2010-2019

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2010

The chair of the Nominating and Alumni Trustee Search Committee, Tom Daniels ’82, announced that the committee selected Morton Kondracke '60, P'91, and John Replogle '88 as the nominees for each of the two alumni-nominated trustee seats open on the Dartmouth College Board of Trustees. The Alumni Council voted 89–1 (with no abstentions) to approve these candidates to run for the two board of trustees vacancies. Alumnus Joe Asch '79 filed by petition to run against John Replogle in the election. John Replogle and Mort Kondracke won the 2010 election. In addition to his address Friday evening at the December 2009 meeting, President Jim Yong Kim gave a special presentation to the Council at the Saturday morning plenary session where he outlined the College's strategic priorities in light of the budget cut announcements.

The ad hoc Committee to Support Greek Letter Organizations, whose purpose is to help sororities, fraternities, and co-ed organizations to endure and thrive, gave its final report at the May 2010 meeting. The major findings were: increased alumni and faculty involvement are crucial to the future of Greek Letter Organizations and Societies; after many years of use, numerous houses are in poor physical shape and in need of significant capital improvement; the College needs more sororities with their own houses; and that the culture can be changed to improve maintenance, cleanliness, and alcohol-related issues. Here is the final report. The Alumni Liaison Committee produced its annual report which includes a summation of alumni feedback to Alumni Councilors. The report is valued by the Board of Trustees, in particular the Alumni Relations Committee, with whom the Alumni Liaison Committee works.

The Young Alumni Committee focused on the topic of career services for young alumni and worked with key administrators to help in the creation of the Alumni Career Central landing page on the Alumni Relations website (which centralizes numerous links to career resources and tools offered by the College). Resolutions passed by the Council included 1) Thanking Janine Avner ’80 for her service as Alumni Council president and 2) Thanking David Spalding ’76 for his service as vice president of Alumni Relations. Finally, the Alumni Council celebrated its 200th meeting in May 2010, and President Kim gave a well-received presentation Friday evening on the history of the Alumni Council.

2011

The chair of the Nominating and Alumni Trustee Search Committee, Tom Daniels '82, announced that the committee selected Gail Koziara Boudreaux '82 and Bill Burgess '81 as the nominees for each of the two alumni-nominated trustee seats open on the Board of Trustees. The Alumni Council voted (89 in favor, 1 abstention) to approve the candidates to run for the two vacancies. Gail Koziara Boudreaux '82 and Bill Burgess '81 won the 2011 alumni election. Carrie Pelzel, senior vice president for advancement, provided goals for the Advancement division; and President Kim addressed the Council on the topic of Dartmouth's "model of innovation." Steven Kadish, executive vice president and chief financial officer, provided an update, outlining the College's successful efforts to close the budget gap.

The Alumni Council unanimously approved a constitutional amendment providing the Executive Committee with the ability to fill midterm vacancies on the Nominating Committee and addressing potential midterm vacations for the Alumni Council president. At the spring meeting, President Kim had a discussion with Councilors on innovation, student health, and student life. Councilors also broke out into focus groups to discuss the topic of "reimagining reunions," and provided feedback to Carrie Pelzel. Councilors heard from Trustee Jeff Immelt '78 at the Friday evening dinner, who spoke about leadership. Resolutions passed by the Council included 1) Thanking Tom Peisch '70 for his service as Alumni Council president, and 2) Thanking Tom Daniels '82 for his leadership as chair of the Nomination and Alumni Trustee Search Committee.

2012

The Nominating and Alumni Trustee Search Committee chair, Pete Frederick ’65, announced that the committee selected Nathaniel Fick ’99, Richard H. Kimball ’78 and Ben Wilson ’73 as the nominees for each of the three alumni-nominated trustee seats open on the Board of Trustees. The Alumni Council voted unanimously to approve the candidates to run for the two vacancies. The alumni-nominated candidates won the election, running unopposed. At the fall meeting, councilors were provided updates from Trustees Annette Gordon-Reed ’81 and Brad Evans ’64; Al Mulley ’70, director of the Dartmouth Center for Health Care Delivery Science; and Harry Sheehy ’55a, Athletic Director.

At the spring meeting, councilors had a chance to hear from President Kim for the last time as president of Dartmouth College as he has accepted the position of president of the World Bank. He explained that he accepted this unexpected offer to lead the World Bank because it provides him with the opportunity to do something he strongly believes in which is to solve the worlds troubles. Councilors also received updates from Mike Mastanduno, Dean of Faculty; trustees Steve Mandel ’78, Bill Helman ’80, and Mort Kondracke ’60; students involved with Dartmouth Humanitarian Engineering; Maria Laskaris ’84, dean of admissions and financial aid; and Vice President for Alumni Relations Martha Beattie ’76. Resolutions passed by the Council included 1) Thanking Danielle Dyer ’81 ’89Tu for her service as Alumni Council president, 2) Thanking Carrie Pelzel ’54a for her service as senior vice president of Advancement, 3) Thanking Jim Yong Kim ’82a for his service as president of Dartmouth College and 4) The formation of an ad-hoc committee focused on issues of diversity and inclusion, with a particular emphasis on the recruitment and retention of faculty and administrators of color.

