In his new role as president of Willamette University in Salem, Ore., Dartmouth's former dean of the College Lee Pelton may be at a new college and in a new time zone, but many things remain the same.
An excerpt from his convocation address describing Willamette's origins sounds familiar: a young missionary was chosen to establish a school whose purpose was to educate Native Americans "in matters both religious and practical."
In a phone interview Pelton described his first semester at the college as "great, terrific, and a lot of fun." He said he was enjoying both the school and its location, which offers access to the Cascade Mountains and the Pacific Oceans.
However, Willamette is by no means as rural as Dartmouth. Pelton's new duties include many meetings with local organizations in Portland and Salem.
"My position has thrust me into the role of a civic leader," Pelton said. "And I spend most of my time turning down speaking engagements."
He is, he said, busier than ever before, especially with speeches outside the University, of which he makes up to three a day. "Out of seven evenings, four are committed," he said.
Though his time is mainly divided up between acquainting himself with the issues of Willamette and its students, Pelton did find time to fit a visit to Hanover into his schedule. He came back for President James Wright's inaugural ceremonies, which he described as "wonderful."
"It was a little disconcerting," Pelton said of the (literally) new perspective. "I was used to being on stage," he said. He said he is certain Wright will do well as president.
As far as missing his old role here at the College, the former Dean said the first thing he missed most was BlitzMail.
"Of course, I miss everything -- Dartmouth students, my friends, Occom Pond, the Green ... I miss it all."
