2008 Association of Alumni Candidates

David P. Spalding '76
Candidate for Secretary-Treasurer

Biography
David returned to Dartmouth in 2005 as vice president for Alumni Relations. As an undergraduate he was a member of AD and the debate team, worked at Thayer, and appeared on WDCR. He graduated cum laude in history in 1976, received an MBA from NYU in 1984, and spent more than 29 years in the financial services industry in New York. He has been a very active Dartmouth volunteer, serving on the President's Leadership Council and the Dartmouth College Fund. He was a member or co-chair of the giving committees for his 20th, 25th, and 30th reunions. His father, Lyle Spalding, is a member of the Class of 1952. David has served on a number of boards, including three years as chairman of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York.

Statement
I adopt the statement of John Mathias, and I urge the election of our entire slate, including Bascomb, Keare, Baldauf, Brown, Engelman, Harris, Jaxheimer, Kerr, and Schram. Already, hundreds of Dartmouth alumni have endorsed our candidacies at www.dartmouthundying.org.

Dartmouth must focus on giving its students the best educational experience in the world. Seeking the interference of courts or the New Hampshire legislature in the governance of the College does not promote that mission. Efforts to get both to intervene in the work of the College were undertaken by members of the current Alumni Association. As your representative, I opposed the lawsuit launched by the majority leadership of the association against the College: litigation saps money and attention away from our students and harms Dartmouth’s reputation.

As a student at Dartmouth I learned the importance of giving back. Like the other candidates I endorse, I have actively volunteered and given to the College since graduating.

There are many voices that need to be heard for Dartmouth to be successful, including those of students, alumni, faculty, and administrators. As vice president for Alumni Relations, I am committed to enhancing communication between the College and her alumni. We must do a better job of gathering broad alumni opinion in an objective manner and informing all alumni about what's happening in Hanover.

Since the days of Ernest Martin Hopkins, Class of 1901, a Dartmouth employee has been secretary of the association, strengthening the ties between the College and her alumni leadership. I was proud to carry on this tradition last year, and I look forward to representing you again this coming year.

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