2013

At the fall meeting, councilors attended presentations by David Spalding ’76, senior vice president and senior advisor to the president; Martha Beattie ’76, vice president for alumni relations; Charlotte Johnson, dean of the College; Steve Mandel ’78, chair of the Board of Trustees; Janine Avner ’80, co-chair of the Alumni Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity and Inclusion; and Danielle Dyer ’81 ’89Tu, chair of the Alumni Liaison Committee (ALC); and a student-athlete panel moderated by Athletic Director Harry Sheehy ’55a. While the session saw many worthwhile discussions, highlights included the presentation and nomination of Mitchell Kurz ’73 for the Board of Trustees; an open discussion of the College’s harm reduction initiatives in regard to drinking, hazing, and sexual assault led by Dean Johnson; a Board of Trustees update from Chairman Mandel; and several events marking “the year of the arts” at Dartmouth. Mitch Kurz ’73, the alumni-nominated candidate, won the election, running unopposed.

At the spring council session, councilors heard Interim President Carol Folt deliver a farewell address. They also received updates from Mike Mastanduno, dean of the faculty of arts and sciences; Dean Johnson, along with a panel of her staff; Pete Frederick ’65, chair of the Nominating and Alumni Trustee Search Committee; Trustee Annette Gordon-Reed ’81; John “J.B.” Daukas ’84, president of the Association of Alumni; Maria Laskaris ’84, dean of admissions and financial aid; Martha Beattie; and S. Caroline Kerr ’05, co-chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity and Inclusion. Highlights of this session included much discussion of the campus climate, student life, and recent events on campus; an update on admissions and the entering Class of 2017; a very thoughtful presentation of his photographs by photojournalist and Roth Distinguished Visiting Scholar James Nachtwey ’70; notable progress by many of the 15 council committees; and a “back to the classroom” experience for all councilors.

2014

2013-2014 marked the 100^th anniversary of the Dartmouth Alumni Council. The theme of the year was “Dartmouth Alumni Council, A Century of Service: 1913-2013.” At the fall meeting, Alumni Council president Mark Davis ’81 ‘84Tu opened the meeting with a presentation noting many of the highlights of the Alumni Council over its 100-year history. In addition, councilors attended a student panel presentation titled “A Sense of Place: Bringing the Upper Valley into the Classroom;” heard about alumni market research being conducted by director of market research Jean Romeo and vice president for Alumni Relations Martha Beattie ’76; received an update on student life from dean of the College Charlotte Johnson; and learned about the College’s budget and endowment performance from executive vice president and chief financial officer Richard Mills and chief investment officer Pamela Peedin ’89 ’98Tu. Councilors were excited to hear from our new president Philip J. Hanlon ’77 for the first time and had an opportunity to also meet with trustee Sherri Oberg ’82 ’86Tu and the chair of the Board of Trustees Steve Mandel ’78. Another first was the Alumni Awards gala dinner, which resulted in a change in the format of the presentation of the Dartmouth Alumni Award and the Young Alumni Distinguished Service Award. Instead of presenting these awards at separate venues, all of the recipients received their awards at the Alumni Council dinner on Friday evening where short films about each recipient were shown. Alumni Awards were presented to Donald Berlin ’54, trustee emeritus R. Bradford Evans ’64, Peter Frederick ’65, and Kenneth Johansen ’60 ‘62Th. Young Alumni Distinguished Service Awards were presented to E. Kristina Brock ’01 ‘02Th and Jethro Rothe-Kushel ’03. At the closing plenary session, councilors met senior vice president for Advancement Bob Lasher ’88; learned about the initiatives and reorganization of the Center for Professional Development under the leadership of director Roger Woolsey; and received the final report by the Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity and Inclusion (presented by co-chairs Janine Avner ’80 and S. Caroline Kerr ’05) that focused on the recruitment and retention of faculty, staff, and administrators of color.

At the spring meeting, alumni councilors attended undergraduate classes in a “Back to the Classroom Experience;” participated in discussion groups with students focused on experiential learning opportunities at Dartmouth; and attended presentations by President Philip Hanlon ’77; dean of the College Charlotte Johnson; dean of the faculty Mike Mastanduno; and dean of admissions and financial aid Maria Laskaris ’84. President Hanlon created the Presidential Steering Committee on Moving Dartmouth Forward, which was charged with making recommendations to the board of trustees to address the root causes of extreme behavior in three areas: sexual assault, high-risk drinking, and inclusivity on campus. Committee chair and professor Barbara Will presented to the councilors, and breakout sessions followed to collect feedback from alumni councilors for the steering committee. Councilors also attended a student panel presentation titled “Experiential Learning: On and Off the Green;” received an update from the Board of Trustees from trustee Bill Burgess ’81; and heard from vice president for Alumni Relations Martha Beattie ’76, senior vice president for public affairs Tommy Bruce, and deputy athletics director Bob Ceplikas ’78. Resolutions were passed thanking chair of the Nominating and Alumni Trustee Search Committee Jennifer Avellino ’89 and Alumni Council president Mark Davis ’81 ‘84Tu for their service on behalf of the Alumni Council. On Friday evening, trustee Nathaniel Fick ’99, author of the bestseller One Bullet Away: The Making of a Marine Officer, spoke about his military experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan.

