Thirty-eight years ago this month most of us graduated from high school, and four years later, most of us marched across the stage in front of Baker library to receive our Dartmouth diploma. (Of course, since it was printed in Latin, most of us had to look at the little card that was placed on our seat to find out what it said.) Classmates still educating kids take note--back then it cost approximately $12,000 for the whole four years and your parents thought that was expensive! I begin this month's column with this bit of history to get you thinking about our 35 reunion that will be held in Hanover on October 8-10, 1999. Mark your calendar and plan to be there.
Three months following their graduation from high school 47 members of the class moved into Gile Hall for their freshman year. Last month I began my chronicle of the current exploits of the "men of Gile," and this month I have more of the same. Starting with former Deke brothers, NELSON CARMEN and JOE DELCORE. Who reside in Wakefield, Mass. Nelson is a customer service representative for BCG Communications, a cellular services company in Burlington, Mass., and he has been especially active in the College's Club Officers Association and the Boston Club. Joe is an independent practicing attorney in Everett and until recently was the owner of J & M Smoke Shop, a local hangout for scratch ticket players. I also received a call from JAN DEPHOUSE (Devon, Pennsylvania) who reports that he has responded to being "downsized" by enjoying life with an improved golf game and a healthy tan from sailing in the Caribbean. Living well is the best revenge, congratulations, Jan! Concerned about El Nino? Call JOHN TOPPING in Washington, DC. John is the president of the Climate Institute an organization he founded in 1986 to place climate changes on the U.S. and international policy agenda. John and his wife, Linda, are both lawyers and used to practice together, but John figured he had a better chance to have influence if he tried to control the weather so he founded the institute. Seriously though, John's most interesting current project is an effort to "green" the United Nations Headquarters buildings in New York prior to the fiftieth anniversary in 2000. He also reports that he recently participated in a videoconference for Dartmouth seniors arranged by the College's career services office. I wonder if the two activities are related. And finally, DANIEL S. CONNELLY (South Burlington, VT) returned my call to say that he has had to put his computer services business on the back burner to become a full-time father to his two teenage children following the death of his wife, Dorothy. The class sends its condolences to Dan and his family.

I will be bringing you up to date on the lives of many more Gile alumni in the months ahead so don't miss an issue. But more importantly, mark the date of our 35th reunion on your calendar and be there to talk to them yourself. The dates? October 8-10, 1999.