Welcome, Colgate Class of 2029
Welcome, Colgate Class of 2029
sliddell@colgate.edu
Members of the Class of 2029 began their college journey this week, stepping onto campus for the first time as students and adding their voices to the traditions that have defined Colgate for generations. Among the leaders, artists, scientists, and storytellers are a future physician from Brooklyn, a theater enthusiast from Arizona, and an Eagle Scout from California who has already inspired her community. Coming to Colgate from Success Academy in New York City, Chelsea Jean ’29 is already a standout in both science and the arts. Her community in Brooklyn instilled in her the importance of working together and building strong bonds, both values she is eager to bring to Hamilton.Although STEM-driven, Chelsea balances her love of science with creative passions like painting, crocheting, and photography. She hopes to major in biochemistry to prepare for a career in medicine.I knew the remote location of Colgate would forge stronger bonds between students, as shown through the alumni network. So I’m excited to join a close-knit community at Colgate. Chelsea Jean ’29
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Chelsea also joins Colgate as an Alumni Memorial Scholar, eager to deepen her academic foundation while pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor. Clara Jean Kelly ’29 represents Clinton High School — just down the road from campus — where she excelled both athletically and musically. A figure skater and cellist, she also interned at the mayor’s office and City Hall in nearby Utica, contributing to community service projects that strengthened her leadership skills.At Colgate, Clara plans to study international relations to prepare for a future in business while continuing to pursue her passions for music and service.What excites me the most about choosing Colgate is the opportunity that I believe Colgate can provide for me in personal and academic growth. I look forward to meeting new people and experiencing new things. Clara Jean Kelly ’29
Central N.Y.
She also hopes to study abroad and join new clubs.From the vibrant, multicultural community of Irvine, Calif., Parmida Sadat Mirkarimi ’29 brings with her an openness to diverse perspectives and a drive to combine science with creativity.An Office of Undergraduate Studies (OUS) Scholar, Parmida plans to double major in biochemistry and humanities. She also has entrepreneurial ambitions and a love for music.Colgate has a strong sense of community. Everyone here truly wants you to thrive, and the alumni are so incredibly kind and generous that I could immediately picture myself growing both academically and personally with that support. Parmida Sadat Mirkarimi ’29
Irvine, Calif.
She sees storytelling through music, visuals, or even a playlist as a vital way to connect people, a value she looks forward to carrying into her time at Colgate.For Antonius Robello ’29, the journey to Colgate began with a gap year dedicated to pursuing his passion: theater. After being admitted in 2024, he deferred his enrollment to direct, act, dance, and even coach others in performance.I’m hoping to make friends and learn how to direct in a creative way to get people to think more. Antonius Robello ’29
Tucson, Ariz.
Now an OUS scholar, Antonius plans to double major in psychology and theater.The tight-knit Latinx community and food culture of his hometown of Tucson remain central to his identity, and he looks forward to bringing that perspective to Colgate’s stage and beyond.Charlotte Sandford ’29 has always embraced challenges with determination and optimism. An Eagle Scout, she credits outdoor adventures with teaching her resilience, teamwork, and the joy of finding strength in unexpected moments.Living with cerebral palsy, Charlotte has consistently pushed past barriers, shaping her into a leader and role model in her community. At Colgate, she looks forward to exploring courses in Asian studies, history, language, and psychology while building meaningful relationships with classmates and professors.My experiences in scouts challenged me to push my physical limits and taught me how to find joy in the unexpected. Charlotte Sandford ’29
Berkeley, Calif.
She was drawn to Colgate by the warmth of the students she met during her visit and by the University’s wide-ranging academic offerings, which she sees as opportunities to both grow and contribute.Hailing from the Bay Area, Natalia Martell ’29 values the diversity of her community and brings that same openness to Colgate. As one of the first young women to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout — alongside a classmate from her high school — she has a strong record of service and leadership.At Colgate, she plans to explore film and media studies, sociology, and economics, driven by her interest in how media shapes the world.I chose Colgate because I love the balance between a rigorous academic curriculum and the wide variety of extracurricular opportunities. I hope to grow both as a student and as a person, while preparing to make a meaningful impact beyond campus. Natalia Martell ’29
Orinda, Calif.
