- Pipcorn Co-Founder Jen Martin Named Weiner Family Entrepreneur in Residence in the Office of Entrepreneurship and InnovationPipcorn Co-Founder Jen Martin Named Weiner Family Entrepreneur in Residence in the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation sdevries@colgate.edu Pipcorn co-founder Jen Martin will bring more than a decade of experience building brands from the ground up, when she begins working with Colgate University’s student entrepreneurs as the new Weiner Family Entrepreneur in Residence in the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (E&I). “I started my first two businesses in college, so I understand how transformative this time can be and the unique experience of being a college entrepreneur: how to balance ambition with real-life demands,” Martin said. “It’s a moment to test bold ideas, take meaningful risks, and begin shaping the future you want to see. My hope is to help Colgate students do the same, to recognize their unique gifts, trust their instincts, and bring their ideas to life with confidence and purpose.” As co-founder and chief brand officer of Pipcorn, Martin turned a $3,000 idea for a snack company featuring special heirloom corn into a multimillion-dollar international brand, securing a deal on Shark Tank, multiple features on Oprah’s Favorite Things, and shelf space at major national retailers. She has been recognized as one of Entrepreneur’s 100 Power Women in Business, Forbes 30 Under 30, and Essence’s 50 Women to Watch. After her time at Pipcorn, Martin advised legacy consumer packaged goods companies, global automotive brands, and mission-driven startups in a consulting capacity — helping shape strategy for high-profile initiatives, including a worldwide marketing campaign for one of the world’s most iconic candy brands. Colgate University announced the creation of E&I’s Weiner Family Entrepreneur in Residence in April 2025. The endowed staff position was made possible by Howard Weiner ’72 and was established to support Colgate’s commitment to entrepreneurship and to ensure that future generations of students benefit from a strong liberal arts foundation as they build their startups. “I'm excited to welcome Jen to the team. During her on-site interview, she connected with students, staff, faculty, and alumni through her student-centric approach and bona fide entrepreneurial chops,” said Entrepreneurship and Innovation Director Carolyn Strobel-Larsen. The entrepreneur in residence heads the Thought into Action (TIA) program — a key E&I focus area and signature program in the Middle Campus Initiative for Arts, Creativity, and Innovation (ACI). Martin will start in the position Sept. 10. E&I’s Thought Into Action (TIA) Incubator Kickoff Weekend will take place Sept. 19–20 during Homecoming weekend, when more than two dozen mentors will come to campus to work directly with students, culminating with the TIA Entrepreneur Showcase on April 11 during Arts, Creativity, and Innovation Weekend. “What makes Colgate special is the deep bench of passionate mentors and alumni who are genuinely invested in helping students succeed,” Martin said. “That access — and the generosity of spirit behind it — is a unique gift. I’m excited to help foster those connections and create space for big ideas, decisive action, and lasting impact. I’m ready to meet students where they are and help them find their next right step, one move at a time.” Centers and Institutes Alumni Third Century Career Development Entrepreneurship Professional Networks People News and Updates Faculty & Staff entrepreneurshipPipcorn Co-Founder Jen Martin
- Colgate Hosts First Nation Students from Western AustraliaColgate Hosts First Nation Students from Western Australia tmfonda@colgate.edu In late June, Colgate University hosted students from Curtin University (Perth, Australia) for two weeks of cultural exchange, exploration of central New York geography, and Indigenous connections. Geography professors Adam Burnett and Peter Klepeis, along with Colgate students Jannah Zabadi ’26 and Jack Mullen ’26, led the cohort of 12 exchange students and two Curtin faculty as they attended academic lectures, visited Native American nations, and connected with nature. Colgate’s relationship with Curtin University began with work conducted more than a decade ago by Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies Emerita Ellen Kraly. In 2013, Kraly collaborated with Curtin colleagues to repatriate a collection of art held by Colgate and made by Australian Aboriginal children. She also developed an extended study to Western Australia that was eventually carried on by Burnett and Klepeis. “These child artists are referred to as the stolen generation,” says Burnett, who has helped to maintain the relationship with Curtin in recent years. “They were removed from their families by government agencies under acts of their respective parliaments.” These policies, implemented through much of the 20th century, bear clear parallels to the experiences of Indigenous communities in central New York, where children from Haudenosaunee and other nations were forcibly placed in residential boarding schools. Thus, after leading several extended studies centered on Aboriginal culture in Western Australia, Burnett and Klepeis asked: “What would it look like to host Aboriginal students at Colgate and provide them with an experience similar to what Colgate students receive in Australia?” “These experiences would, as a whole, create both a