Not to depress you or anything, but the majority of Dartmouth's most famous alumni are, well, dead. Or worse, fictional. So we can't really know for sure what they would miss most about Dartmouth, or if they would even miss it at all, but when has a little thing like that ever stopped the publication of a Mirror article? We asked some of our favorite alums fictional and dead what they missed most about their college days since they left Dartmouth.
"Well, neighbor, there was nothing quite like coming back to Mid-Mass after a long day, unbuttoning my blazer, taking off my black shoes, lacing up my tennis shoes and then putting on one of my many zip-up cardigans." Fred Rogers '50, host of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood"
"The beautiful scenery. And that's about it. I was only there for two months, which was how long it took me to discover that sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason. To be honest, I think Dartmouth misses me more than I miss it." Robert Frost, Class of 1896, poet laureate
"I miss the lively debates we used to have over important issues like federalism, the potential of Southern secession and British impressment of American sailors. No doubt these issues still affect America today! Regardless, the College, despite its location in the middle of the wilderness, remains quite dear to my heart. And it helped me win a career-defining court case, which is nothing to sneeze at, either." Daniel Webster, Class of 1801, constitutional lawyer and U.S. senator
"Whenever I kneaded a break from the bustle of campus life, I would take a walk in the quiet neighborhoods of Hanover and admire the quaint houses and lovely flours. Although I've long since graduated and am now on a roll, raking in the dough, I still consider myself a Dartmouth man, born and bread." Arthur Pillsbury, Class of 1863, founder of Pillsbury Flour
"I miss the beautiful woods of Dartmouth, filled as they were with majestic red pines (Pinus resinosa), firs (Abies balsamea), oaks (Quercus alba) and maples (Acer saccharum). See also Hanover, Appalachian Mountains, Connecticut River Valley." Warren Preece '43, general editor of Encyclopedia Britannica
"I'll be straight with you. I only went to Dartmouth because they made me an offer I couldn't refuse." Michael Corleone '49, titular character in "The Godfather" (1972)
"The best thing about Dartmouth was that it prepared me for my life's work. You think Hanover is bad? Try exploring Oregon Territory. Vox clamantis in deserto, indeed." John Ball, Class of 1820, explorer of Oregon Territory
"What do I miss about Dartmouth? Not a thing. Do you know what it's like to be a legacy when your father founded the entire damn school? It's not easy. And do you know what it's like to succeed him as president? That's no piece of cake, either. If I have to hear one more "daddy's boy" joke ... And then I get Daniel Webster breathing down my neck with this Dartmouth v. Woodward" nonsense. That's it. I'm done. Good riddance." John Wheelock, Class of 1771, son of Dartmouth College founder Eleazar Wheelock and second Dartmouth president
"The most gratifying thing about my Dartmouth experience was writing "Men of Dartmouth." It's so wonderful to write a song that will be enduring, beloved and not at all controversial. It is also most special to know that it will continue to be sung unchanged long after I am gone." Richard Hovey, Class of 1885, poet and writer of "Men of Dartmouth" (the Alma Mater's original title)
"What I miss most about Dartmouth is the manner in which I left it fashioning my own dugout canoe and paddling it down river to Hartford, Conn. At most schools, I would be a forgotten embarrassment to the institution. At Dartmouth, they proudly named the Ledyard Canoe Club after me, which just goes to show you that Dartmouth isn't quite like other schools." John Ledyard, Class of 1775, explorer and adventurer
"My best memory was being named valedictorian of the Class of 1807, but then I suppose it was superseded by my appointment to The United States Military Academy at West Point by my good friend Tom Jefferson maybe you know him? Oh, but you mustn't think me big-headed just because my face is on a U.S. postage stamp and the military named an award after me and because I helped found two academies named after myself. I'm just like all you normal people, I'm sure." Colonel and Brevet Brigadier General Sylvanus Thayer, Class of 1807, known as the "Father of West Point"
"A Dartmouth memory dearest me!Let's think what might my fondest be?Things were so different me oh my,Prohibition made the campus dry.And though Dean Laycock called it sin,I proudly drank illegal gin.True, getting caught was not so fun,It meant my Jack-O days were done.But thanks to my famous pseudonym,Old Laycock found I'd out-foxed him.Those were the days, those days of fun,I'd wish the same for anyone.But what difference is it, then or now?Dartmouth's still Dartmouth, anyhow!"Theodor Geisel '25, Dr. Seuss
