Class Note 1990
Inspired by Conan O’Brien’s Commencement address, this month I asked ’90s: “If you were asked to give the Commencement address at Dartmouth, what would be your core message?” As expected, I received many excellent responses.
Laurin Grollman: “Perspective is key, don’t sweat the small stuff, be nice to everyone and do what makes you happy. It’s worked well for me so far!”
Paul Haffner: “Always remember that there are more horse’s asses in the world than there are horses.”
Alvino-Mario Fantini: “Explore the world. Follow your interests. Be intellectually curious. Do things with passion. And, above all, keep learning.”
Scott Facher: “Bold mistakes may ultimately define one’s artistry, character and humanity; to live one must court passion and take risks.”
Scott Mackle: “The most insightful part of O’Brien’s speech was at the opening, where he said, ‘Before I begin, I must point out that behind me sits a highly admired president of the United States and decorated war hero while I, a cable television talk show host, have been chosen to stand here and impart wisdom. I pray I never witness a more damning example of what is wrong with America today.’ Of course he was going for laughs with this comment, but there’s a great deal of truth in it.”
Mark Sternman: “Live the lessons Dartmouth taught: be kind; read deeply, widely and well; and enjoy nature in all seasons.”
Parker Karnan: “Know the difference between nice and kind. Know the difference between busy and productive. Know the difference between power and influence. Know the difference between successful and great.”
Rob Adams: “To whom much is given, much is expected. Yeah, yeah, the heavy graduation speaker message, but double the years on the spinning orb since June of 1990 provides quite the perspective, eh? The privilege of an adult life in the Upper Valley, to boot, helping employ a lot of folks who didn’t get to do what we did, while getting to watch firsthand the undergrad crowd on campus enjoy the perhaps at times intense but still surreal experience we all had, leaves one feeling pretty humbled by all of our good fortune. Hope you’ll holler if you pass through Hanover or want a great table (they’re all great, of course) at Simon Pearce” [where Rob is president].
Kyrie Robinson: “Don’t worry if you still don’t know what you want to be when you grow up. Just find something interesting to do and start living your life, even if you can’t imagine doing that thing for more than a few years. Be prepared to switch jobs as inspiration strikes and be prepared to grab interesting opportunities when they appear.”
Ali (Maud-Alison) Long: “I just completed a paper, ‘Promoting Sustainable Food Systems Through Impact Investing.’ It’s on the home-page of the foundation I run, where you can click to download it, www.thespringcreekfoundation.org.”
Robin Lapre: “It’s okay to stray from the beaten path when you are young. You will look back at those days fondly, and it will supply great stories for your next job interview.”
Michael Lindgren: “Don’t eat the yellow snow.”
Matt Nadler: “Do what you love. You’ll be better at it and happy.”
And some classmate news: In March Adrian Owens competed for the U.S. ski-orienteering team at the world championships in Tanndalen, Sweden. He anchored the men’s relay team to 15th place, passing the Ukraine skier but not quite catching Japan.
Diane Mutti Burke, an associate professor of history at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, recently published her book, On Slavery’s Border: Missouri’s Small-Slaveholding Households, 1815-1865.
—Rob Crawford, 27 Roberts Road, Wellesley, MA 02481;robertlcrawford@yahoo.com; Walter Palmer, 87 South St., Rockport, MA 01966; palmerwalter@mac.com