deeper understanding of what Colgate is, what the Colgate environment is like, and what the people of central New York are like,” says Burnett. The program was implemented with these objectives in mind, combining academic lectures with local excursions. “We started with ice-breaking activities run by Outdoor Education, followed by an intergroup dialog session to help us understand each other better,” explains Burnett. The group then embarked on a camping trip to the Adirondacks with Outdoor Education, camping overnight in the high peaks. “Getting to know the students from Curtin was so eye-opening,” says Zabadi. “They had so much wisdom to share about their life experiences, advice for my future, and interpretations of our excursions that were different from mine.” Later, the cohort visited the local Oneida and Onondaga nations. At the Oneida Indian Nation, students were hosted for a day. “We were fed a great meal, and then we were allowed to see a lacrosse game,” says Burnett. The next day, they visited the Onondaga Nation, where they saw the Longhouse and the buffalo field. “Later in the visit, we met with Angela Ferguson, whom Colgate awarded an honorary degree in 2024,” says Burnett. Ferguson’s food sovereignty project, Braiding the Sacred, involves locating, growing, and returning corn, beans, and squash seeds that were thought long-lost to their people. “Meeting the women at the Onondaga Nation farm was a highlight of the exchange,” shares Zabadi. “The love, respect, joy, and healing they put into their work was unlike anything I had seen before.” Though brief, Burnett also reflects fondly on the exchange, hoping that it will inspire understanding. “Understanding can help heal trauma, so I hope that what we did may have helped contribute to that in even a small way,” he says. “And might this be a model for doing it again in the future, maybe with other extended study partners?” News and Updates Faculty & Staff Department of Geography Colgate University students tour Colgate’s campus (Photo by Charlotte Bristol)
- Colgate in the Media: July 2025Colgate in the Media: July 2025 kputman@colgate.edu Colgate University faculty, staff, and alumni regularly provide their expertise and contribute to national and regional media outlets shaping discussions around vital research and current events. ‘We’re in uncharted waters.’ Hacking swamps could curb methane emissions — but side effects are unclear Science, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies Emily Ury It’s darker than darkness — Rogue dark star defies the laws of the universe The Pulse, Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy Cosmin Ilie What a 1964 Book About American Anti-Intellectualism Can Teach Us About the Trump Era LitHub, Donald M. and Constance H. Rebar Professor in Humanities, Professor of English Peter Balakian What Does It Mean To Look Like A Leader? Forbes, Hurley Family Chair, Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Neuroscience Spencer Kelly Factors to Consider Before Joining Greek Life U.S. News & World Report, Dean of Students Dorsey Spencer Colgate University’s Ho Tung Visualization Laboratory Bridges Ancient Worlds and Modern Understanding Through Immersive Technology Cosm, Technical Director and Designer-Visualization Lab and Planetarium Joe Eakin Why I left the US to build a business in Nairobi Daily Nation, Sally Ngoje ’19 The Rise of AI Will Make Liberal Arts Degrees Popular Again Inc., Bill Winters ’83 What is Mark Murphy’s legacy as Packers president and CEO? ESPN, Mark Murphy ’77 Faculty News Alumni News and Updates Alumni Faculty & Staff
- Two Colgate Students Lead Projects for Peace AbroadTwo Colgate Students Lead Projects for Peace Abroad tmfonda@colgate.edu This summer, Colgate students Harshitha Talasila ’26 and Kajol Luplunge ’28 have been selected as two of 125 recipients of Projects for Peace grants. Accepted from a pool of applicants at partner institutions across the globe, their projects address issues of substance abuse, mental health, and women’s health internationally. To date, there have been more than 2,000 Projects for Peace in over 150 countries — Talasila and Luplunge’s initiatives now join the list. Harshitha Talasila ’26 On July 1, Talasila arrived in Vijayawada, India — the site of her Projects for Peace fellowship and, more personally, her birthplace. “I immigrated from India to the States when I was five,” she explains, “and wanted to give back.” Her project partners with a nonprofit, Young Indians, and centers around the subjects of mental health and drug abuse. An environmental studies and peace and conflict studies double-major, Talasila developed the idea for her project by consulting family members in Vijayawada. She asked, “What is a really pressing issue here?” and became aware of rising drug-abuse cases and a lack of dialogue about mental health, especially in the school system. “In India, these topics are often stigmatized,” she says. “This can lead to a lack of support for individuals, with broader long-standing impacts on a community.” In preparation for her project, Talasila consulted Shaw Wellness Dietitian Allison Bowers and Alcohol and Drug Services Counselor Stephen Elfenbein. Additionally, she spoke to her former advisers with the Dutchess County Youth Council of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., to source public speakers. In association with Young Indians (Yi), each session of her program takes place at a local University or school. There, Talasila