2015

At the fall meeting, alumni councilors attended presentations by President Philip Hanlon ’77; provost Carolyn Dever; interim dean of the Tucker Foundation Theresa Ellis ’97; interim dean of the College Inge-Lise Ameer; and senior vice president for Advancement Bob Lasher ’88. They toured the DEN Innovation Center and New Venture Incubator, led by director Jamie Coughlin. In addition, they participated in a career networking session with first-year students; heard a faculty perspective on digital-learning initiatives from dean of graduate studies F. Jon Kull ’88, and director of digital learning initiatives, Joshua Kim; and received an update from chair of the Board of Trustees Bill Helman ’80. During the opening dinner, councilors heard about the progress being made by the Steering Committee on Moving Dartmouth Forward from the chair, Professor Barbara Will, and committee member and Association of Alumni President Sue Finegan ’85. Councilors celebrated the 60^th Anniversary of the Dartmouth Alumni Award at a dinner on Friday evening. At that time, Dartmouth Alumni Awards were presented to Douglas Donahue, Jr. ’73, Tracey Salmon-Smith ’87, and Danielle Dyer ’81 ’89Tu. Young Alumni Distinguished Service Awards were presented to Janna Annest ’00, Deborah Atuk ’04Tu, and Greg Chittim ’01 ’02Th ’03Th.

At the spring meeting, the Professional Development Committee offered students an alumni councilor panel titled “From Diverse Majors at Dartmouth to Interesting Career Paths.” Alumni councilors participated in one of three student dinner discussion groups focused on Tucker Foundation Alternative Spring Breaks, the Rockefeller Fellows Leadership Program, and Student Creativity and Entrepreneurship. The Alumni Service Committee reported on its very successful first annual Dartmouth Alumni Day of Service that was held on May 2 with more than 300 alumni throughout the country participating in community-service projects. Councilors attended presentations by President Philip Hanlon ’77; dean of admissions and financial aid Maria Laskaris ’84; vice president for Alumni Relations Martha Beattie ’76; and Ambassador Daniel Benjamin, director of the Dickey Center, who moderated a student panel focused on “Great Issues and Global Citizens.” The previous January, the Steering Committee for Moving Dartmouth Forward released its final report, and President Hanlon initiated a plan to address high-risk behavior on campus. Interim dean of the College Inge-Lise Ameer provided information on implementation of the different segments of the plan which included a ban on hard alcohol, the creation of a Code of Conduct, and initiatives pertaining to residential housing and sexual assault. A major portion of the weekend focused on the graduate programs at Dartmouth. Councilors toured the Tuck School of Business and the Thayer School of Engineering. Following the tours, senior vice president for Advancement Bob Lasher ’88 moderated a panel titled “The Future of Professional Education at Dartmouth: A Conversation with the Deans.” The panel included interim dean of the Geisel School of Medicine Duane Compton, dean of the Tuck School of Business Paul Danos, and dean of the Thayer School of Engineering Joe Helble. In addition, dean of graduate studies F. Jon Kull ’88 spoke about the formation of a School of Graduate and Advanced Studies at Dartmouth. On Friday evening, trustee Laurel Richie ’81, president of the Women’s National Basketball Association, made an address to the Alumni Council. At the closing plenary session, councilors listened to an update about the Board of Trustees from chair Bill Helman ’80 and Laurel Richie; received information about Dartmouth philanthropy from Bob Lasher; and heard from Lisa Baldez, director of the Art and Science of Teaching at the Dartmouth Center for the Advancement of Learning. The Alumni Council formally thanked outgoing Alumni Council president Lou Spelios ’95 for his service.

