2009 Commencement Report

Colleges and Universities A-Z Dartmouth College
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<p>2009 Commencement Weekend</p>

<p>We just returned from the 2009 commencement weekend and, as with everything Dartmouth does, this too was “first class.” It was a thrill to see our S take his diploma after a brisk four years at the college on the hill. It seems like yesterday that he was excitingly choosing his DOC trip during the summer of 2005.</p>

<p>The commencement activities began Friday evening with a Glee Club performance at the Hop. Saturday we attended several receptions around campus including one hosted by the department of his major. Saturday morning began with Senior Day activities at the BEMA with several student speakers addressing the class. It was there that the Valedictorians (2) were announced for the first time. Frats and Sorrieties all help parties and receptions throughout the day, as did several athletic teams. Saturday night there was an evening of entertainment held in Collis, several bands played and groups performed. Most everything was open and free to both the graduating seniors guests, some required advance registration.</p>

<p>One nice tradition at Dartmouth is that the graduating class from 50 years ago holds their reunion over Commencement weekend and “adopt” the graduating class. The Class of ’59 was there in great numbers.</p>

<p>Sunday morning brought rain and with it a sea of umbrellas across the entire Green. For the very first time a “jumbotron” was used enabling everyone to see clearly (through the rain showers) the speakers and grads. Excellent camera work! Dartmouth also broadcast the event live on the college web site, the local Community TV channel, and they had screens available on the Hop (Spellman Auditorium) and other locations throughout the campus. The sun came out as the ceremony was ending allowing family and friends to mingle in the Green for several hours afterwards.</p>

<p>It’s been a quick four years and I will surly miss the trips to Hanover – my wife and I enjoyed Dartmouth almost as much as our son did. </p>

<p>It the words of one of the Senior Day speakers, Dartmouth graduates “do well” after Dartmouth; their H.S. Guidance counselors told them so, President Wright told them so, their peers told them so, and even U.S. News has told them so. Now, they must go out into the real world and in addition to “doing well” they must “do good.”</p>

<p>Advice to parents of 10’s - make your hotel and dinner reservations this summer, don’t wait! Over ten thousand friends and family members descend on the campus for the weekend and as you probably already know, there are not a lot of hotel rooms within 5 or 10 miles. If you don’t want to commute from Burlington or Concord, call soon. We booked our hotel rooms last August (the earliest most would take reservations).</p>

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<p>My son is a 12 and it only seems like yesterday that I was reading Sybbie’s account of her daughter’s graduation last year. I cannot imagine how fast the next three years will go. During this year, my son has made many new friends and admitted to me yesterday that he thinks of all his friends that went to the East Coast that he was the most well adjusted. He attributes it to the great student body of Dartmouth. He said that between classes, clubs, friends, and the surroundings that he never felt home sick once. He looks forward to his Sophomore year as he rushes a house, takes on more leadership with clubs, and fine tunes his major. He will have a study abroad in Winter so he gets to miss the frigid months of January and February. Then it will be time to enjoy Dartmouth Summer Camp. </p>

<p>This summer he is hoping to have an editorial internship and will counsel rising Seniors at his High School on preparing the essay and common app for College applications. It is good to have him home.</p>

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<p>wow, thank you very much for that post. </p>

<p>“One nice tradition at Dartmouth is that the graduating class from 50 years ago holds their reunion over Commencement weekend and “adopt” the graduating class. The Class of ’59 was there in great numbers.”</p>

<p>I did not know about that tradition – it’s great to hear. :slight_smile: I’m very much looking forward to being a part of this all starting this fall!</p>

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<p>it was a very moving experience to see your child graduate from such a wonderful school. that coupled with the emotion of this being presiden wright’s last commencement exercise had me in tears a number of times. i also hold a special place in my heart for bill russell who received an honorary degree.</p>