OUR US FOREIGN SERVICE CLASSMATE COMPLETES HIS CAREER WITH A NEW FORM OF MUSICAL FOREIGN AID

As referenced in the Dartmouth Alumni Office's "More Green News" website, (see also the first link below), our classmate Jim Cason, who completed his tour of duty as US Ambassador to Paraguay in August, 2008, and who will be retiring from the Foreign Service on October 1, spent a good deal of his free time learning Gurani (Paraguay's indigenous Native South American language) and then recording a CD album of Guarani folksongs.

"What I've been trying to do is show respect for Paraguay and for its culture," Jim said. Proceeds from the album sales are going to fund English-language grants for poor Paraguayan students. As of August first, 2,000 copies had already been sold in Paraguay. The title of the album is "Campo Jurado" ("Field of Promises"). Jim is selling copies for $15. To obtain one via "snail-mail," between now and September 22, 2008 send a check for $19 (the extra $4 covers the handling / shipping costs) made out to James C. Cason to:

900 N STUART ST, APT 420
ARLINGTON, VA 22203-4103.

(Provide the specific address to which it should be mailed!)

After October 1, Jim will be moving to Miami and will provide us with that address when he has it. If you are mailing your order after September 21, contact campojurado@yahoo.com for the latest address, or, check back here, where Jim's latest address will be posted.

The album (or selected individual tracks) is also available via Apple iTunes for those who have the Apple iTunes store software downloaded on their computer. The iTunes download procedure (for Jim's music - not for the entire iTunes Store software suite) is: simply click on Campo Jurado and either individual songs or the entire album can be downloaded.

Read more about it:
The following links provide further worldwide coverage of Jim's project:
US ambassador on song in Paraguay; (BBC)
U.S. Ambassador's Parting Gift To Paraguay; (NPR)

Photo: Andres Cristaldo / EPA file

– Submitted by Steve Posniak

40-year Reunion, Memorial Day Weekend, May 26-29, 2006

To DOWNLOAD a full-resolution 4.2 Mb jpeg of the official class photo,
click on the thumbnail image below, then on "ReunionPhoto.jpg":

• List of classmates who attended
• The Schedule of Events
• List of Activities
• Survey results are in: Top 25 Hits of 1966
• The program for the Memorial Service
• Gallery of photos: now available Be sure to send photos you have taken to Bob Serenbetz.

Class of 1966 Fall Mini-Reunion, October 21-22, 2005

Class of 1966 Fall Mini-Reunion, October 29-30, 2004

Class of 1966 2nd Colorado Ski Weekend Mini Reunion
Winter Park, Colorado March 19-29, 2005

60th Birthday Celebration, San Francisco/Napa
April 30 - May 2, 2004

60th Birthday Celebration
San Francisco/Napa April 30 - May 2, 2004