2016

The theme for the fall meeting of the Alumni Council focused on the financial model of higher education. Presentations were made by President Philip Hanlon ’77; Pam Peedin ’89 ‘98Tu, chief investment officer; Rick Mills, executive vice president; Mike Wagner, chief financial officer; Rebecca Biron, dean of the College; Inge-Lise Ameer, vice provost for student affairs; Carolyn Dever, provost; Martha Beattie ’76, vice president for alumni relations; Bill Helman ’80, chair of the Board of Trustees; Emily Bakemeier ’82, trustee; Ben Wilson ’73, trustee; and Ann Root Keith, chief operating officer for advancement. In addition, associate professor of history and assistant dean of faculty for pre-major advising Cecelia Gaposchkin spoke about “The Function of a Liberal Arts Education”. With renovations to the Hood Museum on the horizon, Juliette Bianco ’94, interim director of the Hood Museum of Art; Lisa Hogarty, vice president of campus services; and Bob Lasher ’88, senior vice president for advancement, shared information about the Hood Museum expansion as a case study in capital project development at Dartmouth. Councilors participated in career conversations with students which were followed by a reception held in the Center for Professional Development. As the College plans for the formation of house communities as a residential life model, councilors participated in breakout sessions providing feedback about potential opportunities for alumni to be involved with residential programming. At the Friday dinner, the Alumni Council presented the Dartmouth Alumni Award to Ellie Mahoney Loughlin ’89, Ellis B. Rowe ’74, and Patricia E. Berry ’81. The Young Alumni Distinguished Service Award was presented to Michael J. Vidmar ’03 and S. Caroline Kerr ’05.

The spring meeting, with a theme of “Global Dartmouth” kicked off with three dinner discussion groups with students titled “Maximizing Experiential Learning through the Dartmouth Plan”, “Dartmouth Students Impacting the World”, and “Dartmouth Humanitarian Engineering”. These discussions were followed by a professional development program connecting alumni councilors and students. Councilors were offered the opportunity to attend an undergraduate class on Friday morning and then heard a faculty panel presentation focused on international security, moderated by Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Mike Mastanduno, and including Daniel Benjamin ‘57a, director of the Dickey Center for International Understanding; Jeffrey Friedman, assistant professor of government; and Jennifer Lind, associate professor of government. Additional presentations were made by President Philip Hanlon ’77; Dr. Lisa Adams MED ’90, associate dean for global health and director of the Center for Health Equity; Dean of the College Rebecca Biron; Bill Helman ’80, chair of the Board of Trustees; John Replogle ’88, trustee; Meg Lysy ’99, director of the admissions ambassador program; Ann Root Keith, chief operating officer for Advancement; and Sylvia Racca ‘83a, A’13, executive director of the Dartmouth College Fund and special fundraising initiatives. At the Friday evening dinner banquet, Jake Tapper ’91, chief Washington correspondent for CNN, addressed the Council. Helene Rassias-Miles A’08, executive director of the Rassias Center presented a tribute to her father, John Rassias ‘49a, ‘76a, Dartmouth’s William R. Kenan Professor, who had passed away in December. Following her presentation, the Alumni Council announced the creation of the “Professor John Rassias Faculty Recognition Award.” This will be presented annually to a faculty member who has demonstrated strong engagement with Dartmouth alumni in support of lifelong learning. During the weekend, councilors discussed the reports that had been recently published by the three working groups on inclusive excellence that focused on diversity and inclusivity of faculty, students, and staff. At the closing plenary, a Dartmouth student addressed the Alumni Council during the open microphone session to thank the Council for their past support of the recruitment and retention of faculty at Dartmouth, noting the Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity and Inclusion report that had been produced in 2013, and asked for continued support on this important goal.

Fall 2016

Alumni councilors participated in a roundtable discussion with students titled “Career Connections: Speed Networking with Alumni.” Later they attended a program titled “Dartmouth’s House Communities: They’re Here!,” which featured Kathryn Lively, professor of sociology; and Dennis Washburn, Jane and Raphael Bernstein Professor in Asian Studies; and was moderated by Mike Wooten, senior assistant dean of residential life.

Inge-Lise Ameer, vice provost for student affairs, provided a campus update, focusing first on a recent fire in Morton Hall and then on the Center for Professional Development. Jay Davis ’90, director of the First Year Student Enrichment Program (FYSEP), along with Alexis Castillo ’19, presented on first-generation programs at Dartmouth.

Alumni councilors toured the house community social spaces, then returned for a faculty panel titled Diversity of Political Thought in America and at Dartmouth. Moderated by alumni councilor Jennifer Avellino ’89, the panel featured Andrew Samwick, the Sandra L. and Arthur L. Irving ’72a P’10 Professor of Economics and Director, Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences; Sonu Bedi, associate professor of government; and Leslie Butler, associate professor of history. Communities for All: A Conversation with Alumni Leaders featured Martha Gerhan ’83, Adrienne “Tee” Lotson ’82, Steven Tseng ’95 Tu’01, and Melanie Pastuck ’11. Participants discussed how their respective communities work to support alumni and current students, as well as continuously seek to broaden inclusion and engagement and build leadership.

President Hanlon spoke about the house communities, experiential learning initiatives, the Inclusive Excellence initiative, and the creation of the Arthur L. Irving Institute for Energy and Society. Dean Michael Mastanduno described how Dartmouth continues to position itself as both a liberal arts college and a premier research institute.

Two alumni received the Young Alumni Distinguished Service Award: Maia Josebachvili ’05 and Shounak Simlai ’05 Th’07. Three alumni were honored with the Dartmouth Alumni Award: Philip C. Kron ’60, Tu’61; Charles E. Haldeman Jr. ’70; and Margaret N. Sommerfeld ’90.

