Our Story

For the past two years, a small group of Dartmouth students has journeyed across the country in a school bus that has been converted to run on waste-vegetable oil, educating the public about alternative fuels. They have successfully engaged curious onlookers, students and families, and business and political leaders in presentations and discussions about our environmental and social responsibility. In doing so, they received much media attention ranging from features on National Public Radio, Good Morning America, Google’s Top 10 Search, MTV, and stories in newspapers across the country.

This year, in preparation for a third summer on the road, we are working on creating a strategy for advocacy that incorporates the successes of past trips with a more defined audience and quantifiable goals. Our group of Dartmouth students, which now includes environmental scientists, biologists, engineers, writers and artists, will continue to visit communities across the country to educate the public about issues of sustainable energy.

	Hayley Kennedy '08 Hometown: Encinitas, California Major: Environmental Studies & Studio Art "At Dartmouth I mentor kids, dream about southern california weather, draw a comic for the school paper, and spend alot of time thinking about what I could do with a degree in studio art. I plan to go on to graduate school and study to be an architect specializing in sustainable design. I am inspired (artistically and otherwise) by people, the places in which they find themselves, and how this combination of personality and environment is expressed socially as well as structurally. "
	Whitney MacFadyen '07 Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska Major: Environmental & Evolutionary Ecology "As a Dartmouth graduate in spring of 2007, I intend to gain some more experience in environmental science and applied biology careers before attending grad school in a related field. I want to simplify the material aspects of my life and continue to grow intellectually after my formal education is finished. I will certainly continue to seek out unique opportunities to climb, sea kayak, cross country ski and backpack while pursuing an interest in wilderness medicine. As a local of Alaska, I hope to eventually reside in a place where the winters are white and the mountains are right out my window."
	Esther Perman '07 Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska Major: Geography Minor: Government & Anthropology "I grew up in Anchorage and will always consider the beautiful state of Alaska my home. But before I go back, I'm off to explore the world! After 4 years in Hanover and in various countries on abroad terms, I'm excited to get back on the road for a summer of more adventures. While at school, I stayed busy as a member of the Dartmouth Ski Patrol and Class Council member and president. Now I'm avoiding finding a real job by spending lots of time helping prepare for our trip. I grow more and more excited about the Bus every day as I read our many encouraging fan letters. I've come to realize how important our mission is to so many people and hope that we will be successful in our goal of inspiring change!"
	Colleen Wearn '06 Hometown: Portland, Oregon Major: Spanish modified with Education Minor: Earth Sciences "A native of Portland, Oregon, I finally made the big move East for college. I graduated from Dartmouth in June 2006 with a major in Spanish modified with Education and a minor in Earth Sciences. Highlights from my 4 years included road-tripping across the Western USA studying geology and living in Uruguay for a term. I also rowed for the varsity crew team, planned wilderness orientation trips, and mentored high schoolers through Outdoor Leadership Experience. My first year in the “real world” includes teaching sixth graders at Outdoor School in Oregon, volunteering at a bilingual K-12 school in Costa Rica, and learning to make tortillas and gallo pinto."
	Lucas Schulz '08 Hometown: Johnson, Vermont Major: Engineering "A life long Vermonter, I don't find myself too far from home here at Dartmouth. I am studying mechanical and environmental engineering through the five year BE program, so it seems fitting that I find myself as part of the bus crew. This is my second year with the bus, although last year I passed up the road trip in favor or sophomore summer. On campus, I am a member of the nordic ski team and when I get the chance teach whitewater kayaking. As the bus mechanic, I am in the middle of getting it ready for its second trip around the country, as well as setting up a WVO powered chase car."
	Nate Raines '07 Hometown: Arlington, Virginia Major: Ecology "I'm an ecology major with pre-medical interests. Independent research and community projects (such as the big green bus) have played a big role in my college experience; I have done education and development research in Bosnia, taught preschoolers in Guatemala, studied tropical ecology in Jamaica and Costa Rica, and am currently writing a thesis on the aquatic ecology of coffee farming in Guatemala. I also love to play ultimate frisbee. After college I'm hoping to either continue doing ecology research as a profession or become a doctor."
	Kate Parizeau '10 Hometown: Wellesley, Massachusetts Major: Undecided "As someone who gets antsy staying in one place for too long, spending a summer on the Big Green Bus doing a cross-country road trip is a dream come true. I'm excited to be able to see the diversity of our country and be able to learn from the people we meet, hopefully informing and inspiring some of them along the way. Outside of school, I love anything to do with the ocean, reading whatever book is in front of me, and traveling as much as I can. Although my chosen field of study changes on a near-weekly basis (as of this moment I am considering Anthropology) I am particularly interested in the relationship between communities and their environments in developing regions."
	Brent Butler '07 Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Major: English "As a senior at Dartmouth College I do a lot of things, a small number of which can be mentioned publicly. Over the last four year I have been a member of the Varsity Swim team (captain senior year), a performer with Casual Thursday Improvisation troupe, and an editor of the literary journal Stonefence. Heralding from Milwaukee Wisconsin I struggle to remain modest about it. With an Honors degree in English and a less honored one in Pre-Medicine I hope to pen the first Tony winning musical involving on stage surgery and a singing xiphoid process. This summer I will be writing the official Big Green Bus novel, which Al Gore personally promises will be a best seller. So if you see the Bus in your town this summer come say hi and do something crazy, you might make it into the book."
	Frances Vernon '10 Hometown: Cedar Rapids, Iowa Major: Economics Minor: Global Health "Although my roots will always be in Iowa, since leaving, I have begun to see the many places my life will take me. My first year at Dartmouth has opened my eyes to the obligations we all possess as global citizens. "The world's problems are our problems," said John Dickey, Dartmouth's twelfth president. Although I hope to focus on Global Health, the bus is a very exciting way to get out and meet the diverse cultures that make up our nation. On campus, I enjoy being the Class of 2010 president and being an active member of the Dartmouth Coalition for Global Health. I love running, cross-country skiing, hiking...anything to explore my new home!"
	Merritt Jenkins '10 Hometown: Saint Davids, Pennsylvania Major: Environmental Studies "My main passion is studying wilderness survival skills. I enjoy bow-making, flintknapping, woodworking, and studying the environment around me. At Dartmouth I plan on improving my skills in whitewater kayaking, rock climbing, martial arts, and skiing. With a double major in environmental studies and anthropology, I hope to study tribal cultures and how they manage their surrounding environment."
	Chris Barth '08 Hometown: Cherry Hill, New Jersey Major: Geography and Spanish "For better or for worse, my passions lie in whimsical and unemployable fields, from juggling and baseball to music and improv comedy. At Dartmouth I'm involved in a number of student groups, most importantly Casual Thursday Improv Troupe, DOC Freshman Trips, and Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. In the past few years I've had the opportunity to hike along the Appalachian Trail, study abroad in Madrid, and adventure through Europe with close friends, and hope the Bus will continue to shape my Dartmouth experience. My plans beyond college include lottery winnings, circus performance, gaudy sunglass modeling, and being barefoot in my mountain home."