Congratulations to the five alumni who have been chosen by the Alumni Council to receive 2015–16 alumni awards!
Three will receive the Dartmouth Alumni Award, which was established in 1954 to recognize long-standing and meritorious service to the College, career achievement, and other community service. Alumni are eligible for this award after their 25th class reunion.
Two will receive the Dartmouth Young Alumni Distinguished Service Award. This award was established in 1990, and recognizes breadth, depth, and length of volunteer involvement. Alumni are eligible the first 15 years after graduation.
The five honorees will receive their awards at the annual Alumni Awards Gala, which will be celebrated during the 211th meeting of the Dartmouth Alumni Council on October 23, 2015 in Hanover.
Dartmouth Alumni Award Recipients
Patricia E. Berry ’81
Life and career: Pat majored in English and began her writing career working for The Dartmouth and Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. She was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority (now Sigma Delta), Cobra senior society, and the first women’s rugby team. She also participated in Outward Bound. After Dartmouth, Pat’s career led to the world of magazine publishing, starting at Children’s Television Workshop. She later spent eight years at Time Inc., where she was a founding editor of Sports Illustrated for Kids. While raising her family, she switched to freelance writing and editing, and in 2012 received an MFA in creative nonfiction writing from Columbia University. Pat currently runs a communications consultancy in Montclair, New Jersey, where she lives with her husband Mitch Heisler. They have three daughters: Meg ’14; Alex, a junior at Colby College; and Cate, a high-school junior.
For Dartmouth: Pat’s numerous volunteer roles have included class president, class newsletter editor, reunion committee chair, alumni interviewer, district enrollment director, Alumni Council member, and Dartmouth Alumni Magazine editorial board member. She currently is moderator of both the “Dartmouth Class of 1981” and “Women of Dartmouth” Facebook groups, the latter with some 3,100 members. Pat also is involved in helping to organize the Women of Dartmouth community. She received the Young Alumni Distinguished Service Award in 1992.
Highlights of volunteer service: “I love the Class of ’81. I love that we are a little bit hard to classify in terms of our role with the College. Every class is unique, of course. But some are well known for their over-the-top fundraising drives, others for their massive turnouts at alumni events. There are some incredible talents in our class—bestselling authors, hot shot academics, superstars in medicine and sports and finance and law—but when we come together all of that seems to fall away. The joy of being together, especially when we’re together in Hanover, is palpable. I love helping to maintain those connections.”
Other: “I remember the moment I learned Dartmouth’s trustees had voted in favor of coeducation: I was on the bus going to school and the news came over the radio. I was in seventh grade, and I decided right then I would work as hard as I could and apply. It was really fun sharing Dartmouth with my dad [Robert V. Berry ’54]. In a way, I wanted to be like him—I jumped off the Ledyard Bridge one summer because he had always bragged about doing that. But, of course, my college experience was very different from his, and he would brag about that, too. As for my daughter, some of our interests and activities overlap—but she, too, had a very different Dartmouth experience. I love that we can take very different paths, be part of different generations, and still share a strong common bond.”
“We’re introducing students to excellent programs and tools and educators, and they can make of them what they will. If you come to Dartmouth and bring your talents to the table and accept those talents others bring, you can do amazing things. There’s a wonderfully decent and collaborative spirit here that I don’t think you find everywhere.”
You know you bleed Green when: “My pride for our alma mater comes out in a big way at college fairs. I get fired up talking to teenagers and their folks about this place. Sometimes the huddle at my table is five deep, and I start to think maybe I’m getting the message across: ‘Here’s why you should want to go to Dartmouth!’”
Elizabeth Mahoney Loughlin ’89
Life and career: Ellie earned an AB in psychology and was a member of Delta Delta Delta, where she held leadership positions including social chair. Immediately after college she went to work for Bear Stearns, and later earned a master’s degree in elementary education from Lesley University. She earned a second master’s degree in education from Harvard University in 2006, focusing on counseling. She has worked in admissions at Buckingham Browne & Nichols since 2007. While raising her children she became very involved in volunteering for Dartmouth, Harvard Graduate School of Education, local school boards and the National Pancreas Foundation. Ellie lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with her husband Phil Loughlin ’89. They have two children, both current Dartmouth students: Christopher ’17 and Katie ’18.