Chair Bill Helman and Caroline Kerr reported from the Board of Trustees. Catherine Craighead Briggs ’88, chair of the Dartmouth College Fund Committee (DCFC), updated the Council on the committee’s initiatives. In the panel Competing Beyond Our Differences, Jack Connolly ’16, Ashli Cook ’18, Joseph Cook ’18, and AnnClaire MacArt ’18 discussed their experiences as student-athletes.

Spring 2017

The 214th session of the Dartmouth Alumni Council opened with three student panel dinner discussion groups: Thinking Like the Fed: The Fed Cup Challenge; Experiencing Human Origins in South Africa; and The College Pulse App: It Pays to Be Heard. Later that evening, alumni councilors attended The Pitch: “Shark Tank” for Student Groups, an event sponsored by the Council’s Professional Development Committee.

Lisa Baldez, professor of government and of Latin American, Latino and Caribbean studies, Cheheyl and director, Dartmouth Center for the Advancement of Learning (DCAL) presented Small Place, Big Ambitions: How Teaching and Learning Are Changing at Dartmouth. Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee Mary Dengler ’96 presented the inaugural Professor John Rassias Faculty Award to Donald Pease, Professor of English and Comparative Literature, The Ted and Helen Geisel Third Century Professor in the Humanities, and chair of the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program; and to Steve Swayne, the Jacob H. Strauss 1922 Professor of Music, and Co-Director, Humanities 1 and 2.

The first plenary session opened with welcome remarks by Alumni Council President Russell Wolff ’89 TU’94. President Hanlon greeted the councilors and thanked them for their important work in communicating with their constituents. The president shared recent news about Dartmouth admissions, faculty, and the upcoming launch of a capital campaign.

Vice President for Communications Justin Anderson provided an overview of Dartmouth’s strategic communications framework: liberal arts at the core; scholars who love to teach; an adventuresome spirit; base camp to the world; and a profound sense of place. Andrew Davidson, vice president for development, and Ann Root Keith, chief operating officer for advancement discussed stages of planning for the next campaign. A public launch is planned for FY 2018, and these efforts will be part of and continue through the celebration of the 250th anniversary.

Edward Miller, associate professor of history; and Jennifer Miller, assistant professor of history, convened a panel of students to speak about the Dartmouth Vietnam Project (DVP) to the Council. The DVP brings together members of the Dartmouth community to conduct, record, and preserve oral histories about the Vietnam War era.

Lee Coffin, vice provost for enrollment management and dean of admissions and financial aid, and Meg Lysy ’99, director of the Admissions Ambassador Program, provided an update on admissions. Later that evening, councilors heard remarks by the Honorable Eric Fanning ’90, the 22nd secretary of the Army.

The next morning, Laurel Richie ’81, trustee-chair elect, provided an update from the Board of Trustees. She opened by thanking the councilors for their service to the College. Dartmouth is positioned for differentiation, combining the power of a liberal arts school with three professional schools.

John “J.B.” Daukas ’84, former president of the Alumni Council and Association of Alumni (AOA), led a study of Board of Trustees (BOT) and AOA election rules. Committee reports were followed by a presentation titled Thayer: How Engineering + Liberal Arts = National Leadership, moderated by Joseph J. Helble, dean of the Thayer School of Engineering and professor of engineering; with panelists John Currier ’79, TH’81, Thayer School research engineer; Ryan Halter, assistant professor of engineering, adjunct assistant professor of surgery, Geisel School of Medicine; Vicki May, professor of engineering; and Petra Bonfert-Taylor, professor of engineering.

Fall 2017

Alumni councilors traveled to the newly opened Moosilauke Ravine Lodge. There, Alumni Council President Jacques (Jack) Steinberg ’88 introduced Director of Outdoor Programs Dan Nelson ’75 who provided a brief history of the Lodge, and students who serve as Lodge crew members led tours of the facility. A student panel discussion featured Jessica Jones ’18, Rachel Muir ’20, and Doug Phipps ’17. The morning closed with a surprise reading of Dr. Seuss’ (Theodor Seuss Geisel ’25) Green Eggs and Ham by Professor Don Pease, the Ted and Helen Geisel Third Century Professor in the Humanities.

Upon returning to campus, alumni councilors attended Pathways to Leadership: A Strategic Vision for Dartmouth. The program featured a panel discussion on the strategic vision and brand work of the past year, plans for a campaign to resource that vision, and aspirational outcomes for Dartmouth’s future positioning with President Philip J. Hanlon ’77, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Elizabeth Smith, Vice President for Communications Justin Anderson, Senior Vice President for Advancement Bob Lasher ’88, Trustee and Campaign Co-chair Ellie Loughlin ’89, Scott Stuart ’81, Anne Kubik ’87, and Aly Jeddy ’93.

