An Inspired Start

A cold drizzle did nothing to dampen student enthusiasm at Convocation September 20. Decked out in everything from suits and ties or chiffon dresses and stiletto heels to shorts or athletic wear with sneakers or muck boots, the class of 2015 gathered in Leede Arena to hear from speakers max yoeli ’12, president of the Student Assembly; kul Chandra Gautam ’72, former deputy executive director of UNICEF and assistant secretary-general of the United Nations; and President Jim Kim. All three conveyed the message that the incoming freshmen have joined not only an intellectual community but also a family with a 242-year history. Gautam secured rapt attention by recalling his village in nepal: “it had no roads, no electricity, no school, no health center, no post office.” Hearing Dartmouth described as “a small college in a small town in a remote area” amused him, he said. “my town was a five-day walk from the nearest bus stop, but it was not classified as remote. Remote was seven days from a bus stop.” yoeli provided some bret Easton Ellis-inspired advice: “Don’t be afraid to merge.” kim, the final speaker, promised incoming freshmen and grad students that Dartmouth will provide them “with tools to become transformative thinkers.”

Kul Chandra Gautam ’72

DID YOU KNOW?

Rank of the College in undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report.

$92.5 million Estimated cost of the 1978 Life Sciences Center. The overall project came in roughly $9.5 million under budget.