Class Note 2003

Fall is upon us again and my nostalgia for Dartmouth is overwhelming at times. How lucky were we to have spent four years in such a special place?


I recently heard that the book A Practical Guide to Racism by C.H. Dalton, written by our very own hilarious Sam Means, was officially deemed a national bestseller and can now be purchased in paperback too. Sam also received his fourth Emmy nomination this year for writing for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart; he won an Emmy in 2006 for the same category. In addition a short that Sam wrote called “Barack Obama: He Completes Us,” which was aired on the Daily Show and can easily be found on its Web site (and is definitely worth watching), was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Short Form Picture Editing. It’s probably safe to say that Sam is showing most of us up these days. Congratulations!


Sara Baron wrote to let us know that “On June 6 I was ordained as an elder in the Wyoming Conference of the United Methodist Church. Class of ’03s present to celebrate with me were Keith Burdette, Rod Beaton, Kristin Weekley, Rachel Wolfe, Hilary Alvarez and Alex Streeter (and their beautiful Brynna!). Mark Alvarez ’69 was there too. I get to see John Ashworth and John Olsen ’05 this coming weekend as we go to Miami to finish celebrating. Who knew it would be so fun to become a minister?” All the best, Sara, as you begin your ministries.


Congratulations also to Rebecca Gibbons (formerly Davis), who got married to Ryan Gibbons (Wake Forest ’03) on a beautiful Maine afternoon September 6, 2009. “Stephanie Bonan, the maid of honor, and Molly Miranda ’02 (formerly Stutzman), the matron of honor, delivered a memorable toast at the reception. Other alums present for the celebration included Jocelyn Bernatchez, Jorge Miranda ’01, Margaret Sloat ’01 (formerly Kuecker), Sarah Fougere (formerly Grisin), Josh Fougere, Rob Karl, Beth Rabbitt ’04, Alison End (who came all the way from Swaziland!), Ben Davis ’08, Ann Merrifield, Tu’79, and Wayne Davis ’73, Tu’79. We may have been slightly outnumbered by those Demon Deacons, but we knew our ‘Alma Mater’! Ryan and I continue to live in Washington, D.C., where I recently began a Ph.D. program in government at Georgetown University.”


Zachary Keane also sent in an update. “I turned in my dissertation on Tuesday so I have finally finished my Ph.D. in physics at Rice University. Next up I’m headed to Sydney to take a research position at the University of New South Wales. I’m very excited!” I’m sure Zach wouldn’t mind some visitors over in Australia.


Finally, I also heard that Joyce Fu Martin gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Ludivine Fu Martin, on June 29. Ludivine has already made it to see Hanover in person and posed for some pictures with mom and her grandfather, Dr. Freddie H. Fu ’74, DMS’75, all wearing Dartmouth green. 


—Jill Haltigan, 6316 Riverfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15238; jill.haltigan@gmail.com