and other speakers share information about various drugs, abuse, and associated mental health concerns. “When the project originally started, we weren’t sure if we would get a really strong response,” shares Talasila. “But the minimum class size we’ve had is 150 students.” Following their presentation, Talasila hosts a Q&A with program participants and circulates feedback forms. “A lot of the feedback has been, ‘Hey, no one’s ever talked to us about this,’” she says. “And by the end, I feel like a good majority of our participants walk out knowing more about the topic.” For Talasila, though, the project is about more than education: it’s a step toward long-term change. “We must start at the individual and local community levels to build peace,” she argues. “Peace isn’t just about the absence of conflict — it’s about creating the foundation where communities are able to thrive and support one another.” Kajol Luplunge ’28 In partnership with peers at Clark University and volunteers at Diyo South Asia, an NGO she co-founded with peers in high school, Luplunge’s Project for Peace is based in Sankhuwasabha, Nepal. There, her project is working to address both practical and societal challenges Nepalese women face during their menstrual cycle. “In Nepal, menstruation is often treated as a taboo rather than a physiological process,” explains Luplunge, who co-founded Diyo South Asia to address such concerns. “Some girls don’t make it through school because they don’t have access to proper facilities, leading to higher rates of child marriage and other long-term consequences.” A major directive of Luplunge’s project is to build clean, well-lit, and hygienic bathrooms with proper disposal facilities in two government schools in Sankhuwasabha. By doing so, she and volunteers aim to provide girls with the safety and privacy needed to stay in school during their periods. “We’re also teaching 57 women how to make reusable pads, so they can improve access and share this information with their communities,” she adds. A third phase of Luplunge’s project is reproductive education. “Menstruation shouldn’t be a secret,” she says. By hosting workshops for 400 boys and 500 girls, she aims to spread awareness “not just about biology, but about discussing these topics sensitively and openly.” As Luplunge completes a neuroscience research project in Hamilton, she is continuing to write articles, draft interview questions for local women, and prep slides for the project. “Helping others has always been part of how I grew up,” she says. “This project is specific to the summer, but we’re planning more.” The Projects for Peace program was founded in 2007 with a $1 million investment from Kathryn Wasserman Davis, a philanthropist and longtime advocate for international peacebuilding. Interested Colgate students can apply through the University’s Office of National Fellowships and Scholarships. News and Updates Student Harshitha Talasila leads a workshop on mental health and drug abuse at Velagapudi Ramakrishna Siddhartha Engineering College in Vijayawada, India.
- All NewsMeredith Shapiro ’28 Studies Climate Signals Through Clam ShellsMeredith Shapiro ’28 Studies Climate Signals Through Clam Shells tmfonda@colgate.edu Meredith Shapiro ’28 intends to major in environmental geology, so she’s getting a jump-start on fieldwork experience this summer, completing a research project with Professor of Earth and Environmental Geosciences Paul Harnik and Professor of Physics Rebecca Metzler. As part of a team of student researchers, Shapiro is examining how climate change and algal blooms impact marine life in coastal regions — through the eyes of a specific mollusc species. Within the collaborative project, Shapiro belongs to the Nucula team, examining the Atlantic nut clam (Nucula proxima). Other teams, such as the barnacle team and the bryozoa team, research separate organisms with a similar objective: to discern how climate change impacts trait variation. By considering one species, Shapiro has garnered a detailed understanding of the Atlantic nut clam’s structure. “The clams themselves,” she explains, “are composed of three layers: nacre [also known as mother of pearl], a prismatic layer, and a thin skin-like external layer.” Shapiro’s primary research focus is the nacreous layer, made up of tablets that are each only microns in size. “The size of these tablets has been found to correlate with environmental factors such as pH and temperature in the regions where these shells were formed,” Shapiro says. Such regions, including the Gulf of Mexico and coastal areas along Maine, are monitored by state and federal agencies to support ecosystem health. In the sixth week of her project, Shapiro and her peers met with one of these groups — the Maine Department of Marine Resources — for an immersive research excursion. “We had two days of active fieldwork there, touring nearby labs and collecting samples on a boat,” says Shapiro. On the water, “we dropped a big scientific claw machine down to the bottom of the sea floor to grab sediment, sieving it to remove any excess.” While many of the specimens they gathered were left for the benefit of Maine’s Department of Marine Resources, they brought home samples to analyze and compare to materials gathered by Colgate students in past years, sourced primarily from the Gulf of Mexico. From here, Shapiro and peers will continue to analyze samples from coastal Maine and Mexico to draw greater observations about the Atlantic nut clam species and assess their hypothesis: whether the nacreous layer becomes thicker as coastal waters get warmer. “I am proud to be doing this research,” says Shapiro. “We hope that, from it, we can better understand the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems.” Academics Natural Sciences and Mathematics Research News and Updates Student Department of Earth & Environmental Geosciences Meredith Shapiro ’28
