(soothing music)
- Welcome back.
It's a thrill to have so many of you back on campus,
live and in person for the start of the Fall term.
It's been so great to reconnect with colleagues,
welcome new and returning students,
and wholly re-engage
with this special place we call Dartmouth.
And there's so much to be excited about.
Trips and outdoor programs starting again,
the return of artistic performances at the Hop,
the new indoor practice facility,
ready for our student athletes as they resume competition,
the new center for engineering and computer science
that has risen in the west end of campus,
along with the exciting new
Irving Institute for Energy and Society,
the stunning renovations underway at Dartmouth hall,
it is without a doubt going to be a year of homecoming
and celebration for all of us.
And I want to thank all of you, students, faculty,
and staff alike for your patience and perseverance
in getting us to this point.
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.
This coming year promises to 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.
So today,
I simply want to wish you all a great Fall term.
Be happy, stay healthy,
and embrace this time of teaching and learning together,
with everything you've got.
(soothing music)
- Hello, Dartmouth.
I send you warm greetings
from the Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity.
Welcome back to all those returning to work and study,
and welcome home to all those who are new to campus.
For many faculty, staff and students,
the Fall term may mark the first time you're returning
to Dartmouth since the start of the pandemic.
The campus welcomes you back with open air hugs
and elbow bumps,
as we continue to mask up and keep each other safe.
As a new member of the community myself,
I know firsthand the feelings of excitement
mixed with nervousness as we embark on this journey.
I was personally drawn to Dartmouth
because of the beauty of the campus,
the academic mission,
and the ability to build community.
As we continue to navigate through the pandemic,
I look forward to having meals with students in 53 Commons,
and walking the main green with colleagues.
If nothing else,
the last year and a half has taught us
the importance of family,
and the power of community.
For those students who are leaving home for the first time,
take pride in your decision to come to Dartmouth,
and use it as an opportunity to learn, grow,
and challenge yourself.
Our community is strengthened
when together we create an environment
where each member feels a sense of belonging.
I am confident we can keep the campus,
and each other safe as we return this fall.
I am excited to be a part of this community,
and look forward to meeting many of you in the weeks
and months ahead.
(soothing music)
- Hi everyone.
My name is Jennifer Qian,
and I am the student assembly president at Dartmouth.
On behalf of student assembly,
I'm honored to welcome you to Dartmouth college.
Whether you're returning after a long time away,
or stepping onto campus for the first time,
we're so excited that you're here.
To new students and 25s,
congratulations and welcome to Dartmouth.
No matter where you're from or where you're going,
we welcome you with open arms to our Dartmouth community.
As I reflect on my time at Dartmouth,
now a senior,
which is pretty crazy to say,
I would like to impart two pieces of advice
as you begin your time here.
First,
bring your full selves to the classrooms and beyond,
and take full advantage of everything Dartmouth
has to offer.
We can't wait to get to know you.
So whether it be with your first year trip, floor or club,
with new found friends, classmates, or teammates,
I urge you to bring your ideas, perspectives,
and dreams with you.
And remember that a world of opportunity
is at your fingertips.
This school has abundant resources,
esteemed faculty and a vibrant community of people
from all backgrounds, identities, and walks of life.
College is such an exciting time,
and I hope your first year on campus will be fun,
exhilarating,
and challenge you to grow in new and different ways.
My second piece of advice,
is to do all this remembering that you belong here.
It can be daunting to put yourself out there,
but every single one of you brings a wealth of experience
and perspective to the college.
I know you will make a unique impact on those around you
as you find your place.
To quote a trip's lyric,
"Nobody can do you like you do you",
and there's a whole campus here
that's eager to get to know you.
I remember being in your shoes,
taking my first steps on campus,
wondering what the next four years would bring.
From those first steps off the coach,
my peers, deans, professors and teammates
were there to give me advice on courses, careers, life,
and everything in between.
This community has built my resilience
in the face of adversity,
pushed me to explore my identity,
and had confidence in me when I could not find it in myself.
It has provided me with lifelong friends,
created experiences and memories I'll never forget,
and made Dartmouth a place I'm honored to call home.
I can't wait for you all to experience
that same kindness, support and warmth that engulfs us,
even in the snowy Hanover winters.
These are what made me fall in love
with Dartmouth in the first place.
To my returning peers, welcome back.
I can't articulate how excited I am
to see your familiar faces back on campus.
It was almost jarring to step off the coach last week,
to realize what it felt like to be back after so long,
to see new faces and familiar places,
and truly comprehend how much we have grown while away.
The last year has been tumultuous to say the least.
And we've all shared so much uncertainty, frustration, loss,
and disappointment that will only take time and effort
to heal.
This term is about reunion.
It's a reminder that we cannot take anything for granted.
And as we reunite with our old community,
rekindle old friendships,
and fall back into the familiar rhythm of an intense,
but beautiful 10 week term,
I can't help but feel excitement and motivation
for the year ahead.
Just think of all the possibilities.
We can learn and debate in physical classrooms,
study at all our favorite spots,
and push through grueling practices,
and celebrate with teammates when those finally pay off.
We can finally say hi,
grab meals and spontaneously bump into old friends
without needing to coordinate every single thing in advance.
I can't wait for chances to laugh until everything hurts,
to take DOC trips to explore the nature of the upper valley,
to dance our hearts out,
and chat with our friends deep into the night,
and all those things in between,
with all the people we love in one place.
There's a lot of work to do,
and so many great things ahead of us.
And on behalf of student assembly,
we can't wait to get to support you
as we navigate our new term.
We're so lucky to be here,
so lucky to attend this school,
and so lucky to be with each other in person.
It goes without saying that Dartmouth is special.
But special, not for its name or for our resources,
but special because of our people.
You are what makes Dartmouth exceptional.
I wish you all luck,
health and happiness for all your endeavors this term.
So whether you're stepping foot on campus for the first,
or hundredth time,
we're so glad that you're here,
and can't wait to get started for the year.
It's my honor to welcome you to the woods.
(soothing music)