Working With Obama

Before they were chosen to serve in the new administration these alums gained valuable experience as undergraduates.

Secretary of the Treasury

He was too busy studying to be a joiner: no teams, no frat. Although he later earned a master’s in economics, at Dartmouth his focus was government and Asian studies—and carole sonnenfeld ’83, whom he married in 1985.

Assistant to the Director of Political Affairs

Obama knows a community organizer when he sees one. This busy sociology major/ government minor, who worked tirelessly on the Obama campaign, founded the Dartmouth Black Business Association and was active with too many organizations to list here. She was also a Rockefeller leadership fellow.

Deputy Secretary of Defense

The heir apparent to Robert Gates was a history major with a commitment to fellow students. What better procurement experience than serving as treasurer of Zeta psi? he was also a freshman trip leader and served on the Interdormitory Council.

Envoy to North Korea

Uniquely qualified as an international relations major and former football player (think Ir as contact sport), the dean of tufts’ Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy got ready for negotiating across borders as a member of the International Relations Club and Interfraternity Council. He also joined Sigma Chi, Tabard and Sphinx.

U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change

The Phi Beta Kappa English/philosophy major might have longed for warmer spring weather as a member of the freshman tennis team, playing outdoors in chilly Hanover. Perhaps, instead, he was merely distracted by emissions from the power plant. Indoors, he volunteered in the Upper Valley tutoring program.

Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff for the First Lady

Should there be piling on when it comes to Michelle obama’s schedule, this former rugby co-captain can dive right in—or run interference. A member of Theta Delta Chi, he majored in government before toiling for the Obama campaign in Iowa, Ohio, Texas, Arizona and Pennsylvania.

Deputy Solicitor General

Like Geithner, the July 2006 DAM cover subject and Georgetown professor majored in government and Asian studies. He did find time to join Sigma Nu—all while honing his oratory skills as a four-year member of the Dartmouth Forensic Union.

Deputy Associate Director, White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs

Who better to oversee Indian and tribal affairs than a government/ Native American studies major? She also played college basketball and was active in Native Americans at Dartmouth, Casque & Gauntlet and Palaeopitus.

TIMOTHY GEITHNER ’83

AMANDA K. BROWN ’07

WILLIA LYNN ’76

STEPHEN W. BOSWORTH ’61

TODD STERN ’73

JOE BOSWELL ’06

NEAL KATYAL '91

JODI ARCHAMBAULT GILLETTE ’91