- All NewsTIA Venture Introduces Model to Automate Vanilla FarmingTIA Venture Introduces Model to Automate Vanilla Farming Contributing Writer “Vanilla is everywhere,” says Jahanvi Chamria ’28. “It’s there in chocolate, perfumes, and almost every dessert in some quantity.” So when she and Diya Badola ’25 launched a TIA venture focused on hydroponic farming — a method of growing plants in a water-based nutrient solution without soil — they chose to center their efforts on vanilla: a valued, notoriously delicate crop. Their venture, Shneer Agritech, introduces a fully automated hydroponic system designed to to halve production time and significantly reduce labor costs. Based in Jaipur, India, Shneer Agritech operates on a small plot of land where Chamria and Badola are testing their technologies. A computer science and physics major, Chamria credits “Colgate’s focus on a well-rounded education” for strengthening her ability to “conduct research and grasp new scientific concepts.” For the venture, she has programmed a system of sensors and alarms to water and deliver nutrients to the crop, eliminating the need for human oversight. “With this system, no person has to physically check if everything’s okay,” she explains. “The system just takes care of itself, and it fully automates labor costs.” When pH and carbon dioxide levels fall below a certain threshold, the sensors activate, triggering the delivery of water or nutrients through a network of tubes. Though the crop grows without soil, it is supported by a porous aggregate — in this instance, lava rocks — which allow for proper drainage. The method, Chamria and Badola report, uses “roughly 80% less water than traditional vanilla farming.” “Vanilla is one of the world’s most valuable spices, yet traditional farming is inefficient, costly, and environmentally unstable,” adds Chamria. “Our smart irrigation system ensures precisely timed nutrient dosing, while a built-in filtration unit preserves water purity and reduces waste.” Chamria and Badola’s first batch, harvested this year, consisted of about 16 plants grown in 1.5 years — half the time needed for traditional cultivation. Their larger mission further addresses volatility and exploitation in the global vanilla trade, particularly in Madagascar, where the bulk of the world’s vanilla is produced. “With rising global demand and increasing preference for ethically sourced, premium ingredients, we’re aiming to provide food manufacturers, importers, and fragrance companies with a reliable, high-quality vanilla supply,” says Chamria. In the coming months, the venture will continue to take shape as the team participates in the TIA Summer Accelerator, an eight-week program designed to help students and recent alumni build their ideas into businesses. “We were able to grow one batch, and it turned out pretty well. Now, through TIA, we’re looking at a larger setup,” says Chamria. “Of course, we have a robust, working idea — I’m confident that our TIA mentors will continue to help us transform it into a sustainable business.” Entrepreneurship News and Updates Student tia
- All NewsCounseling and Student Health Services Launch Unified Health Records SystemCounseling and Student Health Services Launch Unified Health Records System tmfonda@colgate.edu A new, unified electronic health records (EHR) system now allows consenting students to receive coordinated care across Colgate’s Health and Wellness (H&W) services. The development is made in an effort to reaffirm the University’s commitment to whole-person health and data security. Spearheaded by Assistant Vice President for Wellness and Director of Counseling and Psychological Services Dawn LaFrance and her H&W colleagues, the new system enables shared HIPAA-compliant communications and access to comprehensive student records. LaFrance praises the EHR as “a way to approach the healthcare that we provide students in a more holistic way.” Headaches, for example, might be a concern that Student Health Services would help with, “but they may also be stress-related,” says LaFrance. “In order to really be thoughtful about the mind and body working so closely together, an integrated system helps us put all of those pieces in place.” To opt in, students arriving in the fall semester must consent to share healthcare communications across their care team, which may include staff from the Counseling Center, Haven, the Shaw Wellness Institute, and Student Health Services. “Students should know that this system does not involve the dean’s office or the faculty — it’s just these four departments,” says LaFrance. Along with the use of this new system, LaFrance adds, “we’re holding more staff meetings to promote shared wellness across departments. The more that we can do those kinds of things, the more that we’ll be able to use each other’s expertise when we’re helping a student.” Campus Life Wellness Faculty & Staff
