Class of '71 - Newsletter---Steve Zrike
August 2000PRESENTING . . . the first Class of 1971 Newsletter of the THIRD MILLENNIUM!
This is just my sheepish way of saying that this is the only Newsletter that I have been able to scrounge together this year. If you guys (and gals, as you’ll see) would give me a break and send a few scribbled lines, I might be able to get these out a bit more often. (Nothing like rationalizing my laziness by blaming you!)
On the College front, what seemed like it would be the issue of the decade – the Trustees review of social life on campus (a.k.a. the future of fraternities) – was a major fizzle. It is heartening to see that, despite their elevated SAT scores, student attention spans don’t seemed to have grown since the late 60’s. In other words, student debate quickly turned to more important issues like the quality of food on campus and whether Collis is spelled with one "L" or two. Suffice it to say, the Administration’s belief that the controversy would "blow over" was, once again, found to be uncannily correct. I have now read over the paragraphs to do with fraternities several times in the tome the College sent me and it seems clear to me that the recommendations are not very clear. Nevertheless, the committee did recommend that Coed, Fraternity and Sorority (CFS) organizations be allowed to remain in existence, "providing that they undergo substantial change and that the Board of Trustees conduct a comprehensive review in five years". Seriously, the Board did grapple with the fact that these organizations do play an important social role on campus, but that much of the behavior associated with them is, shall we say, foreign to the spirit of a truly Liberal Arts educational institution. It will be interesting to observe not how the trustees vote on this (I assume that they will approve the recommendation of their Committee), but what comments they make in the approval process. Watch this space for further developments! (Hopefully, they’ll be a bit timelier.)
On to the news of the Class . . . we have a first in this Newsletter. I received not one, but two notes from a couple of the coeds who joined our class for a brief, but historic time during our junior and senior years. Cathy Rines writes:
Believe it or not...I have not kept in touch with any Dartmouth coeds from 1970-71.
I believe that women students were invited to Dartmouth for two years: 1969-70 and 1970-71. Each was invited to study for one year. Most came during their junior year and returned to their original school (Smith, Mt. Holyoke, etc.) for senior year and graduation. I believe there were only a few other senior women, such as myself. We just returned to our original schools for graduation ceremonies.Dartmouth Alumni records might have some coeds listed. They were very gracious when I asked to be put on their computer lists as a special student.
Good thought, Cathy, I will check with them. Thanks for taking the time to write. I also got one of those distinctive green postcards from one of your sisters, Dolly Fleet Corlin, who now lives in Colorado.
I attended Dartmouth 1969-1970. I graduated from BU in 1971. I’m currently a Special Education teacher in the Littleton Public Schools. I’m married and have 3rd grade daughter. I keep up with Dartmouth people through the newsletter (now I really feel guilty – Ed.) and occasionally attend alumnae functions.
If any of the other pioneering ’71 alumnae are reading this (are you listening, Meryl?) I hope you will let us know what you are doing and give us your perspective of Dartmouth.
Did you ever get one of those little plastic sleeves from the US Postal Service that say "We care" and contains the mangled remains of what was once a letter? I got part of one of those aforementioned green cards from Joe Semmes (who reminds us that Ben and Mougli were his "alter egos"). Joe, if I missed anything, I’m sorry. I did read enough to get some great news: (I’m) studying and practicing medicine in Portland, ME. My scans show "no evidence of disease". Almost 2 years after a Whipple procedure (panweatico duodenectomy) for what was thought to be inoperable metastatic islet cell cancer of the pancreas. My wife Elonide is a principal in (not readable). We have two teens and . . .
That’s all she wrote! Well, anyway, Joe, we’re all thrilled that you are well. Write again soon.
The Dartmouth clipping service has been at work and sent me a number of newsy tidbits. Curt Welling was re-elected to the Board of Finance for the Town of Wilton, CT . . . Rick Swist was appointed Director of Intermunicipal Services for Chautauqua County (New York). Rick is a public policy specialist and strategic planner with more than 25 years of experience in public administration . . . Bruce Barker was recently written up in Canada’s Survey of Leading Banking Lawyers. Bruce is Managing Partner of the McMillan Binch law firm in Toronto . . . During a recent visit of the dance troop MOMIX to West Point, the Poughkeepsie Journal did a profile of its director, none other than our own Moses Pendleton. Moses was one of the founders of Philobolis, but later broke away to form MOMIX. As the article points out, "The company is known for its combination of movement and invention. It’s shows range from stunning to just silly." . . . Jonathan Frost works as a painter and printer in Camden, Maine. The Rockland, Maine Courier-Gazette profiled Jonathan to mark the publication of his first book, Gowanus Dogs from Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Gowanus Dogs is a children’s story based on a series of etched prints Jonathan did for his Master’s thesis in 1995 at the School of Visual Arts in New York. Jonathan, who also teaches oil painting and etching, is now at work on his second book . . . Finally, Lew Harriman was profiled by Heating/Piping/Air Conditioning Magazine last year. Lew is a consultant specializing in humidity control technology and is the author and illustrator of The Dehumidification Handbook and the Commercial Desiccant System Application Guide. He has been a consultant since 1986 and earlier in his career was a Captain in the Air Force assigned to the Engineering Services Directorate of Strategic Air Command (SAC) Headquarters.
