"When I was first asked, there were other things in the wind," Kim said in his speech, hinting at another opportunity, which he called a "complicated" job in "very big city down South."
Kim told the students, alumni, faculty and staff gathered on the Green that it was his belief in the ability of Dartmouth students to take on global problems broader than those of his own work that led him to forgo those other career possibilities.
"It's a gamble for me but it's a gamble that I took knowing that we were going to win," Kim said, referencing his confidence in the potential of the College's students.
Since being announced as Dartmouth's 17th president, Kim has met with alumni, students and faculty, which he said has allowed him to understand the special bond that the College fosters.
"I was convinced that if I could do a good job, we together as a community would do things the likes of which the world has never seen," Kim said in his speech, adding later, "Every single [member of the Class of 2011] can change the world, and indeed must change the world and make it a better place."
In an address at the Tuck School of Business earlier in the day on Wednesday, Kim said he believes that Dartmouth offers the best undergraduate education in the world, pointing to the College's commitment to need blind admissions for all applicants as one of the College's particular strengths. Need blind admissions were extended to include international students in January 2008.
"What if Dartmouth was a destination school for the top students in Africa, Asia?" Kim asked in his speech at Tuck.
Kim said that communication between students and faculty in Hanover and those working in other areas of the world should be a priority, adding that he would like to encourage students, faculty and alumni studying, researching and working across the globe to communicate with students on campus.
During his first day in office, Kim toured the Thayer Engineering School, Tuck School and various undergraduate academic departments and laboratories, in addition to meeting with faculty, staff and students.
Provost Barry Scherr told The Dartmouth that he believed Kim's first day "went very well," citing the high attendance at events throughout the day.
"What's been important about today is that he got to shake hands with over 100 people," Scherr said.
Student Body Summer President Karen Doster '11 and 2011 Class Council President Alex Maceda '11 introduced Kim to the crowd gathered on the Green on Wednesday afternoon, encouraging the Class of 2011 to work to welcome Kim to campus.
After Kim's remarks, Student Body Vice President Cory Cunningham '10 presented Kim with the Visions Report, a document that the Assembly compiled over the Spring term that includes reports from various student organizations and undergraduates.
"We hope this will provide Kim with a great foundation," Cunninham said to the audience. Cunningham is a member of The Dartmouth Senior Business Staff.
Kim, who joked that students had already begun to give him "homework" as he accepted the report, closed the event by saying he hoped the Dartmouth community could continue to meet on the Green "on a regular basis."
