This year's graduating seniors learned yesterday that besides acceptance letters or job offers, they will have one more thing to look forward to this term -- hearing President Bill Clinton speak at their Commencement in June.
Most seniors, spanning the entire political spectrum, welcomed the presidential visit as a unique opportunity for the College, their families and themselves.
"He is definitely an intelligent man whether or not you agree with his politics," Kirsten Glass '95 said.
Jeremy Katz '95, a conservative, agreed with Glass's sentiments.
"I think it is an honor for the president to speak," Katz said. "I don't think he has been a particularly great president, but it would still be a great way to cap off four years."
John Schulof '95 said, "I think it's fantastic."
"It will focus the attention of the country on the ceremony," he said.
Students have also received positive reactions from their parents regarding Clinton's decision to speak at Dartmouth.
"My parents were excited and they are Republicans," Meredith Roth '95 said.
Roth said she was interested in the potential content of Clinton's speech, which will take on an added significance as the campaign season rolls around and Election Day in November 1996 approaches.
"It would be interesting got see if Clinton maps out any policy in his speech,"Roth said.
New Hampshire, which will hold its primary in February 1996, is the first contest of the presidential race.
Still, some students worry the crowds will create overwhelming hassles and raise security concerns.
"It is going to be exciting but also a pain in the neck because of the Secret Service," Scott Swenson '95 said.
When President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the last sitting president to make a Commencement speech at Dartmouth, visited in 1953, security was beefed up due to a record number of spectators, according to an issue of Dartmouth Life.
College spokesman Alex Huppe said the College expects a large turnout for this year's ceremonies.
Currently, Commencement is scheduled to be held on the Green on June 11, but Huppe said no decisions have been made yet as to the location of the event or whether there might be limits on the number of people allowed to attend.
"I don't think these plans have been finalized yet," Huppe said. "Our goal is to get as many people to witness the event as possible," he said.
Some seniors said the media spectacle and the overwhelming attention paid to the President's speech would detract from the Commencement ceremony's purpose of recognizing student achievement.
But others said those concerns were outweighed by the importance Clinton's presence would mean for the College and the memories of their graduation.
"As we graduate, we celebrate the work we all put in towards our degrees," said David Lee '95, former president of the Young Democrats at Dartmouth. "This just highlights the honor."
Huppe said Clinton's address will be a historic event and will give the College greater national attention.
"I think it is really exciting and am looking forward to it," Allison Krasnow '95 said.
