Views From the Green: Getting Started

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With official ceremonies like Twilight and informal gatherings as well, the Dartmouth community celebrated the start of the academic year.

Classes started this week and were ushered in by Twilight and matriculation ceremonies on Sunday.

Members of the Class of 2026 and other new students also attended an open house at Baker-Berry Library on Friday, among other activities, while the Thayer School of Engineering had an orientation lunch for students, faculty, and staff. 

On Monday, a community-wide lunch was held on the Green, with President Philip J. Hanlon ’77 and Gail Gentes helping to serve hot dogs and hamburgers, as they have in past years.

And members of the Arts and Sciences faculty and staff gathered for a reception late Monday afternoon at the Top of the Hop.

Photos
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Glowing candles raised in the air
New students hold candles aloft as part of Twilight on Sunday evening. The ceremony marks the end of orientation, as classes started on Monday. (Photo by Julia Levine ’23)
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David Millman speaking at a podium on Collis porch
Student Government President David Millman ’23 welcomes students at the start of the Twilight ceremony Sunday evening outside Collis. (Photo by Eli Burakian ’00)
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Students walking up and down stairs in Parkhurst
Members of the Class of 2026 cycle through the president’s office in Parkhurst Hall as part of the matriculation ceremony. (Photo by Eli Burakian ’00)
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President Hanlon speaks to students during matriculation
President Philip J. Hanlon ’77 meets in his office with members of the South Fayerweather residence hall on Sunday during matriculation. (Photo by Eli Burakian ’00)
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Students walk across campus at dusk holding candles
Members of the Class of 2026 march across the Green toward the Bema as part of Twilight. (Photo by Eli Burakian ’00)
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Students walking and smiling holding lit candles
Students at Twilight enjoy the ceremony. (Photo by Julia Levine ’23)
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Students in the BEMA at night with the glow of candles
Twilight is celebrated at the Bema on Sunday evening. (Photo by Eli Burakian ’00)
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Anthony Fosu speaking to the Class of 2026 at BEMA
Anthony Fosu ’24 offers remarks of reflection as part of Twilight. (Photo by Eli Burakian ’00)
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The Hanlons serving food to a line of Dartmouth community members
President Philip J. Hanlon ’77 and his wife Gail Gentes serve hamburgers and hot dogs during the community-wide Dartmouth cookout on Monday. In between them is Dartmouth Dining worker Brett Wilson, and to President Hanlon’s right is Athletics Director Mike Harrity. (Photo by Katie Lenhart)
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The Green covered in tables and people eating and chatting
Staff, students, and faculty enjoy the community cookout Monday afternoon on the Green to celebrate the start of the new school year. (Photo by Katie Lenhart)
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Students operating a printing press
Benna McDermott ’26 takes a turn on the Vandercook SP20 Proofing Press in the Book Arts Workshop as Caitlin Fitzmaurice ’26, left, and Claire O’Flynn ’26 look on during an open house for new students on Friday at Baker-Berry Library. (Photo by Katie Lenhart)
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PeiPei Soeung pinning a map
Kushal Jayakumar watches PeiPei Soeung ’26 pin her hometown on a global map during the Baker-Berry Library open house. (Photo by Katie Lenhart)
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Arts & Sciences faculty reception
Alfia Rakova, a research assistant professor, speaks with colleagues at a reception for Arts and Sciences faculty and staff at the Top of the Hop on Monday. (Photo by Eli Burakian ’00)
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Thayer students enjoying lunch on the patio
Thayer students, faculty, and staff at an orientation lunch last week. (Photo by Katie Lenhart)