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Giving Thanks

Posted on November 23, 2021 by Office of the President

President Hanlon sends a note of thanks to students, faculty and staff at the close of fall term and the start of the holiday season.

To the Dartmouth community,

As we head into the holiday season, I simply want to take a moment to reflect, with gratitude, on the fall term and to thank each of you for making our return to in-person teaching and learning and extra-curricular activities so reaffirming.

This past week, Gail and I enjoyed a full schedule of events that truly represent Dartmouth's special sauce: outstanding undergraduate research presentations; a collection of rock-star faculty describing their inspirational scholarship to visiting alums; two special gatherings of generous financial aid donors with their deserving scholarship recipients; and an awesome performance of the Dartmouth Symphony Orchestra. We joined our hard-working Dining Staff at the late-night pre-finals pancake dinner last Wednesday and taped a thank-you to our dedicated staff celebrating milestone years of service to the College this year.

Then, to top it all off, the Women's Rugby team took home its second National Championship on Saturday night, decisively defeating Army at West Point to finish out an incredible undefeated season. And earlier in the day, a resounding win over Brown secured Dartmouth a share of our 20th Ivy League Football Championship.

Taken together, these events showcase the very best of Dartmouth: community, teamwork and collaboration, the shared intellectual journey taken by faculty and students, and each generation of Dartmouth graduates taking on the commitment to provide this same experience to the next. Given the disruptions and heartache caused by the pandemic over the last year and a half, it was moving to see that all of that is possible again.

All of you have played a role in bringing that thrill and excitement back to our community, and I cannot thank you enough for making it happen.

I hope you enjoy a peaceful holiday season and look forward, with enthusiasm, to the winter term ahead. The Dartmouth experience is one that all of us cherish, and I know we will carry that appreciation with us into the new term and new year to come.

Sincerely,

Philip J. Hanlon '77

President