Reunion Recap, Part 5: At Saturday night’s dinner on Baker lawn all former class presidents were recognized: John Hauge, Wayne Davis, Thad King, Paul Sehl, Steve Kessner, Bob Barr, and Mark Harty. All were present, save dear Mark, but Sally White Harty joined us, acknowledging the bittersweetness. Ray Sansouci’s widow, Nancy, also attended. To raise funds for class scholarships, Steve Kessner began auctioning a bottle of highland malt whiskey donated by Sue Gordon and Greg Barnhart; purchased by Everett Cook for $2,000, who promptly opened it and took a swig. Everett then proceeded to conduct the auction of two bottles of 1973 scotch malt whiskey donated by Bill Nisen. One was purchased for $3,500 by Chris Walker, who drove to the reunion from his home in Port Townsend, Washington, and the other was acquired by Mark Fields for $2,000. Thanks to all three for aiding the scholarship fund.
Livingston Taylor’s concert in refurbished Rollins Chapel followed dinner. It included an early group singalong of “Getting to Know You” and a concluding community rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
Bright and early sunny Sunday reunion attendees wearing signature 1973 straw hats gathered by Rollins Chapel to enter the 253rd graduation ceremony, where the 50th reunion class was acknowledged by the announcer and had reserved seating. See opening minutes of www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTis3jXH45k. John Kemeny was recognized for reinvigorating the founding purpose of the College: education of Native youth. The Rev. Nancy Vogele ’85 prefaced her invocation with “If it isn’t hard to leave, were you ever really here?” Unlike in 1973 there were large video screens so attendees could see the proceedings and every graduate’s name was announced when walking across the stage. Most seniors had one or more cords or stoles as well as a cane with varying insignia. Commencement comments by filmmakers Phil Lord ’97 and Chris Miller ’97 are amply covered in College publications, as well as the last official act of outgoing President Phil Hanlon ’77.
Kudos to Bob Haynes, who shepherded our class project from inception to completion, to John Neff for keeping track of finances, and to Bob Barr, “Bunk” Rosenblum, and Rick Routhier for an exceptional 50th reunion. Having worked on seven reunions, Bob has expertise that proves invaluable; Bunk does whatever is needed, including serving ice cream in the late-night tent; and Rick is proficient at addressing crowds. Their supportive wives—Brenda, Gretchen, Tricia, Nancy, and Sarah Kahn—also deserve thanks. As Claus Hamann wrote: “Hats, and not just straw hats, off to all class leaders for staging such a welcoming, all-encompassing, and thought- and emotion-provoking event! So much more than fuzzy feeling! The flood of reconnections and resurfacing of memories were a treat.”
Jim Ryan endeavored to photograph it all and Suzanne King, Thad’s wife, took numerous pictures. See https://1973.dartmouth.org for reunion photos. Nils Johnson quipped: “It was a nice reunion, except I kept wondering who all the old people were.”
This wraps up the 50th reunion report. Mark your calendars for June 12-14, 2028, only four years away!
—Val Armento, 227 Sylvan Ave., San Mateo, CA 94403; valerie.j.armento.73@dartmouth.edu