View the Class of 2029 profile for additional details. News and Updates
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Faculty & Staff
Student
Members of the Class of 2029 arrive on campus (photo by Mark DiOrio)
Members of the Class of 2029 began their college journey this week, stepping onto campus for the first time as students and adding their voices to the traditions that have defined Colgate for generations. Among the leaders, artists, scientists, and storytellers are a future physician from Brooklyn, a theater enthusiast from Arizona, and an Eagle Scout from California who has already inspired her community.
Coming to Colgate from Success Academy in New York City, Chelsea Jean ’29 is already a standout in both science and the arts. Her community in Brooklyn instilled in her the importance of working together and building strong bonds, both values she is eager to bring to Hamilton.
Although STEM-driven, Chelsea balances her love of science with creative passions like painting, crocheting, and photography. She hopes to major in biochemistry to prepare for a career in medicine.
I knew the remote location of Colgate would forge stronger bonds between students, as shown through the alumni network. So I’m excited to join a close-knit community at Colgate.
Chelsea Jean ’29 Brooklyn, N.Y.
Chelsea also joins Colgate as an Alumni Memorial Scholar, eager to deepen her academic foundation while pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor.
Clara Jean Kelly ’29 represents Clinton High School — just down the road from campus — where she excelled both athletically and musically. A figure skater and cellist, she also interned at the mayor’s office and City Hall in nearby Utica, contributing to community service projects that strengthened her leadership skills.
At Colgate, Clara plans to study international relations to prepare for a future in business while continuing to pursue her passions for music and service.
What excites me the most about choosing Colgate is the opportunity that I believe Colgate can provide for me in personal and academic growth. I look forward to meeting new people and experiencing new things.
Clara Jean Kelly ’29 Central N.Y.
She also hopes to study abroad and join new clubs.
From the vibrant, multicultural community of Irvine, Calif., Parmida Sadat Mirkarimi ’29 brings with her an openness to diverse perspectives and a drive to combine science with creativity.
An Office of Undergraduate Studies (OUS) Scholar, Parmida plans to double major in biochemistry and humanities. She also has entrepreneurial ambitions and a love for music.
Colgate has a strong sense of community. Everyone here truly wants you to thrive, and the alumni are so incredibly kind and generous that I could immediately picture myself growing both academically and personally with that support.
Parmida Sadat Mirkarimi ’29 Irvine, Calif.
She sees storytelling through music, visuals, or even a playlist as a vital way to connect people, a value she looks forward to carrying into her time at Colgate.
For Antonius Robello ’29, the journey to Colgate began with a gap year dedicated to pursuing his passion: theater. After being admitted in 2024, he deferred his enrollment to direct, act, dance, and even coach others in performance.
I’m hoping to make friends and learn how to direct in a creative way to get people to think more.
Antonius Robello ’29 Tucson, Ariz.
Now an OUS scholar, Antonius plans to double major in psychology and theater.
The tight-knit Latinx community and food culture of his hometown of Tucson remain central to his identity, and he looks forward to bringing that perspective to Colgate’s stage and beyond.
Charlotte Sandford ’29 has always embraced challenges with determination and optimism. An Eagle Scout, she credits outdoor adventures with teaching her resilience, teamwork, and the joy of finding strength in unexpected moments.
Living with cerebral palsy, Charlotte has consistently pushed past barriers, shaping her into a leader and role model in her community. At Colgate, she looks forward to exploring courses in Asian studies, history, language, and psychology while building meaningful relationships with classmates and professors.
My experiences in scouts challenged me to push my physical limits and taught me how to find joy in the unexpected.
Charlotte Sandford ’29 Berkeley, Calif.
She was drawn to Colgate by the warmth of the students she met during her visit and by the University’s wide-ranging academic offerings, which she sees as opportunities to both grow and contribute.
