Rhodes-worthy

He's down-to-earth and laughs easily. His light blue eyes open wide and look right at you when he's talking to you. And although he was carrying a wellworn backpack full of books during a recent interview, you would never choose him as the student who spends Friday and Saturday nights doing homework.

But Dartmouth senior Mark Kasevich, from Weston, Mass., has just been awarded a Rhodes Scholarship. He is the 55th Dartmouth student to earn one and one of 32 American students who were selected for the scholarship from the 1,148 who applied this year. The last Dartmouth Rhodes Scholar was John Fanestil '83.

Kasevich, a physics major with a 3.7 grade average out of 4.0, will study physics and philosphy at Oxford University in England next year. The Rhodes Scholarships enable students from around the world to study at Oxford for two to three years. The scholarship pays the full cost of attending Oxford in addition to an annual stipend. Students are selected for academic excellence as well as their interest in public service and athletics.

Kasevich is co-captain of the Dartmouth swimming team. He is one of the College's top sprinters, and he ranks among the top ten Dartmouth swimmers of all time in the 50-yard, 100-yard, and 200-yard freestyles. He is a threetime competitor in the Eastern Seaboard Championship. "You could see that he had the potential as a freshman, and although some of the things we expected of him were overwhelming, he accepted the challenge and performed very well. . . . It's a privilege working so closely with someone like Kas," said Dartmouth Coach Ron Keenhold.

Kasevich said his devotion to swimming, which he has been involved with for the past ten years, has been an important influence in his life. "I think the dedication to one thing can only help give direction to your life," he said. Although he manages to find some free time, Kasevich admits that during swim season, "when I'm not swimming or sleeping or eating, I'm doing work. I sleep a lot, though."

Academically, he was called "one of the best physics students we've ever had" by P. Bruce Pipes, professor of physics at Dartmouth. Pipes said Kasevich has "an aggressive approach to learning." Kasevich hopes to get a Ph.D. in applied physics after studying at Oxford and then to do research and teach at the university level.

In addition to physics, Kasevich plans to study ethics at Oxford, to give him perspective on aspects of the physics research that he may do in the future. "Ethical issues in a nuclear age" are of particular concern to him. "I can only see those compounding in the future," he said. Studying ethics will prepare him, he hopes, to be "someone who has to be a social being in the world." He also plans to study the philosphy of science, to consider some of the ideas behind the equations that he has been studying for the past four years.

Kasevich said that although the progression of interviews for the Rhodes Scholarship was increasingly scary, the six-week period while his application was being considered had some pleasant moments. "It was an enjoyable experience, just meeting the people ... in retrospect. I was petrified at the time."

He applied for the Rhodes at the sug- gestion of his physics professor, Mike Hayes. There were three rounds of interviews, first at Dartmouth (where about 15 students applied), then at the state level, and finally at the New England regional level. Four students are selected from each of eight regions in the United States.

Kasevich is enthusiastic about Dartmouth. It was love at first sight when he came up to look at the College. "I thought it was a very beautiful campus," he recalled. He applied to Dartmouth Early Decision and he has loved his four years here, he said.

Mark Kasevich '85 has spent enough time over the past four years in the physics laboratoryas zvell as in the swimming pool, as captain of the swim team to earn himself a RhodesScholarship, which recognizes both academic and athletic excellence.