1999

Dear '99s, I must begin this update on a sad note. On Thursday, May 12, we lost our classmate Phatiwe Cohen after an intense bout with ovarian cancer. More than 200 friends and family gathered into a tiny room at a funeral home in Boston to say good-bye. Those attending included Jennifer Lawinski, Vanessa Ferro '00, Michael Bruno, Jason Whaley, Daniel Jordan, Chad Sclove '97, Leonardo Stezano '96, Sandra Martinez, Melissa Maggio, Chris Davilla, Rebecca Prestel, Aisha Burrell, Domingo Martinez '00 and Alyssa Mocharnuk-Macchia. Phatiwe dedicated her life to helping others. Friends described countless occasions when Phatiwe was there for them, listening and guiding without judging. She also shared her heart with the HIV/AIDS community in Boston, coordinating programs for patients through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Describing Phatiwes funeral, Michael Bruno wrote: "It was extremely heart-wrenching to see how many people shed touched over her short life and how many people were moved by her passing. As Annette Gaynes notes, Phatiwe wanted others to celebrate her life rather than mourn her death. Those wanting to remember Phatiwe are urged to have a drink in her honor, and are invited to make donations to the Phatiwe Cohen Memorial Fund of South Africa Partners Inc.,c/o the Phatiwe Cohen Memorial Fund, 89 South St., Suite 401, Boston, MA 02111.

In brighter news Cynthia Anderson and Patrick Hansen '97 were married on May 28 in Grantsburg, Wisconsin, with a reception in Siren, Wisconsin. This part of the country is very special to Cynthia's family, as her great-grandparents settled there when they emigrated from Sweden.The Rev. Michael Fonner '74, who officiated the ceremony, made the wedding even more memorable. Having known Cynthia and Patrick since their relationship began 10 years ago during Cynthia's freshman year, Pastor Fonner began his homily by saying: "Patrick and Cynthia, its about time! Cynthia and Patricks marriage was off to a great start, as they spent their eight-week honeymoon exploring Brazil, Argentina and Chile. Congratulations to Cynthia and Patrick, and best of luck in your lives together!

I also have good news to share about graduate school accomplishments for Lee Istrail and Kallie Willets. Lee Istrail graduated with honors from the George Mason University School of Law on May 21. In the fall Lee will join the antitrust group of Collier Shannon Scott in Washington, D.C. Lee lives in Arlington, Virginia, with his wife, Rebekka Sand Brooks Istrail '01, who works as a production editor at Rowan & Littlefield Publishing Group in Lanham, Maryland. While at George Mason Lee had an opportunity to work with several Dartmouth alums. He took a contracts course with professor Todd Zywicki '88 and assisted him at the Federal Trade Commission during the summer of 2003. Lee also served as symposium editor of the George Mason Law Review and organized a conference on European Union antitrust law in October 2004 with the help of James Rill '54 and his firm Howrey Simon Arnold & White. Victoria Huber '89 was also very helpful to Lee, giving him job advice in her role as director of career development and alumni services.

On June 8 Kallie Willets successfully defended her thesis and was awarded a Ph.D. in chemistry from Stanford University. Kallie focused her research on "Nonlinear Optical Chromophores for Single-Molecule Spectroscopy. Her father, Rick Willets '69, writes that Kallie will do her post-doctoral research in the laboratory of Richard Van Duyne at Northwestern University, focusing on the use of metallic nanoparticles for biosensing applications.

Good work to both Lee and Kallie!

This issues Class Notes reminds us of how important it is to celebrate friendships, chase dreams and follow our hearts.'We never know the choices that lie before us, or how much time we have in life. That's all the news for now. I look forward to your further updates.

Flat 23, Fairlawns, 19-21 Putney Hill, London, SW15-6BD, United Kingdom; tony.perry.99@alum.dartmouth.org