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.
This term has been full of opportunities that have strengthened my connection to Dartmouth's environment, and I'd like to share a few of these moments with you. It may be my second Fall term, but this year I've been much more aware of the seasonal shift in Hanover's landscape. It's probably because I haven't been as overwhelmed by the transition to college, or simply because the foliage season has been especially good. When I arrived on campus, I woke up to a dense green landscape shrouded in fog—now the leaves are bare and the weather crisp. What happened in between—that slow creep and sudden flash of warm colors—has deepened my sense of the place that is Dartmouth.
One of many stellar weather days—perfect for a ride.
When the sun is out, the roads are dry, and the time is right, my favorite way to get outside is on a bike. The access to quiet roads and scenic routes make the Upper Valley particularly suited for cycling. These were taken during a ride to Orford, VT, with a friend on the Club Triathlon Team. We headed North, parallel to the Connecticut River, and took in some early signs of the changing seasons.
Some colors early in the season.
During one weekend of the term, my parents visited and we hiked a local, popular destination: Cardigan mountain. The peak is about 45 minutes away from campus and has a height of 3,155 feet. After winding up trails carpeted in leaves, we arrived at the summit. A ranger told us the visibility happened to be the best of the entire season—and that meant we could see as far as Mount Moosilauke and Mount Washington, two peaks in the nearby White Mountains. (approximately 100 miles away).
A dense tunnel of Aspen trees during the hike up Cardigan mountain
The view from Cardigan's summit.
Speaking of Mount Moosilauke, I was also able stay at the Dartmouth-run Ravine Lodgefor a night and attempted to trail run to the summit (which consisted of more rock scrambling than anything else). At the top, the wind was intense and the sky was cloudy, but the view was worth it—the horizon glowed a deep orange. On the way back down, the alpine environment quickly gave way to warm foliage, and I made it back to the lodge just in time for breakfast.
The summit view from Mount Moosilauke.
I didn't need to go far to see foliage at Dartmouth, though. The following are snapshots of some of my favorite trees on-campus. My commutes around campus allowed me to stay in touch with the landscape as the term progressed.
The first signs of foliage!
A particularly spectacular Sugar Maple tree (yes the same Maple used for syrup).
The best Ginkgo tree on-campus.
It's easy to get caught up in the busyness of college life, but this term has reminded me of the beauty and stillness that exist in the world around us if we just take the time to notice. As the weather turns colder and the bare branches stretch toward the sky, I'm excited to see what the next season will bring.
The Green today on a sunny morning.
"Stick season" as seen during one of my last rides.
As a second-year at Dartmouth, I've embraced leadership roles that foster community, creativity, and support! Here's a look at how each role has shaped my journey.
