1973

Spring! Harbinger of things new. Here are some old tidbits, courtesy of former class secretary Bob Conway, who keeps busy running the Albany, New York-area alumni club. (We had a brief visit at the Albany airport.) The annual mini-reunion last October 30 during Homecoming was under a tent on the front lawn of Heorot (called Chi Heorot since 1987, when the fraternity decided to link to its heritage as Chi Phi). The mini's main menu has remained unchanged for years: chili and beer, with additional items such as breakfast rolls, juice and coffee, depending on whether it is the first or second meal of the day. Brenda and Bob Haynes, who live in Vermont were the hosts. Class president Bob Barr, commuting to Dartmouth for his first mini since moving to a new home a few miles outside of Hanover, dropped by. Class treasurer John Neff and spouse Gretchen were visiting their Dartmouth son. Class second vice president Steve Kessner brought friends and children along on his annual fall trek to the College. Doug Bate, Mike Keeshan and wife Lynn were spotted in the stands at the Harvard game in which Dartmouth played well but not well enough. The mini-reunion is a fun event and, since 1973 shares the tent with other classes from the early 19705, it provides a chance to see friends at the same time. Possibly more of us can make it this fall, at the same time, in the same place, with the same menu.

Caren Diefenderfer, associate professor of mathematics at Hollins College in Virginia, is on a years sabbatical. Her scholarly interests have included work in approximation theory, graph theory and computer graphics, and applications of linear algebra and abstract algebra. Her current work involves the connections between music and mathematics and investigates the Pythagorean scale and its relationship to the equal temperament scale. Caren is actively involved in the development of a program at Hollins emphasizing quantitative reasoning across the curriculum. She has served two terms on the quantitative literacy subcommittee of the Mathematical Association of America, and is chair of the newly formed special interest group on quantitative literacy. Caren also works with the College Boards advanced placement calculus program as a content advisor and is one of a group of scholars responsible for setting standards for the national examination. She has served in a variety of capacities and in 2004 was the chiefreaderforthe advanced placement calculus exam. Actor Jim Metzler appeared in the guest star role of Dr. Huff, a veterinarian, on the "Officer Blue" episode of CSI:NY that aired on December 1, 2004. Hope everyone caught the short personal reminiscence by Wayne Davis about his student experiences with former President John Sloan Dickey in the November-December issue. I am saddened to advise of the 2004 deaths of Terry Newburger, Jackie Clark and Mike Houlihan. Obituaries will appear in this and subsequent issues.

Sylvan Ave., San Mateo, CA 94403;val.armento@alum.dartmouth.org