With no updates from our classmates this column, President Phil Hanlon swept in with some perfect timing. The day before this column was due, he announced the Call to Lead campaign with a dramatic email buildup that you likely received.

At my office Friday afternoon I hypothesized with a few alumni colleagues about what the announcement could be. In reality it was much more straightforward than our far-flung ideas of what Phil had up his sleeve—perhaps they had maxed out on academic rigor once we left? The initiative is more aligned with the regular to-dos of a college, with a big financial goal fit for alumni who pride themselves on bleeding green.

To quote Phil, “The Call to Lead gets to the very core of our purpose: to offer students a life-changing model of education where they learn from leading scholars, to support faculty who are conducting research that expands human knowledge, and to immerse our students in a vibrant environment that develops their mind and character and prepares them to be tomorrow’s leaders.” This initiative coincides with Dartmouth’s 250th year, and the community has been busy fundraising, having met almost half of the proclaimed goal of $3 billion.

To get involved, learn more, or see if you took classes with any of the professors who are featured in the 45-second video, visit www.calltolead.dartmouth.edu.

Happy almost-250th anniversary friends!

—Samantha Webster, 665 Washington St., Apt. 711, Boston, MA 02111; (484) 356-3678; samwweb15@gmail.com