- All NewsColgate in the Media: June 2025Colgate in the Media: June 2025 kputman@colgate.edu Colgate University faculty, staff, and alumni regularly provide their expertise and contribute to national and regional media outlets, shaping discussions around vital research and current events. Colgate Receives $50M Gift for Its Third Century Campaign Inside Higher Ed Five Alumni Give Colgate University A Record $105 Million Forbes Colgate U. Lands $105 Million for Student Housing Campus The Chronicle of Philanthropy 3 Colgate projects: How do they affect the university and the Village of Hamilton? Observer-Dispatch Is the Trump administration helping ‘viewpoint diversity’ on campus? The academy has something to say Deseret News, President Brian W. Casey Sending Good Vibes Harper’s Bazaar, Artist Devon Cunningham Former Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner on her new book, 'Madam Mayor' Spectrum News 1, Charles Evans Hughes Visiting Chair of Government and Jurisprudence in the Department of Political Science Stephanie Miner This College Student Wanted Privacy - His College Couldn't Give Him Any Hackernoon, Assistant Professor of Computer Science Noah Apthorpe Gotham EDU Film And Media Career Development Program Sets 2025 Cohort Deadline, Isabella Ohrt ’25, Brittany Cohen ’26, Grace Owusu-Amoah ’26, and Shuhei Matsutoya ’28 New York Sirens select Kristýna Kaltounková with No. 1 pick in 2025 PWHL Draft The Athletic, Kristyna Kaltounkova ’25 Antonio Delgado is running for New York governor, challenging Kathy Hochul Gothamist, Antonio Delgado ’99 US president Donald Trump officially nominates new ambassador to Romania Romania-Insider.com, Darryl Nirenberg ’81 Faculty News Alumni News and Updates Alumni Faculty & Staff
- All NewsJennifer Brice to Serve as Gretchen Hoadley Burke ’81 Endowed Chair in Regional Studies for 2025–26Jennifer Brice to Serve as Gretchen Hoadley Burke ’81 Endowed Chair in Regional Studies for 2025–26 sdevries@colgate.edu Professor of English and Creative Writing Jennifer Brice has been appointed to serve as the Gretchen Hoadley Burke ’81 Endowed Chair for regional studies for the 2025–26 academic year. Brice is the author of three books: The Last Settlers, a work of documentary journalism; Unlearning to Fly, a memoir-in-essays; and Another North: Essays in Praise of the World That Is. She teaches courses in creative writing and contemporary literature, including True Crime and Living Writers. This fall, Brice will teach ENGL 374: Creative Nonfiction Workshop, with a focus on writing about place and the natural world, especially in relation to the upstate region of New York. The workshop will include the reading and writing of creative nonfiction, with an emphasis on the memoir and the personal essay. As part of the course, students will also present a community reading of their writing about the region. Robert Cowser’s anthology, Why We’re Here: New York Essayists on Living Upstate, will serve as a central text, along with a selection of writing from The Best American Science & Nature Writing series, as well as some classics of nature writing by such writers as H.D. Thoreau, Wendell Berry, Annie Dillard, John Burroughs, Terry Tempest Williams, John McPhee, and Sherry Simpson. In addition to readings and discussions, students will also journal weekly and conduct research to create essays of their own as part of a final portfolio of a single or several shorter essays. Brice plans to use the funding and support provided to the Burke Chair to create additional opportunities for the students taking the course, including inviting local experts and colleagues in the biology, geology, geography, and environmental studies departments to speak about the natural history of the region. The course will also include a weekend of hiking and canoeing at Camp Colgate in September with Brice’s students in ENGL 217: Introduction to Creative Writing. At the conclusion of the course, Brice said she plans to include a public reading by the students in downtown Hamilton and produce an anthology of the best student writing from the semester. The Gretchen Hoadley Burke ’81 Endowed Chair for Regional Studies was established in 2006 by Stephen Burke ’80 and Gretchen Hoadley Burke ’81. The Burke Chair aligns with the mission of the Upstate Institute to promote and advance a broad and deep understanding of the diverse cultural, social, economic, and environmental resources of upstate New York through community-based research, the reciprocal transfer of knowledge, and civic engagement. Academics Arts and Humanities Faculty News Research Centers and Institutes People Faculty & Staff Upstate Institute Department of English and Creative Writing
- All NewsColgate students join 2025 Gotham EDU Film and Media Career Development ProgramColgate students join 2025 Gotham EDU Film and Media Career Development Program Contributing Writer Four Colgate students have joined the summer 2025 cohort of The Gotham EDU Film and Media Career Development Program, The Gotham’s seven-week program for launching undergraduates into the media workforce with mentorship, candid industry insights, comprehensive resources, and support in developing their selected projects. Isabella Ohrt ’25, Brittany Cohen ’26, Caiden Williams ’26, Grace Owusu-Amoah ’26, and Shuhei Matsutoya ’28 will engage with an expanded 2025 curriculum, which spans pitching, nonprofit management, film festival strategy, entrepreneurship, and representation. Open conversations and workshops will allow them and their fellow students to seek out opportunities and carve a strategic path into the media industry. Students explore one of six focused