The event, described as a "meet and greet," allowed students to share with the governor the issues most important to them, according to Ryan Tincher '12, president of the College Democrats.
"It wasn't a campaign stop, and he wasn't here to tell people to vote for him," Tincher said. "He was here to talk to and hear from Dartmouth students."
Lynch described the indirect path he took to the governor's office, which included a stint as director of admissions at Harvard Business School after being completely uninterested in business during college. He emphasized the importance of following one's passions.
"It doesn't matter what you major in, as long as you major in something you enjoy," Lynch told students. "Chances are, in 40 years, you'll be doing something different than what you think you want to do right now. So, don't worry about it."
Lynch said he worked to lower the high school dropout rate across the state during his terms as governor.
"At a time when high school dropout rates are at epidemic levels [nationwide], we cut our high school dropout rate in half, and now our high school dropout rate in New Hampshire is 1.7 percent," Lynch said. "Just think of the students in high school who were given the opportunity to live better lives, get better jobs and go on to higher education if that's what they want to do."
In response to a question regarding his plans for New Hampshire's $70 million surplus, Lynch said that the state will continue to operate efficiently and save funds.
"The plan is to keep [the surplus] as sort of a rainy day fund in case we need it going forward," he said.
Max Yoeli '12, Kappa Kappa Kappa social chair and co-chair of the Student Assembly's Alcohol Harm Reduction Committee, used Lynch's visit as a chance to speak to the governor about the accomplishments and challenges related to combatting binge drinking and sexual assault on campus, especially as they relate to Greek letter organizations, he said.
"Governor Lynch asked me what issues I thought were important on campus, and I think the biggest social issues on campus are drinking and sexual assault," Yoeli told The Dartmouth. "I figured if I had two minutes with the governor, I would speak to him about what is near to my heart."
Lynch also held a small discussion with members of the College Democrats, where students discussed concerns regarding health care reform and the state budget. Other students discussed concerns over a possible repeal of marriage equality laws in the event of a Republican legislative takeover and asked Lynch for his perspective on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
Although New Hampshire's unemployment rate has fallen to 5.5 percent well below the national average of 9.6 percent Lynch said work still needs to be done.
"I am not resting until everyone who wants a job in New Hampshire gets a job in New Hampshire," he said.
Lynch said he is not focused on the fact that he is running for an unprecedented fourth term as New Hampshire governor, but instead is making his service to the state a top priority.
"What matters is that we need to continue to make progress through these tough times," Lynch said in an interview with The Dartmouth.
Lynch used the story of his close 2004 race against then-incumbent Governor Craig Benson, R-N.H., to encourage students to embrace challenges. Benson, a multi-millionaire, had spent more on his campaign than any candidate in state history, and at the time Lynch was running, a first-time incumbent had never been beaten by a candidate of the opposing party, Lynch said.
"Take risks with whatever you choose to do or whatever opportunities are presented to you," Lynch said. "You never know what's going to work out."
Susan Lynch, the first lady of New Hampshire, spoke about her commitment to children's rights and combatting childhood obesity in the state.
State Senator Matthew Houde '91, Rep. David Pierce and Executive Assistant to the Governor Jamie Richardson '06 also attended the function and gave brief remarks.
