Alumni Council

Alumni Council

CLASS NOTES

The Dartmouth Alumni Council, comprising more than 120 dedicated volunteers representing all constituencies within the alumni community, remains steadfast in its mission: to sustain a fully informed and engaged exchange of information and sentiment between alumni and the College and to enhance and inspire alumni involvement with Dartmouth.

A highlight of each year is our in-person fall meeting in Hanover, set against the backdrop of beautiful autumn days. This year’s agenda was packed with meaningful discussions and updates. The first day featured insights into the Arts & Sciences Future project, new approaches to endowment distribution communications, and an overview of Dartmouth athletics, including a Q&A with athletics and recreation director Mike Harrity. The day concluded with a working dinner for the council’s various subcommittees that drive much of our work throughout the year. These groups focus on key initiatives that enhance the alumni experience: strengthening young alumni engagement, supporting admissions efforts, and expanding lifelong learning opportunities, to name a few.

Our second day began with an admissions update from Lee Coffin and Kathryn Bezella. President Sian Beilock shared brief remarks on her strategic priorities but primarily engaged in a thoughtful Q&A session with councilors. Over lunch we enjoyed a fascinating presentation by professor Jerry DeSilva, this year’s recipient of the Professor John Rassias Award for Faculty Commitment to Lifelong Learning. The afternoon featured roundtable discussions on key alumni topics, followed by an update on Dartmouth’s Commitment to Care, a vital initiative supporting student well-being led by Dr. Estevan Garcia. The day concluded with a celebratory dinner honoring the recipients of the Alumni Award and the Young Alumni Distinguished Service Award.

On our final day in Hanover Dartmouth Trustees Sue Finegan ’85 and Ellie Loughlin ’89 joined us for an insightful Q&A session. We also heard from the senior VP of capital planning and campus operations, Josh Keniston, who provided a comprehensive update on housing and campus sustainability initiatives. Subcommittee chairs then shared brief reports on their priorities for the year ahead, and we wrapped up with an open forum for councilors to ask lingering questions and share ideas.

The in-person gathering is always a highlight, as the camaraderie and connections forged among councilors significantly enhance the work we do on behalf of our alumni community. To sustain this momentum beyond Hanover, we’ve continued our monthly Alumni Council meet-ups—an initiative launched last year with great success. These optional virtual sessions provide councilors with timely updates, opportunities to engage with council and alumni relations leadership, and a chance to reconnect between full meetings.

Looking ahead, the Alumni Council will convene virtually in early May. We’re eager to hear from our Hill Winds students, engage in another open forum with trustees, receive an update on the arts and sciences project, discuss professional development initiatives, and outline the process for nominating two alumni to the board of trustees.

Of all the volunteer roles I’ve held as a Dartmouth alumna, serving on the Alumni Council has been the most fulfilling. I am continually inspired by the deep devotion our alumni have for Dartmouth, and it has been my privilege to represent your voices and ideas.

At our spring meeting I will pass the gavel to our next Alumni Council president, Bruce Danziger ’83, who will officially begin his term in July. In the meantime, I encourage you to continue reaching out with your questions, thoughts, and feedback for the council.

—Cheryl Loeffler Shepard ’90, president, 6068 Blunt Alumni Center, Hanover, NH03755; alumni. council.president@dartmouth.edu