With a 3.99 grade point average, Latchezar Benatov '03, a math and physics double major from Sofia, Bulgaria, is the valedictorian for the Class of 2003. Justin Walsh '03, an economics and math double major from Quincy, Mass., is the class salutatorian, with a record just one-hundredth of a point behind Benatov at 3.98
Despite his high GPA, Benatov told The Dartmouth that, when he heard the news, he still found it hard to believe.
In addition to excelling in his classes, as an undergraduate Benatov was very involved with research under the guidance of Professor Jay Lawrence of the physics and astronomy department.
"Academically speaking, my most important experience has been my research, because I really learned how to apply all the things I had learned in physics for so many years," Benatov said.
Benatov also completed a senior thesis in physics, again under Lawrence's guidance.
"It was a process of exploration and discovery and adventure, to some extent," Benatov said of the project.
Benatov said he had enjoyed many memorable classroom experiences, but that Math 23, Math 71, Physics 23 and Physics 24 came to mind as classes that had really made a difference in his career at Dartmouth.
Outside of the classroom, Benatov made time to be treasurer and later president of Amarna undergraduate society, a place he said many of his fondest memories of Dartmouth came from.
In his valedictory address at Commencement on June 8, he cited the accepting nature of the Dartmouth community as one of the reasons for his success.
"I completely forgot I was a foreigner, and integrated fully into the Dartmouth community," Benatov said. "It has allowed me to appreciate the enormous intellectual and cultural creativity of humankind."
Benatov also stressed the "need for innovation, creativity, and maybe a little dreaming," adding, "I believe dreams and ideals have always propelled humanity forward, and ideas once considered crazy have often turned out to be not only very sane, but correct."
Upon hearing that he was on the short list for valedictorian in the middle of Spring term, he approached the Dean's office to explain that his parents would be unable to come, knowing the high price of international travel.
With the help of New Hampshire Sen. Judd Gregg, Benatov's parents traveled at College expense from their home in Sofia, Bulgaria to witness the ceremony.
Next year, Benatov will continue his work in physics as he pursues a Ph.D. in physics from Yale University.
Salutatorian Walsh, also the holder of a stellar academic record as well as several impressive internships during his tenure at Dartmouth -- during off-terms he worked for Salomon Smith Barney, Price Waterhouse Coopers IT and Goldman Sachs and Company -- said many of his favorite academic memories came from the two economics courses he took with professor Bruce Sacerdote '90 and from Math 31 with professor Constantin Dumitrascu.
Walsh also participated in the Italian department's Language club during his sophomore and junior years.
Walsh plans to spend the next two years working for Goldman Sachs and Company in their New York office.
In his four years at Dartmouth Benatov accrued many other academic honors including seven academic citations and membership in Phi Beta Kappa and the Golden Key Honor Society. He was also named a Presidential Research Scholar and a Rufus Choate Scholar for each of his four years at Dartmouth.
Walsh earned eight academic citations and was named a Rufus Choate Scholar each of his four years at Dartmouth.
At the ceremony, celebrated historian David McCullough addressed the graduates on the subject of teaching and teachers.
"There are no more important members of our society, none more important to our whole way of life, than our teachers," he said.
"In truth, it is they who are doing the work that matters above all," he added.
