1962

Vice President CharlieGiersch, who besides making frequent personal '62 contacts, as former class secretary avidly reads and clips '62 news, including two recent articles. The Boston Globe reports the purchase by five Brits, including our A. PatrickGiles, of the Burke Mountain Vermont ski resort. Pat's worldwide entrepreneurial interests are mind boggling and keep him continuously in the air. Best wishes for success to Pat in this close-to-home investment.

In a comprehensive and thought-provoking article titled "Left Out in Middle Years" (The Boston Globe 11/30/95), RossBurkhardt, speaking as president-elect of the National Middle School Association, urges dramatic changes in middle-school education. Too few middle schools today are meeting the needs of their young adolescents, who are "cognitively ready for new intellectual challenges but emotionally still thrive best in the security of the classroom setting of the elementary school."

Those of us who are or married to middle-school educators, and perhaps those few '62s whose children are middle-schoolers, are well aware of the overcrowded classrooms; middle-school teachers' lack of specialized training in understanding adolescence, and curricula not addressing the need for hands-on activities. Too many communities are failing to devote attention and funds to these issues. Ross's knowledge and leadership is so vital in addressing the issues facing our children (and grandchildren) in their crucial period of development.

As anticipated in an earlier column, and now recently reported in the Wall Street Journal, Reebok International Inc. has reported the promotion of Robert Meers to head its Reebok brands division. Unfortunately this promotion from within the ranks means that Paul Duncan, COO, now must assume additional responsibilities. Paul's Dartmouth and Tuck background, particularly his tutelage under professor James Brian Quinn, will help him weather the storm!

The November 1995 issue of The IrishAmerican Magazine highlights WilliamShanahan. Besides confirming Bill's position as president and COO of ColgatePalmolive with its $7.7 billion revenues and 25,000 employees worldwide, the article cites both Bill's Dartmouth education and, more importantly, his Irish heritage. Bill is a third-generation Irish-American who can trace his father's family roots to County Tipperary.

Both the Wall Street Journal and Time magazine recently reported in depth the goals of seven current or former politicians, including former Democratic Senator Paul Tsongas of Massachusetts. The group, in defining a new centrist political philosophy, hopes to change the behavior of the Democratic and Republican parties but acknowledges that its efforts could lead to an independent presidential bid or perhaps a new party. Not wanting to bring up political controversy, perhaps we should only discuss certain religious issues!

Thanks for your holiday and New Year greetings! Included in Tom Komarek's greetings was the draft of our 1962 constitution (now an IRS requirement), which some 30 '62s are reviewing for the class. Tom's draft provides for '62s continuing practice of directly electing our president, secretary, treasurer, and alumni councilor, as well as members of our executive committee, at reunions.

A final note via e-mail (a first!), social chairman Kent Hutchinson reports winning again for Homecoming '96 the use of the faculty lounge! Keep the news coming. We really want to hear from you!

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