Faculty, alumni and students expressed pride in having an alumnus as the next College leader and confidence in College President Phil Hanlon's ability to push Dartmouth forward.
In his inaugural address on Friday, Hanlon announced a new Society of Fellows program and an innovation center to offer resources for student entrepreneurs during the combined ceremony for his inauguration and convocation on Sept. 20. The 18th president in the Wheelock Succession focused on the lifelong value of a strong undergraduate education and addressed issues of sexual assault and binge drinking, calling on students to strengthen the community.
Alumni Association president John Daukas '84 said Hanlon is ready to effect change while preserving the College's character.
"One thing I think about them is he's certainly ready to start moving and taking action in getting things done," Daukas said of Hanlon's initiatives.
Hanlon emphasized that he would protect the quality and focus of undergraduate education at Dartmouth, which has been a concern in the past.
Lou Spelios '95, president-elect of the Alumni Council, was among graduates hoping for the 18th president to come from within their ranks. Hanlon's status as an alumnus is a point of pride for many former students.
"The combination of looking back and really honoring the traditions of this place and really thinking about Dartmouth's place in the 21st century, I thought was very well delivered and very well taken," Spelios said of the inaugural address.
Daukas noted that binge drinking and sexual assault are common to most colleges and was glad to see Hanlon address campus concerns.
"I think he wants to make sure that Dartmouth is a leader in trying to solve these problems," he said.
Spelios said he appreciates that Hanlon is making these topics part of his first-year agenda.
"I think having it in the open and making it part of our collective conversation with alumni, with students, with faculty is going to be one of the roads to addressing what issues do exist," he said.
Hanlon spoke about new technology and the importance of technological innovation in education.
Computer science department chair Thomas Cormen said that while Hanlon has not announced specific plans for technological innovations on campus, he would not be surprised by decisions to implement more technology in the classroom such recordings of lectures or online course offerings, which have been recent trends in higher education.
The innovation center will be a valuable resource to students, especially since many first-years may already have entrepreneurial aspirations.
"Some of my colleagues have reported that when they met with their first-year advisees, they had questions about entrepreneurship," he said. "I think going forward we're probably going to see more students with more entrepreneurial ventures and more ways to innovate. Our students are incredibly creative and very clever and they are going to be coming up with ideas that even the faculty couldn't dream of."
While the computer science department already has post-doctoral fellows, funded externally, the fellows program will aid the department and especially those without current graduate programs, Cormen said. Not only will the fellows bring new intellectual energy to campus, but they will be taught by Dartmouth faculty, which Cormen said will make them good teachers.
Members of the Class of 2017 received a welcome from Hanlon during his address for their first convocation.
Ben Weinstock '17 said he appreciated that Hanlon came to the College with a platform and defined ideas for his tenure.
A strong showing of alumni attended the inauguration, in part because it coincided with this year's class officers weekend.
Chuck Sherman '66 said the fellowship program will be "very positive" for the College and better than presence of graduate students.
"This is the second inauguration I have been to in four years and I hope it's the last one in a while," he added.
Kaja Fickes '95 said she felt privileged to be in Hanover for Hanlon's inauguration and agreed with Hanlon's statements on Dartmouth's strong community and its importance to the College.
Henry Nachman '51, who has seen six presidents pass through the College, said Hanlon fits the mold.
"I think Dartmouth got the right guy this time," Nachman said.
Alan Epstein '47 called the inauguration memorable and impressive.
"The weather is an indication of a bright future in the coming years," he said.
Staff writer Sean Connolly contributed reporting.
