1980

One of Dartmouth's greatest strengths is its community. Through Dartmouth we are able to connect with one another in the class of 1980 and with all the other members of the Dartmouth family. A member of the class of 2002, Benjamin Herson, says it better than I can: "With the help of the Laurie Van Buskirk Memorial Fund I was able to attend a DOC trip, and I had a wonderful time. With ten other fellow 'shmen and two upperclassmen leading the way, I hiked to the top of Mt. Cube and Mt. Smarts. I have never in my life seen a night sky so beautiful as the one I saw that second night. [M]y parents had told me about being left at college, alone for the first time, but I didn't experience that feeling. I think the reason is simply because the DOC trip diverted all of my attention. I didn't have time to feel alone, and by the time the trip was over, I had found so many friends that I couldn't consider myself to be alone anyway. The Dartmouth community is amazing. In 1980, when those of you who've made this possible for me were graduating, I hadn't even had my first birthday yet. Still, we're family. I don't think I could have come to any other school and felt so at home."

Mini-reunion organizer extraordinaire Dan Zenkel reported on the community found at Mt. Moosilauke this past July. Unlike other reporters, Dan freely confesses to incomplete information and a poor memory, especially for names. Keeping that disclaimer in mind, classmates attending along with a variety of spouses and children included Jodee Anderson (husband Larry and five-year-old James), Leilani Crane (husband Jim Godder and three children), JoanClements Francis (two children), GeorgeLester (wife Blanche and two children), Mike Wall (wife Suzanne and three children), Bart Littlefield (wife and four children), Lauri Sanduski (with husband and two sets of twins), Meg LePage (four children), Joe Misiewicz (wife Georgette and three children), Ed McNierney (one child), Jon Herron (and son), Kevin Boyle (eightyear-old child), Bob Burnham (two children), David Teplow (wife Wendy and four children), and Dan Zenkel (daughter Nicole, age four, and possible other family members). James Anderson was the youngest male to the top of Mt. Moosilauke on the Saturday climb. One of Bart Littlefield's brood was the youngest female to summit. Meg LePage's oldest, a girl, was the first to reach the top. Saturday ended with cocktails, dinner, and a square dance. The weekend was fun and affordable. Look for similar events in the future.

Ray Blackwell is a cardiothoracic surgeon at the Medical Center of Delaware. The Boston Globe calls Ray "the running surgeon." Ray was the 400-meter champion at the U.S. Master's Indoor Championship in 1995 and 1996 and finished third in the 800 meters back in May.

Carol Morrison Willard will be sharing the duties of class columnist through the end of our term at our 20th Reunion in June 2000. Please send news to Carol at her address below.

P.O. Box 9848, Savannah, GA 31412; (912) 944-1639 (w); (912) 236-4936 (fax); (912) 352-0284 (h); ; 30 Cricket Drive, Sturbridge, MA 01566; (508)347-2341;