The award for largest distance traveled by a green postcard goes to . . . (drum roll please) John French who lives in County Wicklow, Ireland. John writes that "having spent 25 years in the Corporate world mostly with Ciba-Geigy/Novartis, I resigned to start my own business in the field of Tourism and fitouts. 50 is a great time to change lifestyles." I agree, John – I just want to know what a "fitout" is.
As one who has a difficult time envisioning the day when all of my five progeny are finished with their educations, I read Bill Harter’s card with envy:
Ellen and I have joined the ranks of the "empty-nesters" with the departure of our second (and final) son for college. Way too much free time now; no more high school sports to follow.
For better or worse, Dartmouth lineage has come to an end. Both boys declined offers of admission to become third-generation Hanoverians (grandfather ’41, great-uncle ’38, father ’71 and uncle ’77). Tris is a senior at Georgetown, Britt a freshman at Yale. C’est la vie. I’m looking forward to the 30th reunion.
By the way, Bill and Ellen lead their lonely existence in Potomac, Maryland. And, I know that many of us join Bill in looking forward to next year’s reunion.
What a great segue to talking about next year’s CLASS OF 1971 THIRTIETH REUNION (is that bold enough?). Pete Webster, who was coerced into taking the job of reunion chairman, tells me that the festivities are planned for June 14-17, 2001. Here’s his update . . .
You asked for some newsletter "teasers". Well, here goes--at this point, nothing is finalized or in stone, but I've selected a 1st and 2nd choice for lunch and dinner sites for Thurs, Fri and Sat, and we've got some new options never before available. Again, this is a tentative schedule of events, and we may be adding/changing venues and activities: Thurs PM--dinner at Class Tent (front of Middle Mass) Fri Noon--Storrs Pond, Area 1. Fri PM a cocktail party/reception at the new Baker Library on our way down to Occum Pond and the DOC House (Thayer Hall as backup) Sat. Noon--Boathouse down near Ledyard or the Crew, or the new MacLean Lodge out at the Skiway, which is supposed to be spectacular, seats 400. Sat. Dinner at the Bema, or at Alumni Hall, with a reception at the Hood Museum Courtyard. The record 30th attendance (alums only) is held by the Class of 60--139 alums, total attendance record held by Class of '36, with 297. I do think we can and should break the 139 figure, handily, if we get out the word early and often! Mickey Stuart, who is an importer of fine French wines, will be donating many cases of grape juice for the dinners, and I'm looking for any other donations (souvenirs, etc.) to help keep the head tax down.
I do need classmates to come forward and volunteer to be on the committee (not an awful lot of work . . . and they get their names on the reunion letterhead!!)
I am looking for 5 more key people--someone to organize the entertainment/sports events, another to organize the intellectual side/panel discussions; a Class Dinner coordinator; an attendance person, and a Food and Beverage person. . . . Also, a souvenirs/gifts coordinator. Other ideas to fill out the reunion: I’m planning on a large (hopefully we can take over all 65 beds) turn out at Ravine Lodge Wednesday, so we can all see the beautiful new Class of '71/Benton Bunkhouse and the great new equipment in the kitchen that the Dreisbachs donated. My brother's Class of '65 had a silent auction that raised $25,000 for their Class project, and we could do same. Also, possibly an art show featuring classmates' and their spouses’ works of art could be held at the Hood. I am open to any and all suggestions.There you have it . . . you heard it here first. Watch this space for breaking news on this fast-changing Reunion story. If you’d like to volunteer for one of Pete’s high-paying Reunion jobs, just contact him by e-mail or by any of the more convention technologies. His e-mail address is EssexCT@aol.com.
More news from Maryland . . . Tom Marshall is . . . Working as Managed Care Compliance Coordinator for Maryland Insurance Administration in Baltimore. After 20 years of consulting, it’s nice to have a "9 to 5" job. My wife Kathy is a nurse at University of Maryland Medical System in Baltimore. Daughter Kristen is a scholarship (sophomore) lacrosse player at Hofstra. Daughter Caitlin graduated in June and will attend Towson University as a scholarship lacrosse player. Son Andrew, my last hope for a Dartmouth legacy, is a High School sophomore soccer player!
That’s all for this month. PLEASE send me more news that’s fit (or otherwise) to print. Use the little green postcard or, if you’re cheap, send me an e-mail at SZRIKE@aol.com.