1977
September's arrival inevitably obligates one to remember those many essays once written entitled "What I Did During My Summer Vacation." I can remember when the ten weeks of summer seemed like an unending period of freedom the swimming pool, late nights outside after dinner playing with the neighbors, and the Fourth of July. Is it a sign of old age when summer suddenly becomes that time of year when I have to get dressed up in unmentionable heat to go to the office? "Unending" Summer is now over before I know it and I must admit that my activities would hardly make good essay material.
There are classmates, though, who took time these past few months to send word of what they have been doing. Fredrika Pierson began a new job this summer as a regional co-director for the Campaign for Dartmouth, working out of it's Boston office. Fredrika was previously working in Flanover as an assistant to the director of admissions. Congratulations and best of luck go to her as she seeks to get blood from the turnips in the class of '77.
Scott Thayer was able to relate news of several classmates and their summer activities. Richard Mark spent the summer preparing for the New York bar exam, after graduating from Columbia Law School. He'll be clerking for a federal judge this year. Maura Harway is working for the McNeil-Lehrer Report on P.B.S. as their financial consultant. After graduating from The Fletcher School, Bulent Shemi is in the Bankers Trust training program. As for Scott, he; graduated from The Fletcher School with a master's in international affairs. He spent a year working with an energy consulting firm in Washington, where he struggled with such problems as nonproliferation and solar thermal electricity generation. In July, Scott •entered the U.S. Foreign Service as a political officer. After a six-month training program, he'll be stationed overseas and will send his address for all '77s wandering 'round the girdled earth.
The following (how could I edit?) was sent in by Cort Delaney: "After I graduated (barely), 1 spent the summer touring Europe, wearing my brightly colored umbrella hat. I then retired to Vermont to assume a position which capitalized on my God-given inborn talents, that of a bartender at the Stratton Mountain Inn. I spent most of my time servicing the needs of the ski bunnies in the lodge. After many nights of riotous behavior, 1 decided to become a lawyer and moved to N.Y. to attend Fordham Law School. I live in complete squalor with several other Big Greeners; including 'Bags'Bagsby. I spend my days at the 'Cort'-house (yuk! yuk!) and my nights at Pedro's preppy bar (that is when the trip downtown to the Lone Star Cafe seems too long)."
Also in New York City is Rick Stillman. In fact you might see him on the street should you be visiting the city. Rick has been pursuing an acting careef and seems to have worked up a repertoire of rags and early vaudeville tunes which he sings and plays on the tenor banjo. Rick seems to have enjoyed a great deal of success with his acting career. He has performed on Broadway in Canterbury Tales,Mummenschanz, and Take It From the Top with Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee. He also went on a national tour of Twelfth Night with Jean Marsh and Ellis Rabb. Next came Hamlet with Rip Torn and Geraldine Page, for which Rick wrote the music. At the time his letter was written, Rick was performing the part of the young priest in Thomas Murphey's drama. TheSanctuary Lamp. Rick says he occasionally sees Jennifer "Tweety" Warren.
Kevin Pettee, who withdrew from the formal curriculum in the spring of 1975, has returned to study full-time at the College as a philosophy major. He has completed a four-year tour of duty with the U.S. Navy and received a meritorious award for exemplary conduct while on duty. When asked about the prospects for future use of a bachelor's degree in philosophy, Mr. Pettee responded: "Humanum est errare. Ignotum per ignotius. Sic itur ad astra." Arcane? Yes, but we may also have confidence that somewhere in the graduation ceremonies for the class of '81 he will represent the class of '77 most splendidly.
A few quick notes to finish up: Linda Markin has joined the ranks of responsible adults, hav- ing purchased a small farm in Roxbury, Vt., with a friend. It is located on Warren Mountain just over the knoll from the condominium craziness. They're hoping to hold the condos and creeping inflation/recession somewhat at bay with a large garden, a few pigs and chickens, and a lot of friends. Ben Phister is living in Paris with his wife Sophie and working for. a French software house as a computer programmer. John Kulik has been living in the Stroudsburg, Pa., area where he has been working for I.G.A. Foodmart as an assistant manager in the East Stroudsburg store. Despite a lengthy hospitalization last year, he is doing well and is eager to see any classmates in that area. Finally, Bill Brown was graduated in May from the St. Louis University School of Medecine.
Until next time.
These Dartmouth rowers competed on U.S. Olympic crews in Europe this summer.Front row (from left): Nancy Vespoli '77, Charlotte Geer '80, Judy Geer 75,Coach Peter Gardner. Back row: Bets Kent '77, Kurt Somerville '79, Tom Hull '79.
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