Community Welcome

Thank you – all of you – for being here. I know it's a far cry from enjoying hotdogs and burgers together at our typical Community Cookout to mark the start of fall term, but I promise there will be plenty of cookouts in our future.

I did, however, want to take this opportunity to welcome the full Dartmouth community to the start of a new academic year, whether you're with us remotely or here on campus. I also want to thank you for your cooperation in helping us transition back to the important work of teaching and learning so smoothly.

It's been a lot to ask of each of you, but I hope you're settling into your first week reminded of how special it is to be part of the Dartmouth community, even – and especially – in these trying times.

And I assure you that in due time, every term at Dartmouth, including this one, will be filled with all the things that make the Dartmouth experience so extraordinary:  getting to learn from professors who are not only outstanding teachers, but thought leaders in their fields…enjoying the beauty and challenge of the outdoors…building community and lifelong friends.  All of these things can and will happen, even if they're accomplished in slightly different ways.

So today, I simply want to wish you all a great fall term. It's going to be a wild ride, but a thrill nonetheless.  Be happy, stay healthy, and always remember to embrace this experience and your time at Dartmouth with everything you've got.