As a first-year student in fall 2010, Amanda M. Spoto ’14, MALS’16, was crossing campus late one evening on a pre-orientation pizza quest when they stumbled upon the “Sun God,” mid-performance.
A stretchy black bodysuit hugged his slim frame. He wore a celestial white-and-gold mask with the sun’s rays shooting out of it. A billowy black cape draped around his shoulders. He had a speaker secured to his belt that provided music to accompany his movements. Mozart echoed across the Green.
“Spo!”—as Amanda is more commonly known—had serendipitously happened upon one of the most recognizable characters at Dartmouth, a man known all over campus for his dramatic persona as well as his tricked out, dual-exhaust car with “SUNGOD” license plates. Spo! asked him for directions. Instead of pointing the way, the Sun God valiantly walked them to the destination.
Their paths crossed again at the Homecoming bonfire. Coincidence? No, as the towering flames flickered into the night sky, it felt more like a cosmic nudge. Conversation turned into connection; connection turned into dating. Their partnership soon became inevitable.
The pair were married on October 13, 2019, and, in contrast with the Sun God’s larger-than-life presence on campus, they settled into a steady life building professional careers. The couple divides their time between New York City, New Jersey, Connecticut, and the Upper Valley. The Sun God (Jonathan Recor, MALS’11) works in financial risk and controls strategy for a major global bank in New York City. Spo! is a lawyer at a N.Y.C. law firm, specializing in commercial litigation and intellectual property enforcement.
For Valentine’s Day, DAM caught up with Spo! and the Sun God by email to learn about their passion for one another and their alma mater.
How would you explain the Sun God to alumni who aren’t familiar?
The Sun God began as a playful expression of Dartmouth spirit and eventually became the foundation of my MALS creative writing thesis—part campus cheerleader, part whimsical superhero, part living art project. Through time, it evolved into a symbol of joy, inclusivity, and shared warmth. The mission has always been simple: make people smile and bring a little light—both literal and figurative—to Hanover.
The Sun God’s car is hard to miss. How do you get such great parking spots?
Equal parts optimism, solar energy, and strategic timing. When your chariot brings light to the people, the parking gods occasionally take notice. (Also, I arrive early.)
Spo!, how was meeting the Sun God like a cosmic nudge?
Coming from a deeply blue-collar background and suddenly finding myself at Dartmouth, I experienced real culture shock. At 18, I didn’t feel at home on Staten Island, where I grew up, or on campus. There was always an inner part of me that was theatrical and creative, but it was muted—dulled by doubt and a fear of judgment. Encountering someone who showed up as their full, authentic self resonated with me in a way I didn’t even know I needed.
Spo!, what is it like being married to the Sun God?
It’s never boring—in the best possible way. There’s a lot of laughter, creativity, and a shared belief that life is meant to be lived fully. Behind the Sun God persona is someone thoughtful, grounded, and deeply loyal—and that’s who I get to come home to. We’re equally quirky, goofy, and stubborn, which helps. Most importantly, we laugh—at ourselves and with each other—and that’s been essential to everything we’ve built together.
Spo!, you were a competitive athlete at Dartmouth. How did that shape your experience?
Athletics were a grounding force for me at Dartmouth. I participated on several varsity, club, and intramural teams. Being a student-athlete instilled discipline, resilience, and teamwork. Balancing a rigorous academic curriculum with an intense training schedule gave my days structure and purpose. The relationships I built—especially with my rugby teammates—fostered a deep sense of trust and belonging that has endured well beyond college. That grit carried me through law school and bar preparation, both of which felt like endurance sports.
With Valentine’s Day in mind, what do you love about each other?
Sun God: Spo! has a rare balance of strength and warmth. They challenge me, support me, and somehow make every space better just by being there.
Spo!: John brings light wherever he goes. His creativity, humor, and generosity of spirit are constant. He cares deeply—about people, community, and purpose—and that sincerity is incredibly rare.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
We love exploring the Upper Valley and New Jersey, hiking, trying new restaurants, attending drag shows, and supporting local events. I spend time developing Sun God projects and creative philanthropic ideas, while Spo! reads, writes, mentors, and brings their competitive edge to every adventure we take on together.
If you could change one thing about Dartmouth, what would it be?
We’d love to see even more spaces dedicated to student creativity—places where art, music, engineering, performance, and expression can collide. Dartmouth is full of extraordinary talent; giving that creativity more room to grow only deepens connection, collaboration, and community.
Best date night in Hanover?
We love having evening picnics on the Green with the sound of Baker Tower’s bells echoing softly across campus. Sometimes we’ll order Ramunto’s pizza or Sushiya sushi to savor under the open sky, then wander hand in hand over to Molly’s for dessert. Spo! will occasionally stop by Pine for a glass of wine. It’s classic, cozy, and unmistakably Dartmouth.
