Brian Sleet '00 probably had to rush off to attend to last minute details for the Run DMC concert he helped organize or to DJ a show on the radio, but his relaxed manner concealed it well.
A Programming Board co-chair, assistant programming director of WDCR, Drug Abuse Peer Advisor, Green Key member and '00 Class Council member, Sleet could be the poster boy for getting involved at Dartmouth.
"If I figure I can make a difference, I'll be there" Sleet said.
Although Sleet, a sociology major, came to Dartmouth expressly "to be in the middle of nowhere" so he could concentrate on academics, it is obvious those are not his only concern.
Sleet said being a DAPA is one of his most important activities, although he also enjoys his work at the radio station.
But Sleet did not come to the College intending to be so involved. Friends asked for his help on their activities, and soon his list of activities grew longer.
Although his father went to Princeton University and his brother went to Harvard University, he did not grow up thinking he was headed for an Ivy League school.
"[My parents] never really played up the fact that they had gone to really good schools," Sleet said.
"Up until half way through my sophomore year, all I wanted to do was go to New York city and to be a rap star," he chuckled.
Coming from an all black neighborhood in Chicago, Dartmouth and Hanover were a culture shock. "I'd never been around so many white people" Sleet said, laughing quietly.
Joining the Afro-American Society and spending time at Cutter-Shabazz Hall helped Sleet adjust, but he is not satisfied with the way racial issues are handled at Dartmouth.
He cited people's reluctance to ask questions and initiate dialogue about race as a major problem here.
Students wary of political incorrectness are afraid to admit ignorance about race or culture, but speaking up is an important part of learning, he said.
"There's some people in this world that have racial prejudices ... that doesn't mean they're evil," Sleet said. "There's such a stigma about not being completely enlightened, but the fact of the matter is nobody is completely enlightened."
Those who work with Sleet on campus activities say he is comfortable and effective as a leader.
In his speech on Convocation this term, Student Assembly President Josh Green '00 lauded Sleet for his willingness to help the Assembly despite his many other commitments.
"It seems as if he never runs out of energy ... he's really inspiring," Green said in an interview yesterday.
Catherine Maxson '99, who is Sleet's co-chair on the Programming Board, said Sleet is skilled at "juggling a million things at once" and communicating frankly with people.
