Eric Hagen '96 was in his freshman year and well on his way to becoming a black belt in jujitsu when he temporarily withdrew from the College.
But Hagen was not in academic trouble, nor did the College ask him to take some time off.
The time had simply come for Hagen to follow his faith.
A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Hagen was sent on a mission, as is the custom for Mormons around the age of 20.
Hagen is one approximately 20 Mormon students at the College -- a small but thriving community. A number of these students have gone on or plan to go on missions.
According to Charles Hobbes, the president of the Manchester, N.H. Mission, "There is a high payoff for going on mission in the midst of a college career."
Hobbs said the discipline one can learn "from the overall experience is so spiritually powerful that it allows students to return to school more mature and with defined goals for themselves."
Before missionaries embark on their journeys, they typically spend up to two months in training, learning how to proselytize and, if their mission is to a foreign country, speak a new language. Missions last two years for men and 18 months for women.
Hagen was assigned to a mission in Catania, Italy, where he combined studying Italian and the Bible with doing various service projects for the community.
"The most important thing I learned on my mission was that I don't know anything. The mission was a good starting point," he said.
For Hagen, the Dartmouth Plan allowed him enough freedom to take the two years off and then come back to the College to graduate in five years.
But friendships proved to be more of a strain. "When I returned I didn't really know anyone," he said. "The '96s, who were my peers, were about to graduate so I was forced to meet new people."
Just as Hagen has returned from his mission, several freshmen at the College are preparing to embark on missions this summer.
Bryce LaPierre '00, a member of the cross country and track and field teams, said he is concerned leaving for two years will present social and athletic challenges -- but said he feels there is much to be gained from the mission experience.
While some students choose to defer their missions until they have finished their education, LaPierre said that going now is better, in his opinion.
"I will have a year of college under my belt which helps me to identify who I am," LaPierre said.
All missionaries are financially self-supported. Though some student missionaries receive financial backing from their families or home church communities.
For instance, since LaPierre was 8 years old, he has been putting half of his savings into a bank account to be used for his mission.
The Church encourages members to marry and start families; therefore women's mission are shorter so that they may return and get on with their lives as soon as possible.
Shannon Lenahan '98 said she does not feel any pressure to start a family after she graduates -- and added she is looking forward to her mission, wherever it might be.
"If you're a male in the Church you're expected to go on a mission," Lenahan said. "Women are too, but less so. Regardless, you learn a huge amount about the religion and how to spread the gospel."
