As I write the news of the Class of 1997, I’m saddened to start  on a somber note. I’m sure that many of you have heard already, it is with a heavy heart that I share the news of Todd McGovern’s passing. Todd fought a long and courageous battle against colorectal cancer, and in the meantime he and his wife, Amanda, founded an amazing organization called Seas It. This organization has a mission to aid cancer patients in their fight by providing financial aid for recreational activities. Visit www.seasit.org to learn more about Todd’s legacy.  Several classmates who sent their news this quarter attached a note of condolence, best expressed by Amalie Gosine Howard, who wrote, “I was deeply saddened to hear about the loss of Todd McGovern, and although we did not keep in touch after Colby, I will always remember his smile, one that he was quick to share with everyone. My deepest condolences to his family. From what I’ve read, he was a fighter to the end and an inspiration to all battling any form of cancer.” Amalie has three children, Connor, 8, Noah, 6, and Olivia, 3, and she lives in New York, with a plan to move to Australia soon! * Zahid Chaudhary teaches in the English department at Princeton and received tenure last year. Congratulations to Zahid! * Julie Lovell Dunlap started her master’s degree at University of Maryland School of Nursing to become a family nurse practitioner and hopes to graduate in the spring of 2015. Julie writes, “Home life, kids, school, and work are an interesting combination for time management for sure! Heading to Glacier National Park and the Canadian Rockies this June with my family as well to celebrate life and grandpa turning 70! Anyone have any must-do hikes? We are super excited!” * Jenny Higgins, a professor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, was at Colby in February presenting the annual Kingsley Birge Lecture titled “What’s Love Got To Do With It? Reflections on Pleasure, Gender, and Sexual Health.” Jenny is a fourth-generation Colby alum. * I also heard from Denise Mailloux Bowden, who lives in San Francisco with her husband, Jon ’95, and their son, Wyeth, 3 1/2. They’re expecting their second son in late June and are beginning to think about a move to suburbia. Writes Denise, “We’re all excited about the new addition, but I can’t help but see the irony; I was a women’s studies major (and psychology). I guess my lot is to raise evolved, thoughtful boys. … I can live with that for sure, but the next animal we take in MUST be a female. : )” * Speaking of California, my family and I just got back from a trip to Southern California, where we were able to visit my dear friend Mary Hofmann Henriques, her husband, Weyron, and their two boys, Aidan, 7, and Timothy, 3. Mary lives in Pasadena, and she works part time as a grant writer for a local nonprofit that serves the community. While we soaked in the sun on her back patio, our children, Owen, 4, and Evelyn, 2, played happily with her children, as if they were old friends as well! Leaving the cold and snow behind for a week, it felt like we had found a bit of paradise in Mary’s backyard. It was so, so wonderful to see you, Mary! * That’s it for now. Please, please send more news!