Older and Wiser
So much attention has been paid to Don Rains ’13 that he hopes each interview will be his last. As a 45-year-old freshman Ivy Leaguer born to a heroin- addict mother later murdered by her boyfriend, however, that’s unlikely. There’s also the story line about his rediscovery in recent years of both his Native American roots and his artistic talent, two things he will continue to pursue as a student. Now living in Sachem Village, Rains is inspired by his neighbors. “It’s similar to an Olympic Village,” he says. “It’s so international. And I love being surrounded by intellectuals.” Rains sees himself as more of a mentor than a peer to other students. He decided not to participate in a freshman trip because he didn’t want to violate “the intimacy of my classmates’ age bracket,” he says. “I had the equivalent of my first college experience when I joined the Navy at 18. I understand that age group and that they find fun in their newfound freedom.” Instead of racing through degree requirements, Rains intends to graduate with his class. “I want to walk across the stage with my classmates,” he says—as a 49-year-old senior.

Back To Iowa
The immensely popular—and effective—dean of the College, Tom Crady, announced suddenly in June that he was leaving his job for family reasons. Crady, who spent 25 years at Grinnell College in Iowa prior to coming to Hanover, said he would be returning to the Hawkeye State to engage in “a series of new projects.” Sylvia Spears, director of the Office of Pluralism and Leadership, has been named acting dean.

Down Goes Brewster
Workers demolished Brewster Hall, a former dorm, in mid-August to make room for the new Visual Arts Center. The building, constructed in 1938 to house Hanover Inn employees, had also been home to Epsilon Kappa Theta sorority and the International House through the years. Said Dean of Residential Life Martin Redman: “There’s a lot of history that’s coming down with these bricks.”

His Day Has Come
With his extended family in the front rows and featuring speakers ranging from New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch, trustee ex officio, to best friend Paul Farmer, President Jim Yong Kim officially took the reins of the College September 22. Describing Kim as “inspiring” and “focused,” students, faculty and alumni alike said they were impressed not only by the content of Kim’s speech—a call to obtain an education that can be used to solve the world’s problems—but also by his delivery. Many mentioned the “joyous” feeling of a day punctuated by student performances and a solo rendition of “Take Care of This House” by Heidi Kim, sister of the president. “There is so much good will,” said Jim Wooster ’59, Th’60, Tu’60, one of many local alums among the crowd of 5,000. “I liked hearing about President Kim as a person,” said Crishuana Williams ’12. “He was engaging,” said Bianca Cole ’12. “I want to go to his office hours.” “That he spoke to the practicality of the humanities was important,” said art history professor Kathleen Corrigan. “It’s a good place to begin.”

Helping Hands
A young Iraqi burn victim brought to the United States by the Maryland-based foundation Hope M.D. will soon be returning home after a series of pro bono operations performed at DHMC by pediatric surgeon Dr. Mitchell Stotland, Adv’07. Now 22 months old, the girl arrived in Hanover in June, seven months after suffering third-degree burns over much of her upper body in an explosion of unknown origin in her neighborhood. Getting the child here despite obstacles imposed by the military was almost as difficult as the surgeries, say Hope M.D. volunteers. Foundation co-founder Jon Heavey ’98, an Army surgeon who served in Iraq and is now completing his tour of duty at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., initiated contact with Dartmouth by reaching out to student activities director Linda Kennedy. The child has been comforted by her mother while staying in the home of two College employees: Amin Plaisted, a senior programmer, and his wife, Nahid Tabatabai, a research associate in the economics department.

New Trustees Named
In June the board added two charter trustees, Denise Dupre ’80 and William W. Helman IV ’80. Dupre, an economics major, is an adjunct professor at Harvard University Extension and the oldest of four sisters who attended Dartmouth. Helman, who majored in history and economics, is a partner with Greylock, a venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley.

Happy Feet
Men’s soccer got off to a great start this season, posting a 5-2-1 record through September. Ranked as high as fifth nationally early on, the team didn’t give up a goal through its first four games. Freshman goalkeeper Sean Donovan ’12 was named the Ivy League Co-Rookie of the Week following his efforts in a shutout of UConn, another top-20 team. Heading into October Ivy League play, the team was ranked 18th. “I think we’ll be a dangerous opponent,” said coach Jeff Cook.

Pillow Talk
Meet the Sexperts, a group of 90 students who have undergone extensive training to advise fellow students on the most intimate of topics. Some, such as Adi Rattner ’10, a premed major from Baltimore, plan on careers in reproductive health. “This program allows students to discuss healthy sexuality and ways to minimize risk when one becomes sexually active,” says Kari Jo Grant, coordinator of health education programs.“It’s good to have these conversations in the daytime because generally students get together for sex at night after alcohol has been consumed,” adds Sexpert Elizabeth Howland ’11, an anthropology major. “That’s not the time to be figuring out how to put on a condom correctly.”

Centuries of Service
The 10 current Dartmouth employees who’ve worked on campus longer than anyone else have a combined 411 years at the College (as of August). All of them have been working here since the class of 1969 matriculated.