Class Note 1972
Hail, noble ’72s, far and wide!
Winter is loosening its icy grip on the Hanover Plain as your humble scribe sends best wishes to all!
My alter ego in information sharing, John Rockwell, has recently sent out another of his exceptionally crafted newsletters. Despite John’s expert sleuthing for news, I still have managed to garner a few tidbits to offer you.
Our esteemed classmate and web guru Marc Josephson was on campus in December along with Jamie MacArthur to oversee the installation of a new energy-saving lighting control system in the West Gym. Dubbed Coris ECS, the project is the product of Marc’s company, J&F Labs (with several Dartmouth investors and partners—mostly ’72s and ’73s), and features wireless electronic control of high-efficiency lighting fixtures. Wireless installation eliminates the need for expensive conduits and wiring to the fixtures, and the programmable control functions optimize energy consumption by allowing users to tailor the amount of lighting both to the space and the type of activity going on at any given time. Get this: The lighting system can be controlled from any authorized web browser or mobile device, so a facilities manager doesn’t even have to be on campus to make adjustments should an unusual request arise outside of normal business hours or should adjustments be needed “on the fly” during an event without having to wait for someone to come on site. Marc is working with the College on potential upgrades for other major facilities such as Leverone, Thompson Arena and Leede Arena. Very nice work!
Our VP Bill Schur shared this anecdote as he was leaving for Beaver Creek, Colorado, for the Dartmouth Lawyers Association meeting along with Greg Yadley and Dan Cooperman. “Recently my younger son Danny and I were in Venice, Florida, visiting my stepmother. While strolling the beach we ran across a car with Vermont plates in the parking lot. A nice couple were sitting in front of the vehicle, enjoying their view of the Gulf of Mexico. I introduced myself and told them that one of my classmates, John Burke, was a lawyer in Castleton. The lady told me that they were from Rutland and that Burkie is her cousin. Small world.”
Indeed, and this segues nicely into more news about Burkie, who has just been named telecommunications committee chair within the National Association of Regulatory Committee Commissioners (NARUC). Among the challenges the committee faces are universal service reform, consumer protection and smart-grid issues while working to insure that new developments and technologies work for the benefit of consumers. Burkie has been a member of NARUC since February of 2001 concurrent with his service as a member of the Vermont Public Service Board. Congratulations, Burkie!
My next column will arrive concurrent with reunions here in Hanover, which prompts me to remind everyone to start planning for our own 40th in 2012.
Please contact any of our class officers with ideas on how to make our gathering truly memorable!
Yours always in green.
—Lauren “Duff” Cummings, P.O. Box 580, Hanover, NH 03755-0580; lauren.cummings@ dartmouth.edu