tracks through conversations with industry professionals in their field of interest: Narrative Filmmaking, Documentary Filmmaking, Television and Episodic, New Media and Entrepreneurship, Executive Leadership, and Multi-Hyphenate Work. In previous EDU cycles, session leaders have included independent filmmakers as well as representatives from companies such as Netflix, CAA, PBS, MACRO, and ColorCreative. “With the new programmatic tracks, students will gain hands-on experience tailored to their goals — setting them up for the next step in their careers,” said Kia Brooks, The Gotham’s deputy director. The Gotham EDU Film and Media Career Development Program runs from June 16 to August 1. The first career development program was held with 22 students in 2020. The summer 2025 program will be the seventh edition with 37 students representing 20 colleges and universities. It will continue to be run virtually to improve access for students across the country. The program is supported through corporate, philanthropic, and institutional support, which covers the full cost of tuition. “Gotham EDU continues to open the door for emerging talent, offering students a rare opportunity to engage directly with working professionals at a formative moment in their creative lives,” said Jeffrey Sharp ’89, The Gotham’s executive director. “Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters and partners, the program has grown into a vital launchpad for the next generation of storytellers and film and media executives, with alumni already making their mark across the industry.” The student participants will also have the opportunity to attend this year’s Gotham Week. Select students will participate in shadowing opportunities with companies, including Storm City Films, through the Executive Ambassador track. The program now has 153 alumni representing 35 schools. They have gone on to work at A24, Apple, Amazon Studios, CBS News, HBO Documentaries, Letterboxd, PBS Kids, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Showtime Networks, Nickelodeon, Nike, NBC Universal, Paramount, and the United Talent Agency (UTA). Academics Arts and Humanities Arts Career Development News and Updates Student Film and Media Studies Program Photo by Laura Barisonzi
- All NewsJane Pinchin, One of Colgate’s First Female Professors and Academic Leaders, Has DiedJane Pinchin, One of Colgate’s First Female Professors and Academic Leaders, Has Died rdowning@colgate.edu Jane Lagoudis Pinchin, whose legacy as a teacher-scholar and administrative leader touches nearly every aspect of the University, died on Sunday, June 15. Pinchin first came to Colgate in 1965 for a single year as an instructor, joining the first wave of full-time female faculty members at the University. After receiving her PhD from Columbia University, she returned to the English department in 1973 as an assistant professor, eventually becoming a full professor in the department. She went on to serve in several significant positions in the administration, including provost and dean of the faculty (1994–2001) and vice president for academic advancement (2002–05). She also led the University itself as interim president during the 2001–2002 academic year. As noted in a citation marking her retirement from Colgate as Thomas A. Bartlett Professor of English emerita in 2015, Pinchin’s colleagues counted on her wisdom and her deep commitment to education for more than 40 years. Pinchin led two academic divisions (University Studies and Arts and Humanities); founded the Manchester Study Group; oversaw the revision of the Liberal Arts Core Curriculum; pioneered the creation of Category I faculty appointments; and worked to establish the Women’s Studies Program, extended study and linked course programs, the Upstate Institute, and the Max A. Shacknai Center for Outreach, Volunteerism, and Education. She also served as acting director of the Picker Art Gallery (2003–05), chair of the Department of English (2005–13), and as a member of Colgate’s Bicentennial Committee. Pinchin made distinguished contributions as a scholar and teacher. Her book Alexandria Still: Forster, Durrell, and Cavafy is an enduring work of scholarship that was first published in 1977, with a new edition in 1989 and a Spanish edition in 2005. Her teaching included departmental courses on the Brontës, E.M. Forster, and Virginia Woolf; Contemporary Fiction; and the General Education course in modernity. She also led the London English Study Group. For many years, alongside her English department colleague Professor Jennifer Brice, Pinchin co-taught the Living Writers course, which allows students, parents, alumni, and community members to engage in conversation with world-renowned authors. Pinchin was also an active volunteer in several capacities, including the Community Memorial Hospital Board of Directors in Hamilton and the Bowdoin College Board of Trustees. Colgate’s Alumni Corporation created its Humanitarian Award in her honor in 2003. She received a Maroon Citation from the Alumni Corporation; the French, Alumni Memorial, and AAUP Professor of the Year awards; and special tributes from the classes of 2002 and 2011. She received an honorary doctor of letters from Colgate in 2018. In 2019, after an anonymous donation from a family who wished to recognize the essential work of the Colgate faculty, a new residence hall on the upper campus was named in her honor. Pinchin held a bachelor’s degree from Harpur College at Binghamton University and master’s and PhD degrees from Columbia University. Her husband Hugh M. Pinchin, who had been a professor of economics at Colgate, predeceased her. Faculty News People News and Updates Faculty & Staff JPinchin Department of English and Creative Writing Faculty, students, and alumni gathered on March 4, 2022, to recognize Jane Pinchin for her leadership at Colgate, particularly during the early years of coeducation. (Photo by Andrew Daddio)