Two alumni received the Young Alumni Distinguished Service Award: Kevin Hudak ’07 and Heiyab Tessema ’04, Th’05, Th’06. Two alumni were honored with the Dartmouth Alumni Award: Sherri C. Oberg ’82, Tu’86 and Arthur M. Kelton ‘61.

Trustee Emily Bakemeier ’82 provided an update from the Board of Trustees. Diversity and inclusion are of paramount importance for Dartmouth, and the entire Board of Trustees just underwent training in this realm. Recruitment and retention of excellent faculty is crucial. There are several construction projects going on all over campus. The upcoming capital campaign will focus on fiscal priorities.

Next on the agenda was a Nominating and Alumni Trustee Search Committee update, provided by chair Alyse Streicher ‘95. In June, Dartmouth alumni were invited to share trustee recommendations. The Alumni Council voted unanimously to approve both Council-nominated candidates, Jeffrey M. Crowe ’78 and Elizabeth Cahill Lempres ’83, Th’84. In 2014, Dartmouth alumni passed an amendment to the Association of Alumni constitution which eliminates the requirement of alumni-wide balloting if there is an uncontested slate. The 2018 vacancies will be the first since the amendment was approved by 89 percent of voting alumni.

Spring 2018

Alumni Council President Jacques “Jack” Steinberg ’88 and Vice President for Alumni Relations Martha J. Beattie ’76 welcomed and briefed the Council. Councilors attended dinner discussion groups focused on living and learning in the house communities in “The Onion” (House Center A) and “The Cube” (House Center B).

Academic Affairs Committee Chair David Silbersweig ’82 recognized this year’s recipients of the Professor John Rassias Faculty Award, Susan Ackerman ’80, the Preston H. Kelsey Professor of Religion; and Vicki May, professor of engineering at the Thayer School of Engineering. The Council then heard remarks from Hilary Tompkins ’90, former solicitor for the Department of the Interior.

The first plenary session opened with Supporting Our Students, with Rebecca Biron, dean of the College and professor of Spanish and comparative literature; and Dino Koff, director of financial aid. Sherri Oberg ’82 Tu’86, trustee emerita, moderated a panel titled Big Bets on Discovery, featuring David Kotz ’86, interim provost and Champion International Professor in the department of Computer Science; Steven Leach, director, Norris Cotton Cancer Center; and Ross Virginia, Myers Family Professor of Environmental Science and director, Institute of Arctic Studies.

Dartmouth: The Preeminent Institution for the Teacher-Scholar was moderated by Elizabeth F. Smith, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and featured panelists William Cheng, associate professor of music; Katie Hornstein, associate professor of art history; and Robyn Millan, the Margaret Anne and Edward Leede ’49 Distinguished Professor. Dartmouth’s Deans: Visions for Distinction and Differentiation featured Duane A. Compton, dean of the Geisel School of Medicine; Joseph J. Helble, dean of the Thayer School of Engineering; Praveen Kopalle, associate dean, Tuck School of Business; F. Jon Kull ’88, dean of the Frank J. Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies; and Elizabeth Smith, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

Alumni Council President-Elect Adrienne “Tee” Lotson ’82 opened the Saturday plenary session. Caroline Hribar moderated a session titled Behind the Scenes in The Call to Lead Campaign. Participants included Laurel Richie; Ed Haldeman; Ellie Loughlin; and Bob Lasher, senior vice president for advancement. Richie who provided an update from the Board. A focus of the year has been planning for the launch of The Call to Lead campaign. Richie thanked the Council for engaging deeply with the vision for Dartmouth and for communicating Dartmouth’s direction and priorities to alumni.

Fall 2018

All councilors were invited to participate in a welcome and constituent answer session, led by Alumni Council President Adrienne “Tee” Lotson ’82. Afterwards, affiliated group representatives met with Executive Committee members.

Vice President for Alumni Relations Cheryl Bascomb ’82 and Donald Pease, The Ted and Helen Geisel Third Century Professor in the Humanities, led a session titled 250! Celebrating the Past, Looking Ahead to the Future. Dartmouth’s sestercentennial celebration will be marked by a yearlong portfolio of events, exhibits, academic initiatives, publications and commemorative items. The re-argument of the Supreme Court Case Trustees of Dartmouth v. Woodward, a pivotal moment in Dartmouth’s history, will be part of the celebration. Former U.S. Solicitors General Neal Katyal ’91 and Greg Garre ’87 will argue the case, with Chief Justice John Roberts presiding.

The official kickoff will take place in Hanover in January, followed by a skating party and kickoff in New York City later in the month. During a “greenlighting,” landmarks around the world, such as One World Tower, Niagara Falls, and Philadelphia’s Boat House Row, will be lit green. Also in 2019, the newly renovated Hood Museum of Art will re-open. The Call to Lead: A Campaign for Dartmouth will travel to cities around the world for regional celebrations.

Next on the agenda was a Nominating and Alumni Trustee Search Committee update, provided by chair Beth Donahoe Cook ’94.

