1974
Five years ago, having been transformed during a short ceremony from students to alumni, we ventured off into life after Dartmouth. By now, our first major reunion will have passed and with it a unique chance to remember the four quick years. Above all, cheers to the organizers of the event and the success it was for all.
Firm in the present, but remembering the past, the news of last winter carried highlights from a good season for Don Nielsen, a contender for the U.S. Winter Olympic Nordic Team. The Valley News recorded Don's number-one spot in the 1978-79 biathlon national racing season after three events. After competing in the 1976 Winter Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Don last year began study of target shooting with Dartmouth Rifle Team Coach William DeVaux. According to a Dartmouth news release and a clipping from the Portsmouth, N.H., Herald, Don was by February still in the thick of international competition and having "outstanding success." He wears fame well, as he still was patient with a dyed-in-the-wool downhill skier one day at Devil's Thumb, Colo. Good work, Don!
The Boston Sunday Globe announced last winter that Mike MacKinnon was married November 24 to Maria Corona Garcia at the National Cathedral in Mexico City. Mike graduated from Southern Methodist University Law School before joining the law firm of McKenna & Fitting. Maria is an alumna of the National Autonomous University of Mexico Medical School. They will live in Los Angeles.
An excellent follow-up of news on Jay Conger was made possible when he wrote last winter. Responding to Tony Caliendo's request, Jay said he has enjoyed working as manager of international marketing for the Solarex Corporation in Rockville, Md., while living in Alexandria, Va. He noted that the firm is the largest manufacturer of solar cells and solar electric systems. In his spare time, Jay indulges in backpacking and has spent a summer with wilderness outfitters in Alaska and two weeks in an Outward Bound winter leadership skills course in Maine. He also is active with the Gestalt Institute of Washington, D.C., in organizational development programs. Thanks for the letter, Jay.
Last February, John Palme forwarded a clipping from the San Francisco Examiner's coverage of the musical doings at the Ghirardelli Wine Cellar. As part of the night spot's "Composers' Night," John presented some of his own work. Described in the reviews as an "eccentric mathematics-computer science type who specializes in delicious lyrics," he was said to be "without question the hit of the evening because of the off-beat style of his songs and the delivery." Singing "a bunch of brilliant songs - 'Cruisin' (Down the Radio Dial),' 'Thirty Miles from the City,' and 'Leftovers,' ... (he was) somewhat overwhelmed by the noisy response he generated." Thanks for sharing the news, John.
The Providence, R.I., Sunday Journal announced last winter that Walt Donat and Susan Marie Gaeta were engaged to be married October 13. Walt graduated from Brown University Medical School and Susan graduated from the University of Rhode Island College of Nursing. Congratulations!
The notable blacksmith work of Brian Cummings was cited in a January issue of the VallevNews and a March issue of the Laconia EveningCitizen. Brian, a researcher of medicaid errors in Concord during the week, pursues blacksmithing by hand durjng weekends. He appeared at the Hop last winter for a student workshop program and maintains his own shop, Hellfire Forge, in West Plymouth. Working without electricity, Brian uses authentic tools and fashions works of art and utility. In his analysis of medicaid errors, he has identified characteristics common among erring applicants, that prove true with 94 percent accuracy. Clearly, Brian has mastered two trades at once!
Thanks to notes written by dues-payers, we received some informative bits of news last April from Treasurer Jack Thomas.
Tom Berdeja said that he had a good summer with Donovan, Leisure, Newton & Irvine in New York and a nice trip to Mexico City and Acapulco before returning to Yale Law School. He hopes to spend next summer in Washington and then to practice in Memphis after graduation. Word about Dick Pantalone was kindly passed along by his mother; he was to graduate from the University of Pittsburgh Medical School in May. Also, he qualified for the Boston Marathon and is a contender to be the torch-carrier at the U.S. Olympics in Lake Placid. Best of luck, Dick!
A note from Chip Baldwin said that he remains at Citibank as an account officer helping potatoe and sugar beet farmers and dairymen out of trouble as a member of the agribusiness department. Chip ran the NYC larathon in 2:46 (No. 329) and acquired a sailing vessel as well. He notes that Mark Ransom and his wife Bonnie '75 moved to Houston. Mark left Bankers Trust for a position with Trammel Crow real estate agents, where he handles commercial dealings. Bonnie landed a fine teaching position at a private school in the area. Thanks for the note, Chip.
Evident from the enclosure sent by LarryDoyle is the fact that he works for the California legislature's Assembly Republican Caucus Staff. He wrote on his card that his title is deputy director, media relations; Larry indicates that this insinuates he has a role of "propagandist supreme." At the other side of the country is John Cart, who graduated from Buffalo Dental School in May 1978 and now practices in downtown Buffalo. He's eager to welcome '74s in town.
Steve Bohlen said he will have completed his Ph.D. in geology during the spring at the University of Michigan before moving to L.A. for a post-doctoral fellowship at UCLA in the study of crystal evolution and magma genesis. He recalled last spring's marriage rites for BradGilman, attended by the Ransoms, Keith Hippen '76, Tom and Jane Ludlow, Jeff andRita Jones, Chip Crossman '72, and Jim Gottschalk '72. Steve and his wife Kim also helped out with the showing of Dartmouth family members. Good notes, Steve!
Many more dues-related tidbits will have to wait for the fall. Our fifth reunion ends the first term of the officers of the Class of 1974. As a new secretary will have been elected during reunion week in June, I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have sent muchappreciated news, making my job easier.
419 Pontiac Street Denver, Colo. 80220
Editor's note: Steve Severson was named 1979 Class Secretary of the Year at the annual Class Officers Weekend in May. "During your tenure as the Class of 1974's first secretary," his citation said, "you have set for other secretaries an example of dedication and established a precedent for conscientious performance that will be difficult for your successors to duplicate."