- All NewsMonica Crowley Sworn in as Chief Protocol of the United StatesMonica Crowley Sworn in as Chief Protocol of the United States tmfonda@colgate.edu On May 30, Monica Crowley ’90 was sworn in as Chief of Protocol of the United States. In this role, she will represent the administration at major events hosted by the United States, including America’s 250th Birthday (2026), the FIFA World Cup (2026), and the Olympic Games in Los Angeles (2028). Crowley’s appointment follows her nomination by President Trump, announced in December 2024. Her prior work for the administration began during his first term, when she served as a deputy national security advisor and went on to become assistant secretary for public affairs in the Department of the Treasury. For her work in the latter position, she earned the Alexander Hamilton Award, the highest honor bestowed by the department. As a complement to this work, Crowley has appeared as an anchor and analyst for the Fox News Channel and written three books about American politics. A political science major at Colgate, she also holds a doctorate in International Relations from Columbia University. Alumni Alumni
- All NewsColgate Celebrates 2025 Graduate School Access Fund StudentsColgate Celebrates 2025 Graduate School Access Fund Students sliddell@colgate.edu Since its founding in 2020, the Graduate School Access Fund (GSAF) at Colgate University has transformed the futures of more than 100 students. Designed to support low-income, first-generation, and historically excluded students, the fellowship provides financial assistance, individualized advising, and a strong sense of community to those aspiring to pursue graduate and professional school. On May 1, faculty, staff, students, and donors gathered to celebrate the newest cohorts of GSAF juniors and seniors. Milone Family Assistant Vice President for Career Initiatives and GSAF co-director Teresa Olsen captured the spirit of the occasion. “We’ve sat together, we’ve shared tears, we’ve shared stress, we’ve shared celebrations and excitement,” she said. “It has just truly been a pleasure to be able to get to know each of you and be able to see just a little part of your life.” The GSAF was launched through the generosity and vision of Giovanni Cutaia ’94 and Maree Cutaia. The couple partnered with Career Services, the Office of the Provost and Dean of the Faculty, and a faculty co-director to address the structural barriers that often stand between talented students and their dreams of graduate study. Since that time, the program has benefited from the generosity of multiple donors. At the 2025 celebration, Cutaia reflected on the program’s beginnings. “In 2020, my wife, Maree, and I approached President Brian Casey and others at the University,” he said. “We knew we didn’t have all the answers, but we knew there were amazing people here with powerful ideas. We simply wanted to help provide the resources to make those ideas happen and have a positive impact.” The result is a fellowship that offers more than just funding for standardized test preparation, applications, and travel. It also provides a community for students to share ideas and concerns about applying to graduate school as an underrepresented student. The cohort engages in holistic advising that spans a student’s junior and senior years and teaches fellows the process of preparing for and competing in graduate school admission, as well as learning to thrive as a graduate student. Fellows can access funding support for up to two years after graduation. This structure reflects a core belief of the program: each student’s path and timeline is unique and has validity. That commitment is reflected in the newest GSAF cohorts, whose academic pursuits stretch across disciplines. Among the 2025 fellows, Ta’Von Amir is creating a self-designed major in metaphysical arts and hopes to transform graduate studies in music into a “stage where healing is clarified, digested, and strummed.” Classmate Jose Arriaza, a geography major and grassroots organizer, will blend sound-design work from London with a master’s in media studies. Leila Bekaert will draw on experience at the Cannes Film Festival and archival internships to pursue film preservation and post-production, beginning with an internship with the Oral History Department at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The 2026 fellows show similar breadth and depth. History major Oscar Brown documents overlooked LGBTQ+ histories and curates museum exhibitions in preparation for graduate work in queer public history. STEM-focused students include Brennan Donnelly, who is on a medical school path, and Nayda Farnsworth, who aims for a PhD in combinatorics and graph theory after conducting research in Japan and at national laboratories. GSAF co-director Brenda N. Sanya, associate professor of educational studies, urged students to recognize the often-unseen efforts of their peers, cohort, and mentors. “You are all standing on the shoulders of those who have mentored, advised, cheered you on, and helped you reach this point,” she said. “Congratulations on your brilliant work and in all that you’re preparing to do next, but never forget your peers and mentors.” GSAF applications open in late fall 2025 for members of the Class of 2027. Learn more. Third Century Outcomes News and Updates Alumni Student
