Class Note 1973

The 250th celebrations wrap up.

Reunion coincided with the 250th anniversary of the College’s founding; 250th insignia and banners everywhere. December 13 is Charter Day, so celebrate, especially if you can make the final hurrah in Boston!

More on reunion: Classmates Andy Caffrey, Sheila and Bruce Foster, Richard Merrill and Thea Fabio, and Paul Sehl breakfasted with professor Edward Bradley to chat about their fall 1971 adventures while on their foreign study program (FSP). Per Paul, “We spent over an hour reminiscing about the travels we took while we were in Italy (separate one- to two-week jaunts in two Fiat microbuses to Etruria, Florence, and Naples, Pompeii, Capri), the unexpected events in Italy that since have turned into funny stories, the various people that we met along the way, the wonderful Italian cuisine (which we all agree is second to none) and the lessons of a lifetime that we learned. We also raised a glass of orange juice to those ’73s who were on the FSP but were not able to join us for breakfast: Reed Greene, Alexis “Luc” Oliveri, Trevor Rees-Jones.” Also noteworthy, Richard had an emergency appendectomy in Boston three days before arriving in Hanover.

Toward the end of President Hanlon’s panel, “Disrupted or Disruptor: Dartmouth in a Changing World,” some young alums interrupted with a request the College divest from fossil fuel entities. Subsequent to reunion, Bob Soltess sent an email to several class officers: “I wanted to share with you some thoughts I have related to the divestiture protest that occurred at the Spaulding Auditorium last Saturday. It sent a powerful message to everyone in the auditorium about the impending climate crisis and an important step Dartmouth could take to play a small but symbolically critical role in addressing the crisis. I know it makes folks uncomfortable to be in the midst of such a demonstration, but what better time to bring the issue forward? The auditorium was filled with intelligent, thoughtful, and frankly powerful people who have the resources and the capabilities to make a serious difference in the battle we all collectively face over the coming decades. Divestment is just one of many issues that need to be tackled to effectively meet the climate challenge. On a personal note, my avocation for the remainder of my active years will be working to mitigate the climate crisis in whatever ways I can. That said, I greatly admire the bravery and conviction of the young demonstrators who take action in order to save the world for all of us. I hope some of you and many others in the audience will be inspired to take actions as well.” Bob recently was appointed to the Gig Harbor, Washington, planning commission.

Calendar for 50th reunion: June 9-12, 2023, with Commencement June 11.

Word was received that in February, Edward Cooke died in his sleep at home in The Villages, Florida. Bob Conway spoke about Ed during the memorial service. His obituary may be found in the online edition of this magazine at www.dartmouthalumnimagazine.com.

—Val Armento, 227 Sylvan Ave., San Mateo, CA 94403; valerie.j.armento.73@dartmouth.edu