For Dartmouth: Ellie has worked on behalf of Dartmouth in a variety of capacities, including serving on the Alumni Council, chairing her class’s Reunion Committee, serving as class president, class newsletter editor, Alumni Fund class agent, district enrollment director, and working to build the Women of Dartmouth community. She was awarded the Young Alumni Distinguished Service Award in 2003, and was inducted into the Stephen Mandel Society in 2010.
Highlights of volunteer service: “My class is where my biggest passion is, and also Women of Dartmouth, which has been more rewarding than I ever expected. I think my class is a remarkable class because we’re continuing to grow closer and to appreciate each other even more over time, and it’s been really rewarding for me to be a part of that experience. Women of Dartmouth is doing great things to bring women who haven’t felt as connected to the college and who have been away from Dartmouth for anywhere from a year to 35 years; we’re bringing them together and connecting them. I’ve loved how that has grown and how people are now reacting. The other area that I’ve especially loved is being a district enrollment director, and being able to continue to meet incoming Dartmouth students.”
“Dartmouth taught me to just say yes if you can. I got so much from Dartmouth; I’m married to a Dartmouth ’89, my best friends, my mentors, my dad, everyone who’s really impacted my life went to Dartmouth. Dartmouth taught me to give back.”
You know you bleed Green when: “Your children could sing the Dartmouth alma mater before they could sing the ABCs.”
Ellis B. Rowe ’74
Life and career: Ellis earned an AB in mathematics, played football, and was a member of The Tabard and of Casque and Gauntlet senior society. He was active in the Tucker Foundation and enjoyed the political engagement of campus in the 1970s. Immediately after Dartmouth, he moved to Los Angeles to work for Exxon/Mobil Oil, thanks to a connection with a Dartmouth alumnus who at that time was regional general manager of the company’s Western region. He then moved on to work for a cosmetics company, followed by Mars Incorporated, where he spent the bulk of his career. While working at Mars, he received his MBA from West Coast University. His career with Mars spanned a variety of segmentsand led to a number of moves around the country. Now retired, Ellis stays involved in business development and consulting. He enjoys traveling and playing golf, as well as spending time with his family. He lives in Jacksonville, Florida with his wife Antoinette and has three sons: Marcus ’02, Ryan, and Nicholas, as well as five grandchildren.
For Dartmouth: Ellis has been president of the Black Alumni of Dartmouth Association (BADA) since 2010. He has also served on the Tucker Foundation’s Board of Visitors and several committees, including the Alumni Council Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity and Inclusion. Ellis visits campus frequently to aid in student career development and mentoring. When Dartmouth alumni and staff visit Jacksonville, they often find Ellis serving as one of their “primary hosts” a role that he describes as “a joy.”
Highlights of volunteer service: “I’m outgoing president of BADA, a role I have held for five years, but I have been involved for quite a long time. The organization has grown, and I’ve tried to be a support to them in terms of strategic planning with my business background, to look at key objectives and rebuild a foundation. It’s been a strong organization over the years, but obviously organizations go through change and need to readjust to times and interests, which I saw as an opportunity. I collaborated with a number of Affiliated and Shared Interest groups, faculty, staff, students and alumni to see where opportunities lie and identify areas of focus to build upon.”
“I still get quite a few calls and emails from students who want to talk about career interests and get advice. I’ve been fortunate to still form those connections with students 40 years after being at Dartmouth in an academic capacity. This morning I probably sent out four congratulations on LinkedIn to students moving forward in their careers. I think I find that is probably the most rewarding of all.”
You know you bleed Green when: “When you leave home either during a major holiday or someone’s birthday because your Dartmouth service is more important. I’ve gotten in trouble for that a few times.”
Dartmouth Young Alumni Distinguished Service Award
S. Caroline Kerr ’05
Life and career: Caroline earned an AB in sociology modified with women and gender studies, with a minor in education and human development, and says “amazingly I use all of those things in my work today.” She was a member of Palaeopitus, the women’s crew team, and the Rainbow Alliance, and was a First-Year Trip Leader Trainer. As a student, she worked in the Admissions office and helped to run Dimensions weekend. After graduation, she stayed in the Admissions office as assistant director, and later associate director, spending a total of five years in the office with an interim year spent as a college counselor for high-school students. In 2012, Caroline earned a master’s in higher education from Harvard. She is now the CEO of the Joyce Ivy Foundation, which works to help high-achieving, low-income students from the Midwest apply to highly ranked colleges. She is currently preparing to move from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Coral Gables, Florida, with her wife Darcy A. Kerr M.D., Geisel ’10. They enjoy travel and spending time outdoors, and are expecting their first child in June.
