1976

Once again, thanks to the College, I have information to pass on. If the spirit moves you when you read this column, run to the computer and pass along some news. With the state of e-mail and the Internet, it's painless, and it would help a classmate in need. 'Nuff said.

I did have a chance to read David Schmahmann s book, Empire Settings, and enjoyed it. It delved into areas that we hear so much about, but few of us experience firsthand. We'll be looking forward to the second in his two novel series, The Ivory Dinghy, which is already in progress.

Washington University in St. Louis passed along a copy of its March i, 2002, newspaper that contained a feature highlighting the work and contributions of Ralph J Damiano Jr., M.D., Chief of cardiac surgery and the John Schoenberg Professor of Surgery. The article highlighted Ralphs work in pioneering many innovations in heart preservation as well as his being the first American to use robotic techniques during heart surgery. The article stresses the important innovations Ralph has used while ultimately trying to make heart surgery less invasive. Ralph lives in St. Louis with his wife, Diane, Ph.D., associate professor of neurological surgery, and their three children.

News comes from the office of the College counsel that associate general counsel SeanGorman will be leaving and, effective October 1, will be joining Sheehan, Phinney, Bass & Green. Although the firm is in Manchester, New Hampshire, Sean will continue to reside in Hanover and will serve as Sheehan Phinney's principal representative in the Upper Va- lley. Sean joined the Colleges legal staff in 1985 after practicing several years with Foley, Hoag & Eliot in Boston. Sean served as acting college counsel from October 1999 to August 2000 and recently successfully represented the College in oral argument before the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Sean will be joining classmate "Pistol" Pete Cowan, who has been with Sheehan Phinney in Manchester since soon after law school.

Franklin & Marshall College announced that Stefanie Valar, formerly associate director of development and director of regional cam- paigns, is now senior associate director for major planned gifts. Stefanie has been with F&M since 1995.

I received a copy of the summer 2002 newsletter of the Vermont Council on the Humanities. The front page sported a picture of new executive director Peter Gilbert. The Vermont Council on the Humanities sponsors a speakers bureau, reading and discussion programs, conferences, grants programs and humanities-based literacy efforts for a variety of targeted audiences to reach thousands of Vermonters each year.

A last-minute item passed along by class Webmaster Mark Friedman, who is spending time in Israel, tells of a project in Israel involving Mike Madeson. Mike is about to open a tourist attraction in Israel featuring miniature replicas of Israel's historic and modern sites. I haven't had a chance to look, but I'm hoping Mark puts something on the class of '76 Web page.

I wish I had more to relate, but I've come up short. Please help me out in the future by passing along information about classmates. Best wishes to you and your families.

106Yukon Lane, Chapel Hill, NC27514; (919) 493-7814;jayjosselyn@hotmail.com