It takes an energetic and committed student to intern for the president of the College, but if any member of the senior class fits the bill, it is Theresa Ellis '97.
Whether it is volunteering at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, talking to alumni or studying Danish, Ellis handles whatever she is doing with zeal and excitement.
The 22-year-old religion major said she wanted to become the intern to College President James Freedman to "cap off" her experiences at the College and to gain a "window into that world" of the upper levels of administration.
But Ellis has not only gotten some insight into the inner workings of Parkhust Hall -- she has brought to her job a work ethic and thoughtfulness that is exceptional, even among students at a school of excellence like Dartmouth.
'Opened my eyes'
Interning for the president has given Ellis a chance to see the man that very few other students at the College are able to see.
For example, Ellis said she had seen Freedman speak at Convocation and read his book, "Idealism and Liberal Education," before she started working for him.
But she said as his intern, she has been able to see the values contained in Freedman's speeches and writings actualized.
Ellis said students may not see the real Freedman because he is often not out and about around campus, but she described him as "genuine, thoughtful and warm."
"He's so willing to give of himself. He really loves this place," she said. "He wants to see students succeed and make Dartmouth a better place."
Ellis said the experience has "heightened my awareness and opened my eyes" to the functions of the College, such as who is behind Dartmouth's architecture or its endowment fund. "I'm more appreciative of the things we take for granted," she said.
She said she has increased respect for Freedman and his work "behind the scenes" because of her role.
"I feel like I have a sense of who he is and what he represents," she said.
Freedman, in turn, was generous in his praise for Ellis, calling the job she has been doing "absolutely outstanding."
"She is smart, nice, very reliable, conscientious and imaginative -- she really has an original mind," he said.
Senior Assistant to the President Peter Gilbert called Ellis "an insightful observer of issues at Dartmouth" and said she goes about all her tasks "extremely thoughtfully."
Ellis certainly has her hands full, but even her long list of responsibilities may not compare to the daunting application process she endured to become Freedman's intern.
First, she had to write a four-page letter to Freedman himself, explaining why she desired the position and detailing some of her life-changing experiences.
She then had to survive two rounds of interviews with the president's assistants and a third interview with the president himself. Despite the grueling process, Ellis said "It was worth it -- I'm glad I persisted."
Ellis credited her predecessor as the intern in the president's office, Monica Oberkofler '96, as a main reason she applied for the position.
Much work, some play
But there is certainly much more to Ellis than working away in Parkhurst.
When not in Freedman's office Ellis dedicates much time to her academic pursuits and many other activities.
She is currently working on a thesis about Sren Kierkegaard and his philosophy of romantic and erotic love.
Ellis said she was so excited about the topic that she traveled to the Kierkegaard Library at St. Olaf's College in Minnesota and studied Danish, the language of most of Kierkegaard's texts.
"I love it. It's one of the most rewarding things I've done at Dartmouth," she said.
She said she finds the study of religion fascinating and likes to ask enigmatic questions, such as "Is there a God?"
Ellis' thesis advisor, Religion Professor Ronald Green praised her talents and motivation.
"Theresa was a bit discouraged by Dartmouth when she first came here," Green said. "Students were less serious about their studies than she expected. I told her to bide her time because everyone finds their place eventually."
Green said Ellis has found her place at the College in her many activities, including the Palaeopitus senior advisory board and Casque and Gauntlet senior society.
As a former intern to Dean of Student Life Holly Sateia, Ellis helped plan the first Ivy League Leadership Symposium to improve communication between campus leaders.
She is involved in the Big Brother/Big Sister Program at the Tucker Foundation and volunteers at the cancer ward of DHMC.
In addition, she participated in the Leadership Discovery Program and was a member of Green Key. And she still finds time to gives campus tours for the Admissions Office.
In her spare time, she said she enjoys watching television and she has also recently taken up fly fishing.
Student Assembly President Jon Heavey '97, a friend of Ellis' said Ellis is able to perform well in so many activities because she is "a rock of stability."
Amanda Paulson '97, who has been friends with Ellis since freshman orientation, said the president's intern is "incredibly motivated and ambitious." In addition, Paulson said Ellis is "someone who gives good advice, someone you can connect with on a non-superficial level."
Ellis' friends said her qualities will allow her to succeed after Dartmouth.
"I'll water ski off her coat tails," Heavey said. "She'll be blazing a trail."
Next year, Ellis said she hopes to teach English in a middle school or high school in Washington, D.C. She said she would eventually like to run for the U.S. Congress and to work in a field she is passionate about -- education.
