More than 200 alumni returned to Hanover this weekend to learn more about the College, identify and address ways they could improve students' experiences and celebrate their achievements.
Alumni Council Weekend, one of two annual meetings of geographic and at-large representatives of Dartmouth's classes, included council discussions, a celebratory dinner and a meeting with students, said Lauren Day '99, an undergraduate representative to the Alumni Council.
The meeting began Thursday afternoon and ended on Saturday, Day said.
Thursday's activities included meetings of the council's student life committee, nominating committee and College relations committee.
The Council also saw a demonstration of the Vox Alumni Network, which allows alumni across the country to keep in touch via e-mail after graduation, Day said.
After the meetings, alumni were treated to a reception in Brace Commons and a buffet in Alumni Hall, where they were entertained by the student dancing group Ujima, she said.
Friday morning began with meetings of the remaining Alumni Council organizations, including its academic affairs and student life committee, Day said.
The committee meetings were followed by a plenary session where the chair of each committee reported on its discussions, she said.
At noon on Friday, alumni with nontraditional careers in the arts, education, communications and non-profit fields discussed their experiences over a brown bag lunch with about 40 students.
The lunch was followed by a "buzz session," where council members had a chance to meet with representatives of the Rockefeller Center and with French Professor John Rassias, among others, and to find out how they could help students interested in certain programs.
After the session, alumni had a chance to see some of the campus, including Gilman Life Science Building and the Brout Orchid Collection.
That evening, President James Freedman gave his final address to the council, Day said.
Freedman spoke about the need to change Dartmouth in order to maintain the values it stands for, said Sherri Oberg '82, the former council president.
She said Freedman pointed to coeducation and the creation of the Native American Studies department as "big changes that made Dartmouth stay the same because of its tradition of educating leaders."
The evening included the recognition of both Young Alumni and Alumni Award winners, Oberg said.
She said the Young Alumni award winners all received their awards within 15 years of their graduation and were recognized for their volunteer service.
The Alumni Award recipients were recognized for volunteer service, accomplishments in their careers or civic responsibility.
Day said all the recipients who were present, including a member of the Class of 1929, were asked to stand while their names were read, and everyone who attended the ceremony received a booklet containing the names of all of the past honorees.
Saturday, the final day of the meeting, included another discussion with the entire council, a report by Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Karl Furstenberg and reports by the four undergraduate representatives to the council, Day said.
Undergraduate representative to the Alumni Council Marene Jennings '98 said she discussed the need for an ethnic studies program.
Representative Willy Wong '99 spoke about the Senior Symposium program and the Tucker Foundation, Day said.
Day said she spoke about career services leave term internships and representative Spencer Doyle '98 spoke about his four years at the College.
