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 Fifty is, well, a fifty mile long hike—but it's not just any hike! The Fifty begins at the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge, takes place on a segment of theAppalachian Trail(the "AT" a 2,100 mile path running down the Eastern US), and ends back on campus. Every Fall and Summer term, a dozen or so teams of four students attempt to complete the distance. It's a time-honored Dartmouth tradition that has tested the limits of students since 1920, when a senior named Sherman Adams completed the first iteration of the hike. The current track along AT has over 15,000 feet of vertical gain and takes students 24-32 hours to complete.
How does one hike The Fifty?
Because hiking The Fifty can be such a challenge, there's uncertainty regarding whether one can finish or not. For this reason, there is a lottery system for who gets to hike—yes it's popular! There are also "points," and the teams with the most points have a higher chance of getting to hike (which means you really have to want to hike in order to hike). Points are gained by supporting the event, which usually means helping organize the aid stations that are placed every 10 miles on the trail. This brings me to my time supporting over the weekend!
The scale of The Fifty.
While hiking The Fifty is absolutely on my bucket list, my current plan is to hike it during"Sophomore Summer."So for this Fall, I opted to support instead of hike to gather points so I have a higher chance of getting in later. I was assigned to Great Bear Cabin, which is the first aid station right after the hikers summit Mount Moosilauke!
After arriving at the site, we unpacked our supplies and made food for the incoming hikers. We made a LOT of sandwiches and prepared a hydration area. While I was having a busy weekend, the chance to take a break from campus and be involved in such a Dartmouth tradition was amazing—and the foliage was perfect!
It was a Sunday morning, and the hikers left Moosilauke in waves starting around nine, so we were expecting guests around noon and onwards. They eventually trickled in and we greeted them with as much energy and enthusiasm as possible; we tried to give them a mental break from lonely miles of plodding along. We were also dressed in flair, so that wasn't too difficult of a task!
Ready for hikers!
There were stretches of time during which we had no hikers to care for, but when they did show up—it was a flurry of activity! We refilled their water bottles, offered them everything from energy bars to pickles, and checked-in individually. The difference in the hikers' energy from when they arrived to when they left was observable!
After a few hours of support we packed up our station and headed back to campus. A few students opted to "sweep" to the next station (which meant following the last hikers to ensure a support group is never far behind). We returned our supplies and resumed our Dartmouth lives—but the hikers were still out there!
The following morning, the hikers finally made it to campus after having trudged all throughout the night. A crowd greeted the finishers, who promptly celebrated and immediately went to go sleep or get food. I was pleased to see most of the hikers finish and know that we contributed to their success!
A day well spent supporting!
Stay tuned for a future post in which I hope to cover my experience hiking the Fifty!
As a Digital Media Student Director for Dartmouth's First-Generation Office, it is my role on campus to amplify first-gen voices, foster community, and create meaningful connections through creative outreach.
This fall, Dartmouth provided me with incredible opportunities to get involved in politics. I registered as a New Hampshire voter, joined civic organizations, canvassed, and more! Read on to follow my journey leading up to Election Day!
