Class Note 2009

I’m sure a few of you have heard about this Dimensions controversy going down at Dartmouth. For those of you who haven’t, it seems the administration decided to change the format of the Dimensions show to accommodate more people. According to the College, they are restructuring the show into a few smaller, isolated shows that will take place in various residence halls. According to students and alumni, however, they are murdering a sacred tradition. The knee-jerk reaction to this news has been fascinating. As soon as it was announced, there were rage-soaked editorials in The D, rampant e-mail chains and a Facebook group called “Defending Dimensions” that currently has more than 1,500 members. I’m no different—as soon as I heard they were even considering changing the show, I wanted to storm the Green with protest signs and a megaphone. All of this begs the question, why are we so protective of a 30-minute performance in which students re-write lyrics to pop songs and sing at confused 17-year olds? What about this tradition strikes such a chord with us? Speaking personally, I think the Dimensions show, like Trips, represents the best of the Dartmouth student body. It is a passing of the torch, a silly-but-serious expression of the love and excitement that the upperclassmen have for the underclassmen. It is an all-inclusive, openhearted welcome into a community of creative, passionate individuals who only want you to be yourself. That’s the message that the Dimensions show sends to prospective students: We love it here, and we know you will too, so come be a part of it. I’m sure that by the time this column is published, the issue will be resolved and some compromise will be reached. For now, I cannot help but be proud of the students and alumni who have sworn to protect this small but important tradition. 


Maxwell Copello got engaged to Jenny Cooke on August 25, 2012. They will be married in Stockton, California, on August 31. Congratulations!


David Schmidt is moving to New York City. He’ll be working on a documentary film on the Vietnam War.


Diana Dinescu writes,“Last fall I entered a clinical psychology Ph.D. at the University of Virginia (in Charlottesville, Virginia).” Hit her up if you’re around!


Elizabeth Weber is completing her final semester of clinical rotations and will graduate with her D.V.M. in May, after which she will join the equine racetrack practice of Teigland, Franklin and Brokken, D.V.M.s, as an associate veterinarian.


Will Imbert is now working as an assistant preschool teacher.


Adam Holt is pursuing an M.P.P. and M.B.A. at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis.


Jon Livadas started working in Mugatu’s San Francisco office and recently signed his first male model, Martin Bernstein, who, after a successful underground modeling career in Washington, D.C., will be moving to San Francisco to work in Mugatu’s Derelict line. 


Taylor Holt has moved to San Francisco. He works at Norwest Venture Partners with a handful of other Dartmouth alumni. 


Elias Tapley writes, “I’m about to head into the eternal spring of Medellin, Colombia, to visit the adventurous and always welcoming Danny Michlewicz. I’ll also be catching up with Johannes Lohman and Avnish Gungadurdoss while exploring the city.”


Shannon Bowman writes, “I finished my master’s in social work in spring of 2011. Last fall I moved back to Windsor, Ontario, and am now working at a community health center in a high-risk neighborhood doing long-term counseling.”


That’s all for now folks. Lest the old traditions fail! Class of ’09 love.


Peter Rothbard, 2490 Purdue Ave. #7, Los Angeles, CA 90064. (407) 421-4676; peter.s.rothbard.09@alum.dartmouth.org

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