Off to a Great Start

Convocation, orientation make first-years feel at home

Gathering at Leede Arena on a surprisingly warm September 19 morning, the Dartmouth community extended an official welcome to the Class of 2010 at Convocation exercises opening the College's 237th year. Presided over by Provost Barry Scherr, speakers were President James Wright, Juan Carlos Navarro '83, the mayor of Panama City, Panama, and Timothy Andreadis '07, student body president. Richard Crocker, College chaplain and assistant dean of the Tucker Foundation, opened the ceremony with a prayer. Convocation, traditionally a formal event, was preceded by a range of informal activities and gatherings designed to immerse the incoming first-years in the Dartmouth experience. There were First Year Trips, a dinner at the President's house, and a range of orientation activities designed to give the first-years the best start possible. And after convocation, the Wrights hosted their traditional community cookout on Tuck Mall. 

The class itself, 1,081 strong, is composed of 523 men and 558 women who were selected from the largest applicant pool in Dartmouth's history. A total of 13,938 students applied for admission to the College, up 9.2 percent from the previous year. The entering students come to Dartmouth with exceptional academic credentials and represent one of the most diverse classes ever, hailing from 803 secondary schools in 48 of the 50 states. They also come from 27 different countries and speak 30 different languages. Students of color comprise 31 percent of the class; international students 7 percent. They bring a rich array of backgrounds, interests, talents, and aspirations. Academically, 41 percent intend to major in science, 32 percent are interested in pursuing a social science major, 18 percent are interested in pursuing the humanities, and 9 percent indicate an interest in interdisciplinary studies.

Forty-six percent of the Class of 2010 is receiving need-based scholarships from Dartmouth, totaling $14 million.

By LAUREL STAVIS and MARIA LASKARIS

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