Hi there! I'm Nathan, a '27 from Lynn, MA (just outside Boston). I'm an intended Engineering Sciences Major and Studio Art Minor—I like to understand, design, and create things. I also love reading about history, writing, and photography (hence this blog). On-campus, I'm involved in the Triathlon Team, French Living Learning Community (LLC), and Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship. Explore my posts for an inside perspective of everything Dartmouth has to offer!
I took this class to explore the Biology Department and it ended up defining my freshman Fall. I grew close with other biology-minded students and together we delved deep into cellular mechanisms and processes in a fast-paced environment. The labs were long but rewarding and everything about this class made me a better scientist—Professor Bezanilla is an amazing teacher! I would recommend this class to anyone with a passion for biology and research.
“Who do I want to be?” is a question that I frequently ask myself as an undergraduate (and I’m sure you will as well). A good place to begin answering this question, however, is “Who am I ?” Taking Investigative Memoir as my first-year seminar allowed me to explore this question via personal reflection and expressive writing—something that has helped me frame my identity at Dartmouth with the rest of my life. College can be a surreal experience, but Professor Sharlet’s introduction to the world of creative nonfiction has given me the ability to transform my own perceptions into tangible, recorded stories.
As a kid I drew a lot; I was inspired by architectural books like “Pyramid” and “Castle” and fascinated by illustrations in “The Way Things Work.” All of these books are by the author David Macaulay—and I had the opportunity to take this very class with him! I completed weekly sketchbook exercises, worked on visually communicating inventions, and was able to receive personal feedback. The theme of visual illustration as a tool in engineering resonated strongly with me, inspiring my interest in an engineering major modified with studio art. Given my long relationship with his work, this class was truly a dream come true.
SummerAmherst, Massachusetts
I interned at a running biomechanics research lab in Amherst, MA, to explore my interests in kinesiology and running shoe design! I was able to self-fund the internship through a grant from the Dartmouth Center for Professional Development (CPD). I spent the rest of my summer reading, spending time with family, and took a trip to Quebec before returning to campus.
The first of a two-part series on classical mechanics, this class made physics refreshing and enjoyable. The content came primarily through lectures given by Professor Caldwell, who was extremely clear and made each class memorable with demonstrations, jokes, or historical tangents. The lab section, which involved hands-on physics experiments, reinforced my understanding of the material in a practical sense. I took this course as an engineering requirement, and I found it to be my favorite quantitative course thus far.
I delved into the process of using digital design tools—such as the Adobe Suite, Rhino 3D, and Fusion 360—to create projects that used computer driven manufacturing methods like laser cutting and 3D printing. This class was right up my alley as the assignments required a hybrid of creative and technical thinking. My favorite projects included a making my own lamp, decorative tiles, and an architecture miniature. Overall, this class expanded my design skills and further solidified my pursuit of a Studio Art minor.
I learned about the history of New York, New Orleans, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles through a series of group discussions and presentations. Professor Orleck was an amazing lecturer and guided us through topics like labor reform, corruption, infrastructure, and economics across each city. The final project was an open research paper, and I chose to write about the evolution of culture in Boston's North End. Overall, this class reshaped my perspective of cities and allowed me to fulfill a SOC distributive requirement.
For the first weekend of my summer term , I had the opportunity to head up to Sebago Lake in Maine for a triathlon—sprint and Olympic distance races were offered, plus a duathlon option. I'd originally signed up for the duathlon, excited to mix things up from the usual tri format, but an injury a few weeks before meant I wouldn't be racing after all.
However, I decided to make the trip as a supporter. As the equipment chair for our team, I figured I could still contribute by making sure everyone's gear was dialed in and ready to perform. Sometimes the best way to be part of the team is knowing when to step into a different role!
On Saturday morning we piled into our rental cars with the team trailer loaded up with bikes in tow. The three-hour drive to Sebago gave us plenty of time for the usual triathlon conversations—race strategies, training stories, and the inevitable debates about gear choices. There's something about being in a car full of Dartmouth students that makes every topic somehow circle back to outdoor activities, food, and other life stories.
When we arrived, we unloaded and prepped some of the bikes before settling into our accommodations. One of our teammates had generously offered up his family's cabin on the lake, and the cozy setup was perfect for a race weekend. Nothing beats staying right on the water before an open water swim event.
While others went for a quick run or took advantage of the lake for an open water swim, I joined a friend for an easy jog around the area. The Maine landscape was beautiful—so different from Hanover, but familiar in that New England way. We cooked up a classic pre-race pasta dinner that evening and turned in early, knowing the next morning would start before most people think about waking up.
Race day meant alarms going off—well—let's just say before 5:00 AM. We loaded up and headed to the venue, where the familiar pre-race energy was already building. I shifted into equipment mode, helping move bikes and making sure everything was race-ready. A well-tuned bike can make or break your race—having the right tire pressure and a dialed setup are hugely important to minimize the risk of mechanical issues.
By 7:00, the first waves were crowding the shoreline of Sebago Lake. The atmosphere was incredible—the surface of the lake was misty in the early morning light, but you could still make out the buoys marking the swim course. I borrowed a friend's camera at this point and started documenting the day, probably taking way too many pictures (though some turned out pretty good).
The Olympic distance racers were first into the water, followed by more waves of Olympic and finally the sprint distance athletes. I stayed on the water's edge, capturing shots and cheering everyone on as they finished their swim and headed into transition.
From there, I posted up in the transition area—the nerve center where athletes leave with their bikes and return for the run. This became my home base for most of the race, snapping photos as teammates zipped by on their bikes or ran past looking focused and determined.
After two laps of the bike course and working through the run, the first finishers started crossing the line. The post-race atmosphere was electric—that combination of exhaustion and accomplishment that makes every triathlon finish special. I kept the camera busy, documenting those finish line moments and the celebrations that followed.
Post-race discussions.
By the awards ceremony, everyone had finished and we were all caught up in the post-race high. The free BBQ didn't hurt either. While I knew racing would have been fun, I was happy contributing to the team in a different way for once. Being the team photographer kept me busy and gave me a new perspective on the sport I love.
This experience is another one to add to my growing list of adventures with the club triathlon team. If you're curious for more, I've written about what the team has to offer and our recent trip to Collegiate Club Nationals.
I hope this provides some perspective on what a triathlon is like and the sorts of opportunities club sports create here at Dartmouth!
The Fourth of July: a federal holiday usually spent over summer break with family and friends. Not this year, though! As a result of sophomore summer, I spent this holiday with my friends at Dartmouth.
At Dartmouth, I'm constantly impressed by student-athlete friends who balance academics, social life, and demanding athletic schedules. Curious how they do it? Read on for a closer look at the life of a swim & dive student-athlete through Klara.
At Dartmouth, I'm constantly impressed by student-athlete friends who balance academics, social life, and demanding athletic schedules. Curious how they do it? Read on for a closer look at the life of a basketball student-athlete through Connor.
At Dartmouth, I'm constantly impressed by student-athlete friends who balance academics, social life, and demanding athletic schedules. Curious how they do it? Read on for a closer look at the life of a baseball student-athlete through Alejandro.
At Dartmouth, I'm constantly impressed by student-athlete friends who balance academics, social life, and demanding athletic schedules. Curious how they do it? Read on for a closer look at the life of a track & field student-athlete through David.
