1989

Just a few weeks left to participate in our 25th reunion book if you haven't yet been inspired. Complete your entry by September 15 by going to our class website at 1989.dartmouth.org. This book is not only for reunion-goers, but for every member of the class of 1989. Submit a photo and write your reflections on anything you choose.

As summer prepares to make its exit, one of my favorite memories will be looking out on a sea of faces on Baker lawn during our reunion class dinner, inspired by the presence of more than 500 classmates and spouses. There were so many experiences that we shared together—the class photo, the rain, the mud, and eventually the sunshine, the hugs, the smiles, the walks down favorite paths in our memories, old friends and new ones. I found myself thinking over the sum- mer of all the conversations at reunion and wish- ing I could play them back. I wanted to overhear the thousands that I missed—the walks around Occom Pond, the hikes up Bartlett Tower and Baker Tower, the mini-reunions, spontaneous and planned and the chance, for some of us, to share Hanover with our children.

Now, many thanks. To Ellie Mahoney Lough- lin, our class president and my sounding board. To Laura Fitch Mattson for her spectacular work helping to raising more than $8 million for the College, smashing the old 25th reunion-giving record. To Antonia Rutigliano Nedder, our com- munications and registration chair and our next class president. To Jilann Spitzmiller for produc- ing those fun videos on our website promoting reunion attendance. To Eric Berlin for keeping the attendance committee on track. To Linda Salzhauer Swenberg for the great reunion swag that seems to turn up around the girdled earth. To Shannon Gorrell Reid for handling our food and drink, to Todd Timmerman for paying the bills, to Zach Levine and Ned Ward for iPod tunes in the tent, to Jennifer Large Bowman for our logo, to Jennifer Downs O'Shaughnessy for our table decorations and to her and Nicole Conte for organizing all the kids' fun during our Saturday family lunch. And a special thanks to the Rev. Paul Sawyer for setting such a welcoming tone at our very moving class memorial service.

To our panel moderators, Russell Wolff, Debbi Wilgoren and Clay Nichols, who embraced (or put up with) my expectations of what these panels could be. To the panelists—Sara B. May, Brooks Entwistle, Margo Miller, Geeta Anand, Phil Ginsburg, Vanessa Baird-Streeter, Ed Barker, Chuck Wooster, Ray Prado, Mateo Romero, Connie Britton and Jilann Spitzmiller—for sharing their insights and their angst. I've promised A. J. Lutz he can have his own panel next time.

Finally, it was at our 10th reunion that I saw a signup sheet in the tent and thought that I might toss my name in the ring for class secretary. I didn't think I would be asked to do it, much less that I would be here 15 years and almost 100 col- umns later. You've heard me talk about journeys and this has been a grand one, getting to chronicle the lives of my classmates. What an honor. There have been sad moments and very joyous ones. And as I head over to my new role on the Alumni Council, I am thrilled to be able to turn this col- umn over to Ned Ward, Mattel toy master by day, rock and roll band guitarist by night. I definitely promise you more fun ahead.

You can find him at ned@nedorama.com although hell probably find you first. I won't be going too far and I promise to see you around the bend.

5912 Aberdeen Road, Bethesda,MD 20817; javellino@mac.com