Class Note 1993
Issue
Are you finding the sudden urge to dive back into Paradise Lost or Heart of Darkness? It must be the end of September. Twenty years ago this month we attended Convocation, fretted about the honor code and got through our first experiences in a ’shmob to arrive at what we came to college for in the first place: class. Many of us were introduced to the Rassias method, waking up for dreaded early morning language drills. (“Wakarimasu ka?” *snap* “Hai! Wakarimasu!”) I also remember my fall freshman seminar with particular fondness: Professor Garthwaite’s “Iran/Persia: Image/Reality.” I remember it not for my stellar work in the class—when I taught college writing myself as a grad student I used one of my papers from this class as a scathing example of bad writing—but rather for some stimulating intellectual debate. Much of the fireworks came from bantering between Chris Seldin and Marshall Billingslea; only about four weeks into the course did we realize these guys who were at each other’s throats in class were roommates. I managed to catch up with Chris, who related that he is “back in Colorado, working for the county attorney’s office in Aspen. My work blends environmental and child welfare law—though the recession has, unfortunately, emphasized the child welfare side lately. Fortunately those difficult cases are balanced somewhat by having the gondola four blocks from the office. I also serve on the town council in Basalt, population 3,500—along with Pete McBride. Dave Cramer, another agitator in local politics, lives a few houses up the street from me.” This must certainly make Basalt, Colorado, the city with the highest per capita population of ’93s, which means we should definitely hold some reunion event there. (Let me know if there are any other cities like this!) In any case take the time this month to drop a note to other classmates you might remember from freshman fall—or maybe contact the professors: Garthwaite might be amused that I actually taught Hedayat’s The Blind Owl a couple years ago.
Some updates were inspired by previous Class Notes: Back in April I mentioned that I was inspired by Elizabeth O’Hara Solan’s Facebook photograph atop Machu Picchu. That inspired David Krause to send in a note about his involvement in the development of free, reliable GPS for Peru. Google “Peru Ruteable” for more information on what is really a fascinating grassroots mapping project in South America.
In June I mentioned that my trip group bastardized a version of “Shower the People” once we got to Moosilauke. The lead singer of “Shower Me with Real Soap” was none other than Matt Brzica, who reminded me of the actual title. He writes, “I moved back to Minnesota in 2001 after getting my M.B.A. at Cornell. Since that time I’ve changed jobs three times, but at least can boast that we’ve had more kids (four) than job changes. Perhaps a little Henry VIII syndrome was pushing that since it took until No. 4 to finally have a boy.”
Finally, I mentioned that I was the fourth-youngest person in the class. It turns out that at least 11 of you are younger than I am. Thanks for setting me straight—and happy 37th to us all!
This month is Homecoming, so why not share your past (or present) Homecoming stories and pictures for the class of 1993 fan page? It’s your online connection to all things Dartmouth, young alum and 1993 conveniently located on Facebook! Stop in regularly for ’93 specific events or just to see which freshman trips photos have recently been posted!
—Jeffrey Middents, 505 Ethan Allen Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912; dartmouth93@gmail.com
Nov - Dec 2009
Are you finding the sudden urge to dive back into Paradise Lost or Heart of Darkness? It must be the end of September. Twenty years ago this month we attended Convocation, fretted about the honor code and got through our first experiences in a ’shmob to arrive at what we came to college for in the first place: class. Many of us were introduced to the Rassias method, waking up for dreaded early morning language drills. (“Wakarimasu ka?” *snap* “Hai! Wakarimasu!”) I also remember my fall freshman seminar with particular fondness: Professor Garthwaite’s “Iran/Persia: Image/Reality.” I remember it not for my stellar work in the class—when I taught college writing myself as a grad student I used one of my papers from this class as a scathing example of bad writing—but rather for some stimulating intellectual debate. Much of the fireworks came from bantering between Chris Seldin and Marshall Billingslea; only about four weeks into the course did we realize these guys who were at each other’s throats in class were roommates. I managed to catch up with Chris, who related that he is “back in Colorado, working for the county attorney’s office in Aspen. My work blends environmental and child welfare law—though the recession has, unfortunately, emphasized the child welfare side lately. Fortunately those difficult cases are balanced somewhat by having the gondola four blocks from the office. I also serve on the town council in Basalt, population 3,500—along with Pete McBride. Dave Cramer, another agitator in local politics, lives a few houses up the street from me.” This must certainly make Basalt, Colorado, the city with the highest per capita population of ’93s, which means we should definitely hold some reunion event there. (Let me know if there are any other cities like this!) In any case take the time this month to drop a note to other classmates you might remember from freshman fall—or maybe contact the professors: Garthwaite might be amused that I actually taught Hedayat’s The Blind Owl a couple years ago.
Some updates were inspired by previous Class Notes: Back in April I mentioned that I was inspired by Elizabeth O’Hara Solan’s Facebook photograph atop Machu Picchu. That inspired David Krause to send in a note about his involvement in the development of free, reliable GPS for Peru. Google “Peru Ruteable” for more information on what is really a fascinating grassroots mapping project in South America.
In June I mentioned that my trip group bastardized a version of “Shower the People” once we got to Moosilauke. The lead singer of “Shower Me with Real Soap” was none other than Matt Brzica, who reminded me of the actual title. He writes, “I moved back to Minnesota in 2001 after getting my M.B.A. at Cornell. Since that time I’ve changed jobs three times, but at least can boast that we’ve had more kids (four) than job changes. Perhaps a little Henry VIII syndrome was pushing that since it took until No. 4 to finally have a boy.”
Finally, I mentioned that I was the fourth-youngest person in the class. It turns out that at least 11 of you are younger than I am. Thanks for setting me straight—and happy 37th to us all!
This month is Homecoming, so why not share your past (or present) Homecoming stories and pictures for the class of 1993 fan page? It’s your online connection to all things Dartmouth, young alum and 1993 conveniently located on Facebook! Stop in regularly for ’93 specific events or just to see which freshman trips photos have recently been posted!
—Jeffrey Middents, 505 Ethan Allen Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912; dartmouth93@gmail.com