What an outstanding job was done by our class co-head agents for the Dartmouth College Fund (DCF), Harris McKee and Hank Eberhardt, along with the assistance of Denny Denniston, class president, Rog McArt, class representative to the Alumni Council, and the many, many other classmates who both contributed and solicited other classmates to contribute to the DCF. The results were a credit to the class, as we exceeded both our dollar goal and our participation goal. In fact, our participation achievement of 72 percent ranked tied for third among all classes. Kudos to all of our classmates for this team effort.


Kudos also to Pete Palin and John Damon, our class’ co-gift planning chairs, for their outstanding achievement in signing up 10 new classmates to join the Bartlett Tower Society (BTS) during the current year, so that we now have a total of 43 classmates who have agreed formally to have Dartmouth listed as a beneficiary in their last wills and testaments. As a result of their efforts, and the encouragement and follow-up leadership of our class president, Pete and John were recognized directly by the DCF and the class of 1961 received a special recognition award (one of only four given) as a result of their achievements relating to BTS.


Francesca Gazzaniga ’07, the daughter of Charlotte and Mike Gazzaniga, former dean of the Dartmouth faculty and currently the director of the Sage Center for the Study of the Mind at the University of California, Santa Barbara, was married in August of this year to another apparent intellectual (based on his creds). Between the four members of that now extended family, they have enough degrees to start their own university. As you may recall, Francesca spoke to our class along with Mike about five or six years ago; they both were eloquent and informative.


David Birney reported that the names of the performing artists that the ongoing Class of 1961 Legacy Fund will be supporting for the coming 2014-15 season have been announced. The schedule will include four performing artists, including the well-known and highly popular jazz musician Wynton Marsalis. As one of the largest funds dedicated to the visiting performing artists series at the Hop, the ’61 legacy fund helps make possible the presentation of preeminent artists from the American traditions of folk singing and jazz music. Currently, the fund balance amounts to approximately $1.2 million. This program is a unique contribution by our class to Dartmouth College.


Mini-reunion co-chair Dave Prewitt has announced that the spring 2015 ’61 mini-reunion in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, has been set for Sunday, April 19, to Wednesday, April 22. Limited hotel reservations at a special low rate are available at the Williamsburg Lodge in the center of the historic district—call (800) 261-9530, mention “Dartmouth Class of ’61 Reunion” and use code #32210. Dave and Joan “guarantee” a good time for all who attend.


Tom Conger, class newsletter editor for decades, is moving from Hanover, his home base for the past several years after leaving Hawaii, and is moving to Portland, Oregon. Best of luck, T.C.


—Victor S. Rich, 94 Dove Hill Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030; richwind13@gmail.com