For Dartmouth: Caroline has been on the board of the Dartmouth Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Alumni/ae Association (DGALA) since 2006 and just completed her second term as president. Under her leadership, DGALA successfully raised funds to support the opening of Triangle House and celebrated its 30th anniversary. Her involvement with the Alumni Council includes chairing the Young Alumni Committee, co-chairing the ad hoc Committee on Diversity and Inclusion, and sitting on the Nominating and Alumni Trustee Search Committee and the Executive Committee. She is part of the team currently working to launch the Women of Dartmouth network, and has been especially involved in the Boston chapter.
Highlights of volunteer service: “I think the Triangle House opening was huge. Especially in that moment when we were dedicating that house, to look out on the sea of faces of senior leadership, alumni, and staff, knowing how many people had worked for so long to get that house to be a reality, was incredibly moving. That project brought back some alumni who maybe hadn’t had great experiences at Dartmouth and hadn’t been back in years, but who were now looking at this really positive step. It was very powerful to be a part of that experience.”
“The ad hoc committee report on diversity and inclusion was another highlight. It was a massive undertaking that took a year of intensive work. When Provost Dever joined the College, she said she was really impressed that the committee had done that work. Being able to add value back to the College in that way feels incredible.”
You know you bleed Green when: “I look for Dartmouth people or connections whenever I go into a new situation. My wife actually teases me about this. When I’m traveling, when I have an appointment with a new doctor, I will put Dartmouth gear on and look for connections, and it’s led to meeting some great people and having great conversations. It’s definitely something I do intentionally. I go into new situations and I look for the Green.”
Michael J. Vidmar ’03
Life and career: Mike was a member of the varsity soccer team and of Alpha Delta, and earned an AB in economics with a minor in religion. He also worked all four years for Roberts Flowers in Hanover, a job he was offered when the owner discovered that he and Mike had grown up in the same town. After college, he started his career at Jones Lang LaSalle, which he left to build a real-estate development company with a fellow Dartmouth alumnus from the Class of ’83. He earned an MBA in 2014 from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and is now an associate director at Fitch Ratings. Outside of work, Mike enjoys racquet sports and plays the upright bass in a polka band. He lives in Chicago’s West Loop.
For Dartmouth: Mike is the current president of his class. He has chaired the Athletics Committee of the Alumni Council and sat on the Young Alumni Committee and the Executive Committee. He has served as secretary, vice president, and president of the Dartmouth Club of Chicago, and has conducted admissions interviews since he graduated.
Highlights of volunteer service: “About seven years ago, I had heard the Dartmouth Gospel Choir was looking for a winter trip location, and I contacted Walt Cunningham and sold him on coming to Chicago. I was able to organize two performances for the choir while they were in visiting. First, they performed a feature show at the 1,500 seat Preston Bradley Center in Uptown Chicago. Then, with the choir’s trip overlapping with the Dartmouth Club of Chicago’s Holiday Luncheon, the group performed in front of over 250 prospective students, parents and alumni. The choir blew the doors off the Union League Club, and drowned out carolers three floors below. People attending other functions at the building flooded in to listen and the Club drew a record attendance.
Around the same time, the Big Green Bus was on its annual U.S. tour and students were seeking places to stay during their trip through Chicago. The Club had many generous members offer their homes for one or two students, but we needed to keep them together. I offered my apartment, which I shared with my brother at the time, and we hosted 10 students, covering pretty much every surface in the apartment. I think they were just happy to have a shower.”
“As a former athlete it was especially rewarding to chair the Athletics Committee on the Alumni Council – it brought my experience as an undergrad athlete to another level, and really grew my appreciation for what the College and athletics department do to support its student-athletes.”
You know you bleed Green when: “I guess you know you bleed Green when anyone from the College calls and, without hesitation, you agree to whatever they are asking of you. Especially if it’s Sue Young [Suzanne Wiley Young ’77, Senior Associate Director, Regional Activities], I don’t think I’ve ever said ‘no’ to her.”