Hi! I'm Lauren, a '26 interested in biological anthropology, classics, and global health! Originally from Long Island, NY, I grew up spending every free moment swimming in the ocean. Going to college in NH was a shift away from that; however, I frequent the CT River during the warm seasons! Outside of academics, I am a tour guide and am involved in paleoanthropology research, Global Health Fellows, Camp Kesem, and First Year Trips. I can't wait to share my Dartmouth experience with you!
Academic Program
Anthropology major concentrated in Biological Anthropology, Classical Studies minor
Latin 1 is the first of three introductory Latin courses at Dartmouth. The class is split into small teams; students complete coursework as groups. I cannot recommend taking Latin enough: the classes are tiny, the professors are fantastic, and some even bring their dogs to class (check out my blog about Dartmouth's Latin dogs). I finished the introductory Latin sequence, fulfilling my language requirement. Now, I am continuing to work in the department as a Learning fellow—a student who has already taken the class and attends class to facilitate group work.
After taking Latin 1 in my first term, when it came time to pick my writing seminar (the second required portion of the first-year writing sequence), I naturally chose the course themed on the Greco-Roman world. This course was incredible and was seminar-style, so we discussed readings, went to the Hood Museum of Art, and presented on a feature of art in Pompeii that we found particularly interesting.
My first anthropology course! This archaeology course introduced me to the field of anthropology and archaeology at Dartmouth. This course was lecture-style, with different lectures on everything, including the evolution of religious thought, human sacrifice, and Stonehenge! The professor was incredibly engaging, and we even got to pick lecture topics during the end of the term.
SummerWater Mill, NY
I spent my summer at home, working on my family's vegetable farm. I also started working as an Admissions Communications Intern for the Admissions Office!
Anth006 was my first biological anthropology course! This course was incredible; this introduction course delves into the concentrations within anthropology and everything from the first life on earth to applied anthropology today! We also often had guest lecturers, from visiting professors to graduate students, who would speak about their concentration and research.
Fossils, fossils, fossils! Our professor is a renowned paleoanthropologist, so the course focuses on fossil traces of human ancestors and relatives. Human Evolution is a lecture-style course, but every Friday, we go to the paleoanthropology lab to handle casts of fossils—which we were introduced to during lectures. These fossils are also our primary form of assessment, as we were assessed on the fossils in culminating lab practicals. It is incredible not only to learn about the discoveries that shape our understanding of human evolution but also to engage directly with replicas of them.
Anth017 course focused on individuals' experiences of illness. Our professor was a medical and psychological anthropologist, so it was interesting to hear about the intersections of her research and our course's themes. Throughout the term, we discussed various topics like illness behavior, the culture of biomedicine, and structural violence. We had daily readings and three full-length texts—which we read throughout the term. Our final project was a gateway to delve deeper into the course's themes. This opportunity was particularly enriching as it allowed me to integrate my URAD research into the course seamlessly. This personal connection made the final project a truly enjoyable and fulfilling experience.
The Sixties was an incredible Humanities course taught by a Religion professor. Each week, we broke down a year of the “long sixties”—starting with JFK’s assassination in 1963 and ending with Nixon’s resignation in 1974. We learned both about the history and the culture of the decade. My favorite part about this course was the emphasis on the music of the "long sixties." We listened to the top 30 songs for each year of the "long sixties," and now I have a fantastic playlist from all of the songs I have discovered due to this class (some Don McLean, Simon & Garfunkel, The Doors, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Beatles, The Supremes, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, and so many others)!
Free Dinner? A Trip to the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge
The Moosilauke Ravine Lodge (or "Lodj") is loved by Dartmouth students past and present for two main reasons:
1. Being the culminating part of their First-Year Trips—the pre-orientation camping trip incoming Dartmouth students attend
2. Providing free multi-course dinners throughout the spring, summer, and fall seasons
Until this summer, I had never gone to the Lodj for dinner. Over my sophomore summer, my older brother came to visit Dartmouth for the first time, so my roommates and I thought it would be fitting to make the trek north to show him a unique Dartmouth tradition.
My friends and my brother exploring outside of the Lodj before dinner!
To eat at the Lodj, we had to call in advance to make a reservation. You do not need to be a Dartmouth student to make a reservation, so if you are ever in the area, I recommend trying it out; it is free for all Dartmouth students, and any other visitors can pay to eat at the Lodj. After we made our reservation, we drove around an hour north to get to the Lodj. When we arrived, we discovered that our friend Trudy was coincidentally getting Lodj dinner with her parents—who were visiting her!
We walked around and looked at the other cabins at the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge, showed my brother the "leech field" where all of the First-Year Trip dances occur, and took some pictures!
Carolina going down to the field!
We then ate a delicious 5-course dinner featuring a salad, garlic knots, lentil soup, chicken orzo, and tiramisu! The meal was prepared by Lodj Croo, who are Dartmouth students who live and work at the Lodj for an off-term!
I think the progression of our dinner is best represented by a series of photos during each course. Enjoy!
Course 1: Salad
Unfortunately, due to our hunger after the drive to Moosilauke, we have no photos of the salad portion of our meal.
Course 2: Lentil Soup
Amazing soup. The soup got passed down the table one by one, hence my brother Eli's intense concentration.
Course 3: Garlic Knots
The garlic knots were amazing—warm and buttery! We even had extra at our table so we could each have two. NOTE: Despite Eli's sad glance, he did eat a garlic knot.
Course 4: Chicken Orzo
This photo of me and Alison was captured post-chicken orzo consumption. The chicken was delicious and we all appreciated the sun-dried tomatoes.
During this course, the Lodj croo introduced themselves and told stories about their experience working in the Lodj. I will not spoil what unfolded at this part of dinner, but I hope my friends and brother's reactions speak for themselves.
Course 5: Tirmasu
Last course, best course? The tiramisu for dessert was delicious. Look how excited Carolina, Eli, and Maddie were about their dessert!
I loved my time at the Lodj and hope to return soon before the Lodj closes for the season! Hopefully, next time I go to Moosilauke, I'll see a moose, as fellow People Places Pines blogger Memo did.
