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September 5, 2008
Dear Members of the Dartmouth Community,
I am pleased to announce new appointments to the Dartmouth Board of Trustees.
Five distinguished alumni, who have devoted many years of service to the College, were elected to the Board this week:
These individuals bring a breadth of skills and perspectives that will further strengthen the Board's capacity to steward and support Dartmouth's mission (see news release with bios).
These individuals meet specific needs of the College identified by the Board in its governance review last year (see report, "Governance Recommendations to Maintain the College's Preeminent Role in Higher Education").
They have demonstrated professional leadership and expertise in medicine and biotechnology, public service and non-profit governance, real estate and international management - all areas of critical importance to the College. The group includes both men and women, and alumni from a wide range of classes spanning from 1962 to 1982. And, they add to the Board two alumni who also received a degree from a professional school (Tuck) at Dartmouth.
Importantly, these new Trustees are not only distinguished in their various professional fields, they also have long records of commitment, involvement and service to the College. Among many other contributions, they have been officers for their classes, served on reunion committees, supported Dartmouth's fundraising efforts, participated as members of the Alumni Council, and have been recognized with honorary degrees. They all share a passionate devotion and commitment to Dartmouth.
When the Board voted last fall to expand its membership by adding more charter Trustees, we heard from alumni who were enthusiastic about the changes, and from alumni who expressed concerns about the plan. The changes were driven by our belief that this was the best way to meet the needs of the College and bring to the Board additional talented alumni of the caliber and skills of the new Trustees elected today. We also had concerns - as I know many of you do - about the increasing rancor and divisiveness of alumni elections. As the Board recommended last fall, we believe elections can be improved by instituting a fairer, one-person, one-vote system, while preserving the petition process. And, this summer, we have been actively engaged in discussions with the Alumni Council and the new leadership of the Association of Alumni on the need for reforms to the process for electing alumni-nominated Trustees to the Board.
During this dialogue, the new leadership of the Association has raised the hope that more alumni-nominated Trustees could be added to the Board in the future, assuming that these reforms prove successful in addressing the issues identified by the Board last fall. We will continue discussions with the leadership of the Association and the Council on how to provide the best governance system with alumni participation as an essential component.
This past year has been an impressive one for Dartmouth. The College experienced the largest pool of applicants in its history. The incoming Class of 2012 is one of our most talented and diverse groups ever. We were able to provide financial aid, averaging $33,315 per scholarship, to nearly 47 percent of the incoming class. And, we also had a record fundraising year, bringing the Campaign for the Dartmouth Experience within $200 million of its $1.3 billion goal.
Of course, Dartmouth is an institution that must never stand still.
So, as the beginning of another academic year approaches, the Board is excited about continuing to work with President Jim Wright and all of the College's alumni, faculty, staff and students to carry Dartmouth forward. Alumni support and involvement are critical factors in that effort. Thank you all for your continued passion and involvement with Dartmouth.
Sincerely,
Ed Haldeman '70
Chair, Dartmouth College Board of Trustees
