Kudos to James Wright for recognizing Dartmouth's value as a research institution. What a way to credit the students and faculty here at Dartmouth who are currently spending their time in excellent research: medicine, science, drama, history, gay and lesbian studies, history, psychology etc. Research is and will always be an important element in a liberal arts education. I praise Wright for recognizing the quality of research at Dartmouth College. Just remember that old proverb: You can't judge a book by its cover.
However, despite Wright's positive affirmation of this college, I want to stress that in an educational environment such as Dartmouth, what is most important in our college is that the ties between the faculty and the students remain very strong; for it is the strength of the teaching at Dartmouth that has helped to educate so many students. In his speech, Wright explained that he wanted Dartmouth to be a place of learning and teaching. His point is well taken. Dartmouth should be a place where the teaching and the learning is second to none.
But what really makes students learn? Why do I feel excited about attending some of my classes and dread the thought of others? What is the special ingredient that transforms a basic class about religion and morality into a deluxe version, the most delicious, mouth-watering, palatable kind of class that almost requires a reservation in order to get a seat in the overcrowded classroom? The kind of class where you do extra reading just to satisfy your own academic hunger? The answer is simple. Great teachers! The best teachers. When teachers are passionate about what they are teaching, when their love for understanding and knowledge permeates a classroom, and most importantly, when teachers want to be in the classroom, this shows in the quality of education received by students. This is not news. Anyone who has ever gleaned pleasure from a class knows that the professor is the key element to a successful class. She is that special ingredient who turns one single class into a whole major. So, Wright, I challenge you in your new role as President of Dartmouth College. I challenge you to be as you said, "first and foremost ... a faculty member, a teacher and a historian." If this is true, then go for it, Wright. Just do it! Get to know Dartmouth students. Teach a class. Come to drama performances. Attend a thesis defense. Buy a veggie wrap at Thayer. Attend drill one morning. Make an afternoon of Hop fries and a studio art class. Take a beginning swing class in the miniversity at Collis. Be involved with students.
Continue to be passionate about learning at Dartmouth and you will be a great president. Make learning a two-way street between students and faculty at Dartmouth and you will be in the likes of President John G. Kemeny. If you want to strengthen Dartmouth's reputation for research, be my guest, but please, please don't forget about those professors who are what really makes Dartmouth so special.
