A Year of New Beginnings

Dear colleagues, 

It was wonderful to see so many of you at our annual Arts and Sciences reception. Gathering together reminded me that our close-knit community here at Dartmouth remains one of our greatest institutional strengths.

Based on my observations at the Shared Academic Experience, our first-year students share my excitement for the year ahead, even as they navigate an especially complicated time in our nation's history. Thanks to all of you, I know we will deliver a liberal arts education second to none that will engage students in our academic community and foster critical inquiry, collaboration, and ethical action. 

Looking towards this new academic year, we have several exciting institutional milestones and projects to look forward to.

Dartmouth Hall Reopening and Three Landmark 50th Anniversaries

Following a $25 million renovation made possible by the largest alumnae-led fundraising campaign in Dartmouth's history, our iconic Dartmouth Hall will welcome back several foreign language programs and become the new home of the Leslie Center for the Humanities this fall. The robust renovation includes state-of-the-art technology, new energy-efficient systems, and enhanced accessibility. Faculty will begin to move into the hall in a few weeks. 

On Nov. 11, our trustees will join us in celebrating the donors and planning, design, and construction teams who made this renovation a reality. This event will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of coeducation at the College, with an open house of Dartmouth Hall's new permanent gallery that showcases the history of women at Dartmouth. 

This fall we will also continue to celebrate two additional momentous 50th anniversaries: the establishment of what is now known as the Native American and Indigenous Studies Department (NAIS) and the founding of the Black Alumni of Dartmouth Association. 

Thanks to the leadership of Professor Bruce Duthu and his colleagues in NAIS, poet Heid Erdrich '86 will return to campus this term to teach a special iteration of a core class, Perspectives in Native American Studies, in celebration of both coeducation at Dartmouth and the founding of NAIS. Several native women alumni leaders will join this celebratory class as guest lecturers.

Faculty Recruitment 

Our associate deans and I approved 19 faculty searches for the coming year. As you know, Chris Strenta, our former associate dean for finance and operations, stepped down from his position last month and a search for his successor is underway. 

Faculty Development, Diversity, and Inclusion

Faculty development, diversity, and inclusion continues to be a major priority for my office. I'm pleased to share that we authorized eight searches in areas that strengthen research and teaching related to racial, cultural, and religious diversity.

I am grateful that the departments and programs hosting these searches champion our commitment to inclusive excellence. I also want to thank Michelle Warren, our senior advisor for faculty development, diversity, and inclusion, for her continued leadership.

My office will be partnering with the Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity to create more programming opportunities for faculty of color. Additionally, pilot programs that were successful last year will continue, including a pre-tenure women's faculty group and a STEM DEI arts and sciences group that brings together representatives from all eight science departments. 

Arts and Sciences Communications

You may have noticed that our new faculty and staff newsletter, Inside Arts and Sciences, appeared in your inbox on Friday. The newsletter results from feedback many of you shared with our new director of communications for Arts and Sciences, Simone Silverbush, including those of you who participated in a communications survey in June. 

Communications priorities this year include showcasing the breadth of our scholarship and programs and making important information for faculty and staff more accessible, including updates from Arts and Sciences committees.

Hopkins Center Renovation

Near the end of fall term The Hop will close to undergo an historic $90 million transformation that will create not only a hub for the arts in the Upper Valley but also a state-of-the-art home for our theater and music departments. 

The renowned design firm Snøhetta will lead the expansion and redesign, which will open up extraordinary opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration and performances; and meet the growing demand of faculty and students for artistic expression and experiences. 

We expect the fully renovated Hopkins Center to reopen in the fall of 2025. In the meantime, I encourage you to read more about its spectacular planned transformation.

Arts and Sciences Reorganization Project 

As many of you know, President Hanlon charged me with leading an exploration of the structure of the Arts and Sciences at Dartmouth. This work will examine both our organizational structure and budget model. Our goal is to support the work of our faculty and staff more effectively, while  enhancing the holistic educational experience that best supports our students now and into the future. 

Over the summer an executive committee of leaders from across campus and two working groups (Organizational Structure and Governance and Budget) were formed and began to develop guiding principles and models for consideration. Arts and Sciences faculty are participating in these groups, and additional faculty working groups will begin evaluating models this fall. Over the course of this academic year you will hear regular status updates from me, and there will be many opportunities for you to engage with this process. 

At this moment of global tumult, historic community transitions, and profound cultural change, Dartmouth will create opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and growth. The time is right to pursue a new model for a new era. 

Welcoming President-Elect Sian Leah Beilock

In July President Hanlon will be succeeded by President-Elect Sian Leah Beilock, Dartmouth's first elected female president in its more than 250-year history. I've had the opportunity to interact with Sian on several occasions and I can assure you that she cares deeply about supporting faculty. She has also already expressed a keen interest in the Arts and Sciences reorganization project and is actively engaging as a thought partner. 

This will be a year of momentous new beginnings. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with our senior leadership team and faculty committees, and to hearing your ongoing insights and ideas. I also want to express my sincere gratitude to all of the staff whose dedication and support enables us to maintain the highest levels of scholarship and teaching. 

I wish you all a fall term and academic year filled with the joy of collaboration, creativity, and community. 

With gratitude,

Elizabeth F. Smith
Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences