Alumni Council

The mission of the Dartmouth Alumni Council is “to sustain a fully informed, representative exchange of information and sentiment between alumni and their College, and to enhance and inspire alumni involvement that furthers the mission of the College.”

The recent hard work of many alumni councilors in restructuring the council and its mission is being realized as evidenced by the 2008-09 Alumni Council sessions. The twoway communication between the councilors and you, the alumni, has risen dramatically, and council meetings are substantive, informative, and action packed. I welcome you to visit the Alumni Council Web site, which includes council resources for alumni, council meeting minutes, articles, documents, reports, a councilor directory and more at www.alumni.dartmouth.edu/council. And yes, you are part of the council structure and your communications are important to its mission and to the College.

www.alumni.dartmouth.edu/council

By now most of you will have read about the historic 198th May session as reported by your representative alumni councilor. The council paid tribute to President Jim Wright and Susan DeBevoise Wright at what was Jim’s final address to the Alumni Council. The presidential transition was palpable and inspirational when president-elect Jim Yong Kim addressed the council earlier that day (you can find an audio clip of Jim Kim’s remarks on the council Web site). A standing ovation followed a panel with student veterans Samuel Crist ’10, Greg Agron ’11 and Tom Richardson ’11, with Ralph Manuel ’58 moderating. They discussed how they met Jim Wright, their deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan and their unique Dartmouth experience. Then Maria Laskaris ’84, dean of admissions and financial aid, Carol Folt, dean of faculty, and graduate school deans Paul Danos (Tuck), William Green (DMS), Joseph Helble (Thayer) and Brian Pogue (graduate studies) reported on the student body and curricula. Council committee and ad hoc committee reports were delivered, student-councilor discussions and dinners were held and council election results were reported.

A huge thank you to alumni who took the time to vote in this year’s Association of Alumni annual election. Eighty-two percent of voters supported the proposed amendment to the constitution that allowed for head-to-head alumni-nominated trustee elections, majority wins and simpler voting procedures, thereby ensuring that the association will continue to run these contests. The Dartmouth board of trustees subsequently announced that two vacancies will exist for alumni-nominated seats on the board next year. Alumni voting will take place in the spring of 2010. Suggestions for alumni trustee candidates may be submitted to the Alumni Council Nominating and Trustee Search Committee until November 3 either by mail at Dartmouth Office of Alumni Relations, 6068 Blunt Alumni Center, Hanover, NH 03755, or online at www.alumni.dartmouth.edu/council/trusteerecommendations. The Dartmouth alumni body is filled with many excellent potential candidates and we look forward to hearing from you.

www.alumni.dartmouth.edu/council/trusteerecommendations

And many thanks to those of you who have communicated with your council representative about any topic concerning Dartmouth; your e-mails are read and voices heard, and the board and administration are listening. The council has and will continue to meet with the trustees, including chair Ed Haldeman ’70, regarding your sentiments.

Stay tuned for upcoming council topics on subjects ranging from student life, councilor representation, communications, community and College service, career networking and, of course, assisting the College under our dynamic new president Jim Yong Kim.

Lastly, I have one burning question: What can the Alumni Council do better to involve more alumni in communicating with their councilors on issues involving the College? Please e-mail me at council.president@alum. dartmouth.org and share your thoughts.

I am honored to serve the Alumni Council this coming year and am waiting for your reply.

Alumni Council President, Avner & Avner Lawyers, 11835 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 1100, Los Angeles, CA 90064; council.president@alum.