1976

Our class project has been the Class of 1976 Scholarship Fund at the College. Thanks to the dedication of class treasurer Melanie Matte and the generosity of many classmates, the scholarship fund is on sound financial footing. I thought you might be interested in a quick update on the fund and its first recipient, Kathryn Fields '01, daughter of our own Peter Fields.

The Class of '76 Fund has two main criteria: scholarships go to descendants of our class and to outstanding women athletes. Applicants falling into both categories, as you might expect, get preference. If there are no applicants in either category, the Financial Aid Office awards the scholarship using its general scholarship award criteria. Once designated as a Class of '76 Scholar, the student receives the award for all four years.

The number of scholarships awarded at any one time depends on the principal balance of the fund (i.e., amount of contributions, not market value of the account). Presently we have roughly $60,000 in principal. This is enough to award a partial scholarship to one Class of '76 Scholar at any given time. If we raise a total of $300,000, we can fund a full ride for one student or up to six partial scholarships at any given time.

Katie Fields, the first Class of '76 Scholar, is both a descendent of our class an accomplished athlete. Katie attended Hotchkiss, where she played varsity basketball and Softball, and is pursuing a career in education. Katie sent us a delightful letter last August, excerpts of which follow: "Dear Class of '76, as of September (1998), I will have spent a full year in Hanover. I am working full time at the C. Everett Koop Institute this summer, which is where I work during the school year part time. I am truly enjoying my experience here at Dartmouth, and while it can be intensive and frustrating at times, I am constantly overwhelmed by the magnitude of resources at my disposal. I have a strong interest in becoming a history teacher. This summer I sought out professors in the history and music departments to help me pursue some specific interests. They were not immediate teachers of mine, but they treated my requests with the utmost respect and as much expediency as can be hoped for in an academic institution.

"Dartmouth has been wonderful for me academically, but it has also been wonderful for me financially. Part of the reason I chose Dartmouth was the 'needs blind' policy and the promise to help every student who has been accepted. The past few years have been extraordinarily difficult for my family and me financially. Because of my family's situation, I have been financially independent for the past year. It has been a struggle at times, and I have worked as much as my studies will allow. Without your generosity, I could not be here to pursue my dreams. I am very excited about my future, and I count myself as incredibly lucky to have the encouragement and resources of an institution like Dartmouth. Thank you very much for helping me to have this opportunity. Sincerely, Katie Fields."

It was gratifying to receive Katie's thanks, and to see that our class project is accomplishing its goals. As the 25th Reunion approaches, we might consider trying to raise enough principal to fund additional Class of '76 Scholars. It is difficult to think of a more enduring legacy than the successful education of future generations.

Please take a minute and send news of yourself and classmates to:

957 Gold Belt Ave., Juneau, AK 99801; (907) 586-4000;

'76's art crowd Howard Lay, Julia MillerSheperd, and Lawrence Nichols, p.31