1994

As a young alumni class, we are used to turning to our Class Notes section with enthusiasm about the most recent marriage, job promotion, or academic pursuit. But as a young alumni class, we are notyet used to turning to our Class Notes section for a lesson about life. However, in today's article, I would like to pay tribute to a classmate of ours who has passed away, not only because I would like to share some of the heartfelt remembrances I have received about her, but also because, as a busy young alumni class, it may help us each to take a moment out of our own schedules and appreciate the people in our own lives—those who helped shape our Dartmouth experience; those who helped us before, during, and after our time in Hanover.

Cheri Lynn Pinkerton passed away in December while she was studying abroad in Cairo. Although I have already written an obituary for Cheri, outlining her many accomplishments both at Dartmouth and beyond, which will appear in an upcoming issue, I would like to devote a bit more time in talking about the person she was, and the lives she touched.

The first notice I received of Cheri's death came from David Shelby '89, who was studying with her at the American University in Cairo. An Asian studies major at Dartmouth, Cheri came to Cairo last year to continue her studies in Arabic. She received one of a handful of scholarships for a year of study at the prestigious Center for Arabic Studies abroad at AUC. David describes Cheri as "an exceptionally bright and dedicated student."

He explains that "while the rest of us struggle to produce grammatically correct sentences, she was writing poetry and short stories in Arabic. Her intellectual curiosity did not stop with the language, however, as she was also anxious to learn as much as she could about the culture around her. In particular she was interested in the mystical religious practices of Sufi orders." David shares the sentiment of many of Cheri's closest friends when he mentions that in addition to being "a profoundly perceptive person," she also had "a wonderfully ironic sense of humor and frequently had us in fits of laughter..."

Cynde Bierman will always remember Cheri for her "unconditional love and friendship." "There are no words that can fully describe the kind of person she was," explains Melissa Cunningham, "no words that can fully express the experience of knowing her."

But the words of her friends do fully express the amount of love and respect Cheri evokes in them: "If we can all accomplish as much as Cheri did in her lifetime," says Candy Shoemaker, "than we have all lived a long and meaningful life."

Cheri Pinkerton will be remembered for her intelligence, humor, and wit, and for her genuinely kind personality which has left its indelible mark on many lives. For those who knew her, I hope this article may serve as a reminder not of her death, but of her life, and how much their own lives have been enhanced by her friendship. For those who did not know Cheri, I hope this column will remind them to stop in the midst of whatever path they are currently pursuing and appreciate the people who became part of their lives at Dartmouth.

The purpose of this column, as you know, is to help us all keep in touch, and to help us, through our shared friendships, keep alive what Dartmouth means to all of us. As always, I look forward to making that possible, so take care and please keep writing.

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