David Dawson hosts student dinners

A new approach to gathering opinion from the first-years

by Constance Huang

Earlham President David Dawson has begun the tradition of having dinners with first year students. Dawson invites two or three advising groups, consisting of advisers and their students to dine with him, in an attempt to give every first year student the opportunity to meet Dawson in his home.

Some students had dinner with Dawson last semester, while others will continue to be invited this semester. The food for each dinner is unique, exhibiting Sodexo’s idea of international cuisine.

Dawson underlined the importance of meeting students early on in their time at Earlham. He also felt that it might be a good idea to provide another way for first years to meet one another.

Dawson said, “We just chat during the dinner and I never know what students want to talk about. Sometimes we talk about our pets, sometimes we talk about where we are from, our vacations. Lately, as students have been here for a while, the conversation starts to change… They have more things they have opinions about or they want to talk about.”

Apparently, David has gotten to have some good conversations with students during these dinners. “I think I am getting a chance to get to know students a little bit more quickly in ways because I meet students maybe because they are in the committee, or there is some issue, or I see some of them at music performances, or athletic activities. I don’t get to talk to them one on one for a long period time. The dinners are different because we have a couple of hours. There is no pressure to do the business link in a meeting or to solve some problems or to work on stuff, so we can just have conversation.”

Upon arrival, students and advisers can expect to be greeted and given a tour of Dawson’s home, and to engage in short talks with the president in order to get acquainted. The caterers then serve dinner, and the group makes their choice of food and beverage. “I have hopes, and one of them is that everybody will be relaxed, talk about the things they are interested in and things that will help us get to know one another, and find out more about who people are, what their interests are,” said Dawson

Students got different feelings from the dinners that they attended. First year Heather Valadez said, “Conversation ranged from why we decided to attend Earlham, to computer coding, to sports and eventually to food. I had fun, meeting and getting to know everyone. We should do this more often.”

Some students said the dinner was not what they expected at first. First year Rebecca Leavell wanted to get more acquainted with Dawson at the dinner. “I don’t think I got to know too much about the president at the dinner, I got to know a little more about my fellow first years though,” she said. Caroline Rosoff, also a first year, felt the group that attended was fairly large, and as a result small group discussions formed, instead of having one large conversation.

The tradition of dinner with the president is still continuing, and perhaps next week, you will be invited.  Prepare to have your own special experience dining with the president.

Constance Huang is an undeclared first-year and may be reached at shuang11@earlham.edu. 

My dinner with David Dawson

by Heather Valadez

Into the greater unknown, I went forth. I was not alone. My advisor and I, along with other advisees in her group, went to President David Dawson’s house for dinner.

We were not the first ones to do this, nor will we be the last. I knew Dawson wanted to know the incoming class better, especially since it was also his first year at the college. I don’t know if he achieved his goal, but I felt afterwards that I knew him better as a person.

I admit, I was incredibly nervous. Sure, Dawson is relaxed and very down-to-earth. Still, this was his house! I had no idea what to expect.

Dawson greeted us all, introducing himself and asking our names. I relaxed when I saw how normal his house looked. Middle-class suburbia seemed to be the decorative theme. It felt cozy. We all sat down in a circle around a small glass coffee table and talked.

Conversation ranged from why we decided to attend Earlham, to computer coding, to sports and eventually to food. Immediately, I felt nervous again. If you know me at all, you know that I’m a klutz. I began hoping our food wasn’t going to end up on the nice, clean carpet of Dawson’s house. I feared the wrath of Mrs. Dawson should I spill food upon her domain.

We entered the kitchen, where Sodexo caterers explained to us the theme of the dinner. For each group eating, a different meal was prepared. That night, we were treated to authentic Louisiana cuisine. The gumbo was good, though spicy. There were vegetarian options for those with dietary restrictions. I loved dessert, though I can’t remember what it was.

Taking the plate and carefully walking back to the living room, I sat down and eagerly enjoyed the meal. I was thankful for the coffee table, because I surely would have spilled something without it. Conversation resumed. It was a shame that the dinner had to end, as we were all enjoying ourselves. I had fun meeting and getting to know everyone. We should do this more often.

Heather Valadez is an undeclared first-year and may be reached at hevalad11@earlham.edu.