Chief Operating Officer for Advancement Ann Root Keith and Vice President for Development Andrew Davidson presented Your Impact: Alumni Council and The Call to Lead. Executive Director of Advancement Communications Jon Goldstein then spoke about the key findings of a campaign awareness study. Council president Jack Steinberg’s message had the highest open rate for a non-presidential message at 46 percent. There were 70,037 total video views on social media–the previous all-time high for Dartmouth video online was just over 15,000. There was a 119 percent increase in Facebook weekly reach, and 86 percent increase in comments, likes, and shares.

Andrew Davidson described what gifts count in a campaign. Nestor Paz Galindo ’93, alumni councilor and co-chair of the EMEA Regional Campaign Committee, presented a case study about his constituency of international alumni and the campaign. Laura Mattson ’89, New York Regional Campaign Committee member, talked about upcoming regional events to celebrate Dartmouth’s 250th anniversary and The Call to Lead.

Trustee R. William Burgess ’81 provided an update from the Board of Trustees. Vice Provost for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Lee Coffin spoke as well. 57 nations are represented in the Class of 2022, and the yield rose dramatically last year.

News You Need: Updates on Timely Topics was broken into three sections. First, Kristi Clemens spoke about her role as Dartmouth's Title IX Coordinator and Clery Act Compliance Officer. Next, Interim Vice President of Campus Services Steven Moore spoke about the campus master plan. Executive Vice President Rick Mills spoke about the recent shooting incident near campus. The College’s emergency preparedness response and notification system, DartAlert worked as planned and drilled.

This was followed by a session titled “Basecamp to the World: A Launchpad for Global Citizens.” Associate Dean of Student Affairs Katherine Burke highlighted opportunities for international students, such as the King Scholar Leadership Program. Melody Brown Burkins Gr'95 Gr'98, associate director for programs and research in the John Sloan Dickey Center for International Understanding talked about leadership opportunities such as the Great Issues Scholars and War & Peace Fellows. Senior Program Director Amy Newcomb described how the concept of “base camp to the world” has created many ways for students to engage. Sarah Atac ’18 Th’19 explained how she built her own internship with a small NGO and the U.S. Department of State, working in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Two alumni received the Young Alumni Distinguished Service Award: Melanie Pastuck ’11 and John Valdez ’07 (who was unfortunately unable to attend due to an early winter snowstorm). Three outstanding alumni were honored with the Dartmouth Alumni Award: Edward Heald ’68, Harris McKee ’61 Th’63, and Lynne Hamel Gaudet ’81.

The Alumni Council voted unanimously to approve both alumni-nominated trustee candidates, Hilary Tompkins ’90 and Dan Black ’82.

Spring 2019

Alumni councilors attended a welcome and briefing session led by Alumni Council President Adrienne “Tee” Lotson ’82 and Vice President for Alumni Relations Cheryl Bascomb ’82. Afterwards, councilors heard Chris Demos-Brown ’86 spoke about his Broadway play American Son.

The Council came together for the first plenary session, The Call to Serve and Alumni Day of Service, presented by Bascomb and Rachel Bogardus Drew ’98, chair of the Alumni Service Committee. The Call to Serve is an opportunity to celebrate Dartmouth’s 250th anniversary with 250,000 hours of service. Councilors participated in a letter writing service project benefitting two nonprofit organizations.

Laurel Richie ’81, chair of the Board of Trustees, provided an update from the Board. Richie thanked the Council for supporting the vision for Dartmouth and for communicating Dartmouth’s direction and priorities to alumni, particularly the 250th anniversary and the Call to Lead campaign. In January, Dartmouth launched the Campus Climate and Culture Initiative (C3I). Its third pillar is a comprehensive set of initiatives to create a more welcoming, inclusive, and equitable learning environment for Dartmouth students, faculty and staff.

Academic Affairs Committee Chair Brandi Johnson presented the Professor John Rassias Faculty Award to Professor of Mathematics Dorothy Wallace. The Council toured the newly renovated Hood Museum of Art with John Stomberg, the Virginia Rice Kelsey 1961s Director of the Hood Museum of Art, and Juliette Bianco ’94, deputy director.

Director of Campus Planning Joanna Whitcomb explained the scope and the goals of the Dartmouth Strategic Master Plan. A 30-person advisory group has requested input in thinking about the future of the campus. Next steps in the planning process include continuing to solicit input; completing data collection; conducting site, property, and building analyses; and developing draft principles.

Provost Joe Helble and Theodosia Cook, the initiative’s director, provided background on the Campus Climate and Culture Initiative (C3I). C3I is the third pillar (along with Moving Dartmouth Forward and Inclusive Excellence) in a comprehensive set of initiatives designed to create a more welcoming, inclusive, and equitable environment for all Dartmouth students, faculty and staff.

That evening the councilors attended The Call to Lead Campaign Celebration and Dartmouth Turns 250! Party.

