Alumni Council

Alumni Council

Happy 250th, Dartmouth alumni family! During my undergraduate days, the idea of celebrating Dartmouth’s 250th anniversary never crossed my mind, yet here we are. From a small group of students in 1769 to more than 82,000 of us scattered around the girdled earth today, our small College on the Hill has truly made its mark. During these 250 years we have accomplished great things and also experienced our share of hits and misses. All along the way, our amazing body of alumni, and especiallythe 125 councilors who representyou, forge ahead, remain engaged, and tell our stories to the world.

In my cultural heritage, we embrace a concept called “sankofa,” in which we look to and acknowledge our past in order to walk triumphantly into our future. Our 250th is indeed Dartmouth’s sankofa moment: a time when we can embrace moments of celebration alongside moments of reflection.

Our moments of celebration have included the 200th anniversary re-argument ofthe Dartmouth College case at both the U.S. Supreme Court and on campus in March. We continue to gather throughout the country for celebrations of our robust campaign, the Call to Lead. Everyone is included in this campaign, and gifts of all sizes contribute to Dartmouth’s success. Your council has put forth an inclusive slate for the board of trustees, including the first Native American alumna to be nominated to the board. And the council is especially excited about the Call to Serve initiative, Dartmouth’s unique and compelling invitation to all members of its community to make an impact in the world by contributing 250,000 hours of service in honor of our 250th anniversary. Once again, Dartmouth leads. Or, if you are enthusiastic about social media, #DartmouthLeads.

During our moments of reflection, we have had to take a hard look, ask some hard questions, and do the hard work of addressing instances of sexual misconduct and racial harassment on campus. While we may not all agree on the best way forward, we do agree that establishing and maintaining a welcoming community—in which everyone feels safe, supported, and can learn and grow without fear—is ourtop priority. The Campus Climate and Culture Initiative is an important step in this direction.

Traveling extensively and engaging with so many of you, I have learned that we are truly a family. As with every family we have our joys and sorrows, points of agreement and difference, cohesion and discord. My challenge to each of you is that we remain afamily—stickingtogether through thick and thin. When things go well, let’s celebrate in a big way. Where we miss the mark, don’t move further away, come closer. Take part in creating the kind of Dartmouth we envision— a place that is inclusive, safe, and relevant. Talk to your Alumni Council representative. We are here to receive and communicate your feedback. Engage with us, be part of the change and influence that helps us move forward. If you have consistently been involved with Dartmouth, thank you—your efforts are appreciated. If you haven’t, there is no better time than our 250th year to come off the sidelines and join the team.

I cannot think of a more exciting time to be a part of this amazing community. As your Alumni Council president, it has been my mission and joy to make sure that each of you knows there is a place at the table for you because you are a valued member of the Dartmouth family. It has been an honor to serve you, and I look forward to the triumphant future that lies ahead.

—Adrienne “Tee” Lotson ’82, president, 6068 Blunt Alumni Center, Hanover, NH03755; alumnicouncil.president@dartmouth.edu