Dear 99s, I must begin this update on a sad note. On Thursday 12 May, we lost our classmate Phatiwe Cohen after an intense bout with ovarian cancer. More than 200 friends and family gathered into a tiny room at a funeral home in Boston, to say good-bye. Those attending included Jennifer Lawinski, Vanessa Ferro '00, Michael Bruno, Jason Whaley, Daniel Jordan, Chad Sclove '97, Leonardo Stezano '96, Sandra Martinez, Melissa Maggio, Chris Davilla, Rebecca Prestel, Aisha Burrell, Domingo Martinez '00, and Alyssa Mocharnuk-Macchia. Phatiwe dedicated her life to helping others. Friends described countless occasions when Phatiwe was there for them, listening and guiding without judging. She also shared her heart with the HIV/AIDS community in Boston., co-ordinating programmes for patients through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Describing Phatiwe's funeral, Michael Bruno wrote that "it was extremely heartwrenching to see how many people she'd touched over her short life and how many people were moved by her passing." As Annette Gaynes notes, Phatiwe wanted others to celebrate her life rather than mourn her death. Those wanting to remember Phatiwe are urged to have a drink in her honour, and are invited to make donations to the Phatiwe Cohen Memorial Fund of South Africa Partners, Inc (see obituary for further information).
In brighter news, Cynthia Anderson and Patrick Hansen '97 were married on 28 May in Grantsburg, Wisconsin with a reception in Siren, Wisconsin. This part of the country is very special to Cynthia's family, as her great grand-parents settled there when they emigrated from Sweden. Rev. Michael Fonner ‘72, who officiated the ceremony, made the wedding even more memorable. Having known Cynthia and Patrick since their relationship began ten years ago during Cynthia's freshman year, Pastor Fonner began his homily by saying: "Patrick and Cynthia, it's about time!!" Cynthia and Patrick's marriage was off to a great start, as they spent their eight-week honeymoon exploring Brazil, Argentina and Chile. Congratulations to Cynthia and Patrick, and best of luck in your lives together!
I also have good news to share about graduate school accomplishments for Lee Istrail and Kallie Willets.
Lee Istrail graduated with Honours from the George Mason University School of Law on 21 May. In the fall, Lee will join the Antitrust Group of Collier Shannon Scott in Washington, DC. Lee lives in Arlington, VA with his wife Rebekka Sand Brooks Istrail '01, who works as a Production Editor at Rowan & Littlefield Publishing Group in Lanham, MD. While at George Mason, Lee had an opportunity to work with several Dartmouth alums. He took a Contracts course with Prof. Todd Zywicki '88, and assisted Prof. Zywicki at the Federal Trade Commission during the Summer of 2003. Lee also served as Symposium Editor of the George Mason Law Review, and organized a conference on European Union Antitrust Law in October 2004 with the help of James Rill '54 and his firm Howrey Simon Arnold & White. Victoria Huber '89 was also very helpful for Lee, giving him helpful job advice in role as Director of Career Development and Alumni Services.
On 8 June, Kallie Willets successfully defended her thesis and was awarded a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Stanford University. Kallie focused her research on "Nonlinear Optical Chromophores for Single-Molecule Spectroscopy." Her father, Rick Willets '69, writes that Kallie will do her post-doctoral research in the laboratory of Richard Van Duyne at Northwestern University, focusing on the use of metallic nanoparticles for biosensing applications.
Good work to both Lee and Kallie!
This issue's Class Notes reminds us of how important it is to celebrate friendships, chase dreams, and follow our hearts. We never know the choices that lie before us, or how much time we have in life. That's all the news for now. I look forward to your further updates.
Tony Perry
tony.perry.99@alum.dartmouth.org