The death of College President Emeritus James O. Freedman one week ago was a significant loss for both the Dartmouth community and the greater public. During his 11 years at Dartmouth, from 1987-1998, Freedman oversaw a number of successful initiatives as well as many controversies. He was passionate about creating a campus with a stronger intellectual culture -- both in reality and in its image. And while these policies often brought him into conflict with different campus groups, his overall vision for Dartmouth as a place for people of all interests and passions, from creative loners to social beings, is one that colored his entire tenure and remains strong.
Indeed, Freedman's efforts to change Dartmouth were so instrumental that many of his ideas, if introduced today, would fail to generate the kind of resistance that they did in the late 1980s. Dartmouth has evolved to become a place where intellectualism is truly valued and appreciated. Current President James Wright has done an admirable job of maintaining the values that Freedman held so strongly. Since 1998, Wright has moved beyond what some characterized as a caretaker role to develop his own ideas and initiatives, but has done so in a way that has continued to support intellectualism on campus.
Perhaps the most important part of Freedman's legacy is that the current student body appreciates his vision and its resulting changes. We like Dartmouth in its current incarnation, criticisms on the Opinion page of The Dartmouth not withstanding. We value the atmosphere of debate and discussion that different personalities and opinions bring. And while we hold onto our "work hard, play hard" culture, it has become just one of the many aspects of our identity that makes Dartmouth special and unique.
At an American Jewish Community dinner in 2003, Freedman warned the attendees that without a strong diversity program, Americans will "fail to meet our own aspirations" as a society. It cannot be said, however, that Dartmouth has failed to meet his aspirations. By holding on to the values that Freedman cherished and promoted while President, Dartmouth has evolved in a way to meet his goals and make them those of his successors and much of the Dartmouth community. His death this past week highlights his achievements and serves as a further reminder that Dartmouth is an ever-changing place easily shaped by a clear and persevering vision.
