1966

REUNION | JUNE 9-14

The colorful flag above this column says it all: “Reunion—June 9-14.”

Our adult life journey that began about 54 years ago this month, when we chose to attend Dartmouth and Dartmouth chose us, has led us, together as a class, inevitably and happily to this long-anticipated major milestone—our 50th reunion. While our individual paths diverged, we have carried the memories and lessons of the hill winds, caring professors, games played, challenges faced and warm camaraderie of frat and dorm with us. Dartmouth has shaped our thinking, influenced the trajectory of our careers and been part of who we are for more than half a century. Dartmouth’s spell on us remains after half a century—amazing.

More than 200 ’66s will be back in Hanover on the second weekend in June to mark the moment. Here are a few of the interesting classmates you will have a chance to catch up with at reunion.

Tom Brady, founder of Plastic Technologies Inc., a global company recognized for its expertise in plastics technology development and specialty product manufacturing, has done more for Toledo and northwest Ohio than Eleazar Wheelock did for Hanover. Ask Tom, who has been a passionate supporter of education at all levels, about the new science, technology, engineering and art laboratory he helped fund at the Toledo School for the Arts Center for Arts and Technology, a charter school for grades six to 12 at which he is a founding board member.

Ambassador Jim Cason, the third-term mayor of Coral Gables, Florida, is taking a leading role in preparing his shoreline city for the projected 51-inch sea level rise during the next 50 years. Ask Jim about the conference he attended recently with 40 other coastal city mayors and the Lidar mapping and other preparations he’s making to protect vulnerable infrastructure in the years ahead.

Peter Cleaves, former head of the Emirates Foundation in Abu Dhabi, is now an international consultant, tackling challenging projects around the world. Ask Peter about his most recent assignment with the International Labor Organization to combat child labor in Jordan, where, Peter reports, many Syrian refugee children between 12 and 15 years of age don’t attend school, are illiterate, work 12 hours a day for $4 and might be the only breadwinner for a family of eight.

Bill Cooper, armed with both a law degree and a master’s in library science from the University of Michigan, spent his career helping practicing lawyers coordinate the informational support required by their particular areas of expertise and among their professional colleagues. Ask Bill, now “actually retired,” about the flea market he and Bonnie run to raise funds for the library and social activities at his retirement community in Williamsburg, Virginia, which “has added a certain bounce to our step.”

Bill Duval, retired after a celebrated career as a high school teacher and coach, reminds us that there are some benefits with being our age. Ask Bill about the special senior ski rate at Smuggler’s Notch, Vermont—$20 for the entire season.

And these are only a few of the guys “A” thru “D.” Imagine what you can learn from the rest of the alphabet. Start packing now for a weekend you will never forget. As the flag says: “Reunion—June 9-14.” See you there.

93 Greenridge Ave., White Plains, NY 10605; (914) 860-4945; lgeiger@aol.com