1976

33 School Street Needham, MA 02192

When I wrote last, I was hoping the groundhog prophecy would bear true—an imminent spring. Alas, as I write there is snow falling and the thermometer is stuck in February. Surely, by the time we see this column in print, we will all be enjoying real spring . . . won't we?!

I have just received word (and picture proof) of the wedding of Michael Shnayerson to Cynthia Stuart, an actress and writer, "whose family just happens to have as much Dartmouth green woven into it" as Michael's does (father, Robert '50). Michael and Cynthia are "happily ensconced in new digs in Brooklyn Heights, from where bride sallies out in search of acting jobs while groom slogs on as a contributing editor to Vanity Fair and Conde Nast's Traveler magazines." Michael is also working hard to complete a biography of the writer Irwin Shaw for G.P. Putnam's. Congratulations!

Perhaps Cynthia should be giving our own Paul Lazarus a call! He was recently pictured in The New York Times as he directed and co-produced the Leonard Bernstein song concert, an evening celebrating the composer's 70th birthday year. The February 29 concert was a part of the longrunning Composers' Showcase Series, which has been running for 31 years. A marvelous salute to one of the great musicians of all time. I wish I'd been there. Such a diversity of skills within our class. While Paul Lazarus is rubbing elbows with Lenny, Reggie Williams is bumping shoulder pads with the Cincinnati Bengals, and has done so brilliantly for the past 12 years. Reggie was interviewed recently by the ChristianScience Monitor after he spoke at the dedication of the John W. Berry Sports Center, at Dartmouth. The Monitor called Reggie an "intellect in tiger's clothing." Reggie feels a strong sense of responsibility to fulfill a leadership role, having achieved a highly visible position as a black athlete. He told the Monitor, "The athlete in this situation has a tremendous challenge not only to overcome the black stereotype, but the black jock stereotype. This is one of the goals I have, to express not just athletic prowess, not just verbal articulation, not just flair, but academic accomplishment and community concern." Reggie has been active in Big Brothers, Big Sisters, American Red Cross, The Cincinnati Zoo, and has developed the Reggie Williams Scholarship Fund, which helps area students pay for a college education. Among other awards, this past year Reggie was named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans by the U.S. Jaycees. Reggie is married and has two children.

Another Dartmouth athlete who has gone on to great things is Richard Nichols. Since graduation Rich has worked as a legislative aide to a state senator, earned both a master's degree in educational administration and a law degree, edited a national running magazine, been on the U.S. track and field team, and coached runners at Dartmouth. And now he is an entrepreneur. Rich and his partner, a former Olympic fencer, have started Athlon Sports Management Group, a company offering personal business management for athletes and a service called "sports marketing," which includes "creating, managing, and finding corporate sponsors for sporting events." Best of luck in your new enterprise, Rich.

I just received news of the tragic death of our classmate, Linda Young Murray. In January Linda and her husband, GeorgeMurray, were skiing at Snowmass Ski Area outside of Aspen, Colo., when she struck a tree. Linda and George had been on vacation with their two daughters, Emily 7 and Julie 4. I know the class joins me in expressing our sadness and greatest sympathies to George and his family. An obituary will appear in a future issue.

"Children hold spring so tightly in their brown fists—just as grownups, who are less sure of it, hold it in their hearts."—E.B. White