yahoo.com; John MacManus, 188 Ringwood Road, Rosemont, PA 19010; (610) 525-4541; slampong@aol.com