In Pursuit of Excellence 

Dartmouth College Recognizes with Deep Appreciation the Extraordinary Achievements of 

Kaja K. Fickes 95
2018 Secretary of the Year – 25 Years Out and Younger

Kaja, your columns are outstanding. Your love for Dartmouth and your classmates shines through in each issue. Your class notes have displayed a perfect balance of light-hearted anecdotes, thought-provoking discussion of current events in a non-politicized manner, and the importance of community support in the face of life’s unexpected twists and turns. In the past year you wrote about such diverse topics as the first ’95 baby to attend Dartmouth; classmates’ favorite memories of EBAs following its closing; classmate experiences viewing last year’s eclipse; advice classmates would give to their younger selves; and reasoned and balanced perspectives from three physicians on the greatest issues facing American healthcare. Your May/June 2018 column was especially moving, featuring a classmate who detailed her own personal struggles to illustrate the power of communal support through the ’95 Empathos network.

A recipient of the Young Alumni Distinguished Service Award in 2005, you have certainly lived up to that promise. Following a decade as president of the Class of 1995, you took on the role of secretary in 2010, later becoming vice president and then president of the Class Secretaries Association (CSA). You contributed your valuable experience leading class projects and serving on the Alumni Council to the CSA. Your implementation of bimonthly deadline reminder emails greatly increased secretary participation and engagement.

Kaja, today we celebrate your outstanding work as class secretary, with sincere appreciation for all that you do for the Class of 1995 and the Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. Congratulations and thank you for your incredible service.