Original Article: http://dartreview.com/archives/2004/09/20/the_week_in_review.php
Monday, September 20, 2004
President McLaughlin Passes Away
David T. McLaughlin, class of 1954 and Tuck 1955, Dartmouth's President from 1981 to1987, died on August 25th during a fishing trip with his sons Bill and Jay and some Dartmouth classmates and friends. He was 72.
President Wright eulogized, "Mr. McLaughlin dedicated so much of his life and considerable energy to Dartmouth and its people. Truly a citizen of the world, he distinguished himself as a student, an athlete, a businessman, a trustee, and ultimately as president. We have lost a good friend of many years. His life was full, and, in the end, too short."
McLauglin was the fourteenth member of the Wheelock Succession and the last Dartmouth President to attend Dartmouth as an undergraduate. As a student, he excelled in academics, service activities, and athletics. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, President of his class as a junior, President of the Undergraduate Council, a member of both the Green Key service society and Casque and Gauntlet, and an Air Force ROTC cadet. As his class neared graduation, it awarded him the Barrett Cup, recognizing the senior "giving the greatest promise of becoming a factor in the outside world through his strength of character and qualities of leadership, record of scholarship, broad achievement and influence among his fellows."
A memorial service will be held in Rollins Chapel on October 4th.
Dartmouth Drops in Princeton Review 'Lots of Beer' Category; Quality of Beer Holds Steady
Dartmouth's position on the Princeton Review's widely cited college rankings decreased dramatically in this year's edition. The College appears in the top 10 schools in three categories, compared with eight spots on top 10 lists last year. According to the statistics, compiled through student surveys, Dartmouth students are fifth-happiest in the nation, eat the sixth-best food, and have the ninth-best quality of life. The College's academics rank only 20th-best nationally, though Dartmouth was listed as the 15th-toughest school to get into. Not surprisingly, given the administration's Greek policies, Dartmouth's rankings for 'Fraternity Life' and 'Quantity of Beer' each fell.
Welcome to the Ivy League
To complement the incoming class of 2008's required summer reading, Refuge by Terry Tempest Williams, the College suggested that they also see the laughably absurd blockbuster movie "The Day After Tomorrow." Based on the premise that global warming suddenly triggers a series of apocalyptic weather events that selectively wipe out the world's more prosperous countries, director Roland Emmerich's flick beats the audience over the head with environmental nonsense and atrocious dialogue. Lest the political leanings of the film be too subtle, a Dick Cheney look-alike is featured as the power-hungry and ignorant vice president. At least the College still appreciates comedy.
Howard Dean Nurses Post-Dean Hangover
Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean, the former Democrat presidential candidate, served as a Nelson Rockefeller distinguished visiting fellow at the College over the summer. Dean managed to visit campus six times. According to reports from those present at his appearances, he spent much of his time at Dartmouth meeting with students and touting the Internet advocacy group based on his campaign's erstwhile organization.
Student Nurses Post-Dean Hangover, Votes Kerry
Describing herself as a recovering Dean supporter, Sarah Ayres '06 served as a New Hampshire delegate to the Democratic National Convention, where she reluctantly placed her vote for Massachusetts Senator John Kerry. She undoubtedly got the thrill of her lifetime when her idol Dean, noticing that an MTV camera was following her, told her that she was "going to be a famous person." That's what it's all about, really.
The Triumph of the Human Spirit, and All That
Dartmouth sent two sons and one daughter to compete in the Athens Olympic Games this summer. Kristen Luckenbill '01 won a gold medal as the backup goalkeeper on the United States' winning women's soccer team. Adam Nelson '97 won a silver medal, his second Olympic medal, in the shot put competition. After being called for a foul on his first shot when his foot left the throwing circle, Mr. Nelson threw for the greatest distance on his second attempt but nevertheless lost the overall competition to Ukrainian Yuriy Bilonog. Also, Benjie Lewis '05 competed in men's flatwater sprint kayaking, where he advanced to the semifinals.