Class Notes

November 1998

by Dennis Lynch

Classmates in the news: Last June David Chu was named a vice president of Rand, a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decision-making through research and analysis. He was also named director of the Arroyo Center, Rand's U.S. Army-sponsored research division. Dave is considered one of the nation's leading experts on national security affairs, having served as assistant secretary of Defense for program analysis and evaluation in the Bush administration and also as director of the Pentagon's program analysis and evaluation during the Reagan years. Other accomplishments include the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service with Silver Palm and the National Public Service Award of the National Academy of Public Service.

As most of you know, our class has produced two U.S. Senators, John Ashcroft (R) and Joe Lieberman (D). Recently both have been in the news. John is being actively considered by Republican poobahs as a potential presidential candidate. He has gained great respect within his party and the Senate for his solid legislative achievements and strong personality. On the other side of the aisle, Joe's September speech in the Senate calling President Clinton to task for his personal behavior marked a significant turning point in Democrats' willingness to speak out against their party's standard-bearer. Until Joe had the courage to make his public statement, few Democrats were eager to say anything.

From Beantown, Jeremy Wood reports, “After three years in public-sector transportation work, I got the yen to get back into private sector and developer work.” Last December he joined Elkus/Manfredi Architects Ltd., “a most successful firm in the area — doing commercial, retail, mixed-use, offices, hotels, along with courthouses and university work.” In a few words — just about everything! In addition, Jeremy recently went back to Andover with Tony Lee and Nick Danforth, to attend a memorial for one of their teachers. Nick has moved back to Weston and the triad sees each other quite often. He concludes, “Hope to see many others at reunion.”

Speaking of our reunion, it is just about six months away. Reunion volunteer Don Crabtree sent me a list of some additional, confirmed attendees. It includes the following: Jerry Barr, Jim Baxter, Peter Conrad, Bob Cushman, Dave DeVoe, and Angus Gillispie.