Grads

I am sorry to tell you that Colby Bent (MALS '82) died on May 9 at his home in West Lebanon, New Hampshire. Acelebration of his life was held on May 13 at the White Church at Dartmouth. It was a glorious spring afternnon, and sunshine poured into the church during the moving service. Colby was 85 years old and served for many years on the MALS Alumni Association board. He left this position four years ago as his health began to fail. Colby was an accomplished athlete. He ran and coached the Ford Sayre Ski Program in Hanover and was an assistant coach for the Dartmouth ski team. He started a lacrosse team for kids in Hanover and even built his own ski tow and tennis court. He also owned and flew his own plane. We took advantage of this athletic prowess every spring when we called upon Colby to pick up and deliver our cases of champagne for our MALS commencement reception. We, on the board, knew Colby as a kind of elder statesman, always wise, always kind. He was that rare individual to whom we would all listen when he had something to add to a conversation. It was a privilege to know him.

This year the MALS commencement reception was held at noon on June 10 in the faculty lounge. Nancy Silliman '95 (MALS '96) coordinated the event. Joan Kersey (MALS '96) provided the spring flower arrangements and, with the help of Mike Beahan (MALS '97), kept the champagne and punch flowing for the celebration. Judy Chypre (MALS '99) arrived at the crack of dawn to be certain that everything was properly delivered and arranged. A special thanks goes to Margret Richard (MALS '85), who pitched in to help Judy as the crowds of graduates, with their families and friends, poured in. MALS faculty and alumni also attended the party and we all enjoyed hearing the future plans of our new alumni. Altug Akay (MALS '07), whose concentration was globalization studies, intends to continue his graduate studies. Dana Altshuler (MALS '07) will return to Stamford, Connecticut, to teach on the community college level. Carrie Caouette-De Lallo (MALS' 07) wants to continue her writing and painting and hopes to find employment that allows the luxury of time for both. Jessica Carvalho (MALS '07) plans a career in the field of publishing and would like to lobby for nonprofit environmental organizations. She served as the editor-in-chief of The MALS Quarterly. Elizabeth LeBrun (MALS' 07) will teach high school social studies. Alexis Mourenza (MALS '07) will be married in the fall and will begin a Ph.D. program next year. Therese Olson (MALS '07) will work as a professional performing artist in Britain. Bill Romero (MALS '07) will continue in his position of associate director of individual and class giving in the Dartmouth College Fund. Sandra van Ginhoven (MALS '07) plans to study for a Ph.D. in art history. Daniel Villiers (MALS '07) is beginning a doctoral program at Northeastern University in clinical psychology.

On May 11 Benno: The Fiction Memoir of aPainter, a film by Phyllis Nemhauser (MALS '03), was screened at the "Art + Anarchy Montreal 2007" exhibit of politically engaged art. This event was Canada's largest political art show and featured the work of more than 230 artists from around the world. Phyllis was a creative writing major who was initially attracted to film for its economy of words and thoughts. Phyllis had known Benjamin Benno when she was growing up in New York City. She describes him as "a Russian, anarchist, atheist, abstract painter." Since Benno is no longer living, her film is presented in fragments of thoughts and feelings drawn from her imagination.

175 Greensboro Road, Hanover, NH03755; (603) 643-3780); m.jane.welsh.adv98@alum.dartmouth.org