Alumni Council president-elect Alec Casey ’88 opened the Saturday plenary session. During Round the Girdled Earth: Global Summits and International Alumni Engagement, Nestor Paz-Galindo ’93, the international rep for the Alumni Council and co-chair for the Latin America Regional Committee for The Call to Lead, presented with Senior Vice President for Advancement Bob Lasher ’88. Paz-Galindo explained how efforts are being made to build Dartmouth’s reputation as a global institution.

Fall 2019

All councilors were invited to the Alumni Council opening session, led by Alumni Council President C. Alec Casey ’88 and Vice President for Alumni Relations Cheryl Bascomb ‘82. The next morning, Council representatives of the affiliated groups met for coffee and conversation.

The Council discussed FY20 initiatives. Alumni Council President Alec Casey reviewed the Council mission and makeup and posed a few questions: Is the current make-up of the Alumni Council optimal? Are there changes we should consider making alumni representation more effective while maintaining our current size? Are the current committees maximizing Alumni Councilor engagement while providing benefit to Dartmouth? Should we consider updating the committees and their mission? A survey will be sent out to the councilors to solicit input into the process. President-elect Rachel Drew ’98 joined Alec in a call for Councilor volunteers to staff these two task forces on representation and committees. The task forces will determine what additional outreach and information is needed, and meetings to develop proposals and recommendations will take place from January-March 2020. Findings and recommendations will be presented to the Council for approval in May at the 220th Council meeting.

Vice Provost for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Lee Coffin offered a Dartmouth Admissions update. This year saw a record number of applicants to Dartmouth, with 21 applicants per seat. Dean of Libraries Sue Mehrer discussed the future of Dartmouth’s libraries. As context, the dean spoke about how scholarship is evolving with the ever-increasing possibilities created by technological advances. The proposed re-design of Berry Library aims to connect students and faculty with the breadth and depth of the College’s collections.

Next on the agenda was a Nominating and Alumni Trustee Search Committee briefing, provided by chair Laurie Shapiro ‘95. Four of the eight current alumni-nominated trustees will rotate off the Board of Trustees in 2020 and 2021. The Alumni Council voted to nominate one candidate for each of the three vacancies. If the slate is contested, an election will be held in February and March, with the results announced at the Association of Alumni annual meeting.

The Alumni Council luncheon featured presentations by Kathryn Lively, the Dean of the College; Mike Wagner, Dartmouth’s Chief Financial Officer; Josh Keniston, Vice President for Institutional Projects; and Rosi Kerr ’97, Director of Sustainability. Dean Lively provided an update on the house communities. Chief Financial Officer Mike Wagner provided an update on finance. New initiatives in the budget since 2013 include academic clusters, faculty salary commitment, the Irving Institute for Energy and Society, the Guarini Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, undergraduate scholarships surpassing $110M, academic initiatives funding, increased plant renewal funding, Moving Dartmouth Forward (including creation of the house centers and house professor houses), and funding experiential learning. Josh Keniston spoke about the planning and process summary behind the Dartmouth Green Energy project. Rosi Kerr described how the overlap of student experience and operations drive the sustainability effort.

The second plenary opened with a session titled Young Alumni and the Call to Lead. Vice President for Development Andrew Davidson and Whitney Flynn ’07 Tu’16 talked about the campaign progress. The mission for the Young Alumni Campaign Advisors is to cultivate the next generation of Dartmouth alumni, inspire leadership commitments, and increase participation in the Call to Lead and Bartlett Tower Society.

Next on the agenda was On the Road with the Stretch: Learning How the Earth Works. Edward Meyer, Earth Sciences off campus program director, Marisa Palucis, assistant professor of Earth Science, and Carl Renshaw, chair and professor of Earth Sciences, were joined by two students, Mary Tobin ’20 and Max Bond ’20. This is the 54th year of “the Stretch,” the Earth Sciences department’s off campus program, which is one of the oldest programs on campus.

The Council heard an update on the Board of Trustees from chair Laurel Richie ’81. She thanked the councilors for being ambassadors for the College and trusted advisors to the institution and the Board. The Call to Lead campaign recently crossed the $2B mark. Dartmouth is celebrating its 250th year with celebrations on campus and on the road in 12 cities across the U.S., as well as a global summit in London.

Two alumni received the Young Alumni Distinguished Service Award: Nathan Bruschi ’10 and Kyle Polite ‘05. Three outstanding alumni were honored with the Dartmouth Alumni Award: James Wooster, III ’59 Th’60 Tu’60, Russell Wolff ’89, and Veree Hawkins Brown ’93.

Alumni Council President-Elect Rachel Drew ‘98 opened the Saturday plenary session and introduced President Phil Hanlon ’77. In the next session, Laurie Shapiro presented the alumni nominated trustee candidates. The Alumni Council voted unanimously to approve all three candidates, Susan Finegan ’85, Odette Harris ’91, and Gregg Lemkau ’91.