- All NewsVillanova to Join Patriot Football in 2026Villanova to Join Patriot Football in 2026 jdoroshenko@co… Villanova will join the Patriot League in 2026 as an associate member for football, the league announced on Thursday. Read more. Athletics Student
- All NewsColgate in the Media: May 2025Colgate in the Media: May 2025 kputman@colgate.edu Colgate University faculty, staff, and alumni regularly provide their expertise and contribute to national and regional media outlets, shaping discussions around vital research and current events. Alum gives Colgate $50M, largest gift in university’s history Syracuse.com The Gotham Sets Fellows for 2025 Festival De Cannes Producers Network Program Deadline With Roots in Place, the New York Sirens Can Finally Build and Grow The Hockey News, Kristyna Kaltounkova ’24 Who is Monica Crowley? Trump’s new chief of protocol The Times of India, Monica Crowley ’90 Who is Darryl Nirenberg? Trump picks next US ambassador to Romania The Times of India, Darryl Nirenberg ’81 Meet the man behind the NFL schedule, on the verge of his retirement The Athletic, Howard Katz ’71 ‘Let your heart lead you’: Red Sox legend to speak at Stonehill’s graduation ceremony The Patriot Ledger, Joe Castiglione ’68 As Trumps Monetize Presidency, Profits Outstrip Protests The New York Times, Charles A. Dana Professor of Political Science Emeritus Michael Johnston Faculty News Alumni News and Updates Alumni Faculty & Staff Photo by Mark DiOrio
- All NewsRepatriation and Reconciliation: The Carrolup Artworks Return to ColgateIn honor of Colgate’s Bicentennial year, the Picker Art Gallery is hosting a special traveling exhibition, Koolanga Boodja Neh Nidjuuk (Children Looking and Listening on Country), through June 30. The post Repatriation and Reconciliation: The Carrolup Artworks Return to Colgate first appeared on Colgate University News.
- All NewsGrafters X Change Builds Community ResiliencyGrafters X Change: Branches and Networks brought together Colgate and local community members, eco-artists, and activists to foster creative community resiliency. The post Grafters X Change Builds Community Resiliency first appeared on Colgate University News.
- All NewsNew Arts Initiative Promotes Inclusive Music SceneThe Mat transforms the flexible, open space of Parker Commons into a vibrant venue where student and professional artists come together to perform music for the community. The post New Arts Initiative Promotes Inclusive Music Scene first appeared on Colgate University News.
- All NewsCentury of Progress / Sleep: A Multi Media Adventure in the Vis LabApril 4–6 marked the campus debut of hybrid media artist Paul Catanese’s avant-garde opera Century of Progress / Sleep. The Ho Tung Visualization Laboratory was transformed for the production. The post Century of Progress / Sleep: A Multi Media Adventure in the Vis Lab first appeared on Colgate University News.
- All NewsLeading in the Arts Panel Considers Access, Opportunity, and ResponsibilityWhat does leadership in the arts mean to you? How do you consider your audience and the larger public? What are your responsibilities of what to represent? Lynn Schwarzer, professor of art and art history and film and media studies, posed these questions to a group of professionals representing a variety of fields in the panel discussion “Leading in the Arts.” The post Leading in the Arts Panel Considers Access, Opportunity, and Responsibility first appeared on Colgate University News.
- All NewsOpera Explores Untold History of Upstate New York’s Women’s Suffrage MovementA performance of the opera Pushed Aside: Reclaiming Gage, on Matilda Gage’s efforts — alongside those of Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton — for women’s right to vote, made its way to campus on March 24. The post Opera Explores Untold History of Upstate New York’s Women’s Suffrage Movement first appeared on Colgate University News.
- All NewsHybrid Media Artist Paul Catanese Prepares for Century of Progress/SleepPaul Catanese, hybrid media artist from Chicago and this year’s Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation Artist-in-Residence, recently completed a slate of technical workshops, open rehearsals, video shoots, and class visits as part of his residency at Colgate. The post Hybrid Media Artist Paul Catanese Prepares for Century of Progress/Sleep first appeared on Colgate University News.
- All NewsColgate Alumni Dominate Academy Awards’ 2019 Best Documentary CategoryWhile nearly two decades separate their time at Colgate, Julie Cohen ’86, Chris White ’91, and Matt Renner ’01 will find themselves under the same roof on February 24: as executive co-producers and directors for films nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 2019 Oscars. The post Colgate Alumni Dominate Academy Awards’ 2019 Best Documentary Category first appeared on Colgate University News.
- All NewsColgate Filmmakers at Sundance Film Festival'Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile' and 'Hail,Satan?' premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. The post Colgate Filmmakers at Sundance Film Festival first appeared on Colgate University News.