Hailing from the Bay Area, Natalia Martell ’29 values the diversity of her community and brings that same openness to Colgate. As one of the first young women to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout — alongside a classmate from her high school — she has a strong record of service and leadership.
At Colgate, she plans to explore film and media studies, sociology, and economics, driven by her interest in how media shapes the world.
I chose Colgate because I love the balance between a rigorous academic curriculum and the wide variety of extracurricular opportunities. I hope to grow both as a student and as a person, while preparing to make a meaningful impact beyond campus.
Natalia Martell ’29 Orinda, Calif.
Latest Latest
- Colgate University Opens Peter’s GlenColgate University Opens Peter’s Glen mcwalden@colgate.edu Colgate University has opened Peter’s Glen, a new 2.5-acre, landscaped corridor that connects both campus landmarks and academic buildings at one of America’s great national liberal arts institutions. Members of the Colgate community can now move directly from the doors of Bernstein Hall and the Dana Arts Center in Middle Campus up to the Academic Quad, following a pathway of remarkable beauty, designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (MVVA). This project has been made possible by the glen’s namesake, Peter L. Kellner ’65, P’87, GP’16,’19, who fully funded the work to create the new campus landmark. The internationally renowned landscape architecture firm MVVA has partnered with the University on several projects in recent years, including the Burke-Pinchin quadrangle and hillside (now the site of First Sunset and Senior Sunset); the Bicentennial Tree planting in the Academic Quad and around campus; landscape design for the Robert H.N. Ho Mind, Brain, and Behavior Center; new pedestrian walkways; and the site and landscape designs for Benton Hall and Bernstein Hall. Beyond its work with Colgate, MVVA is known for Brooklyn Bridge Park, the restoration of Harvard Yard, the transformation of the Wellesley College and Princeton University campuses, and the designs for the grounds of the presidential centers of Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Construction of Peter’s Glen began in March 2024 and continued into 2025 with the installation of stone walls and oak terraces by Little Hall, heated precast stairs, extensive stonework, and hardscape plazas and pathways. The project called for the planting of nearly 500 trees, more than 500 native shrubs, and thousands of smaller understory plants. In the years before the creation of Peter’s Glen, stormwater flowed from multiple pipes out of the hillside above the Dana Arts Center and Bernstein Hall and flooded the undersized storm system at the bottom of the hill. Increasing the piped drainage system and managing the flow of water will now alleviate flood events on Lally Lane and along Taylor Lake and improve the conditions of Payne Creek: The stormwater channel carries runoff from rain and snowmelt through terraced bluestone pools and cascades. At times it runs dry, but it is both functional infrastructure and a defining, ephemeral site feature. The large vehicle traffic circle by Frank Dining Hall has now been converted into a new upper plaza for improved pedestrian safety, ease of access, and a greater natural connection with the surrounding landscape. The plaza features stone pavers, boulder seat walls, new site lighting, and tree and understory plantings. A new lower plaza at the south side of Ryan Studio connects the project’s main stairway and pathways to Colgate’s new Bernstein Hall. These plazas provide new campus locations for gathering and studying. “Years of planning, design, and construction have culminated in this final month of work,” said project manager Katy Jacobs, “which sees us achieving final completion ahead of schedule and on budget.” Peter’s Glen is just the latest example of Peter Kellner’s extraordinary generosity, which has included the funding of the Peter L. Kellner Third Century Chair in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics and the Peter L. and Maria T. Kellner Endowed Chair in Arts, Creativity, and Innovation. He has also supported financial aid by funding the Peter L. Kellner ’65 Family Endowed Scholarship Fund, among other campus projects. During Reunion 2025, Colgate announced the launch of the West Campus Initiative, made possible in part through a new $60 million gift from Kellner — the largest single gift in Colgate history. That support has helped bring total fundraising in The Campaign for the Third Century to more than $745 million.Alumni Third Century Campus Life News and Updates Alumni Faculty & Staff A view from the top of Peter’s Glen (Photo by Mark DiOrio)
- Colgate’s Campaign for the Third Century Reaches $745 MillionColgate’s Campaign for the Third Century Reaches $745 Million rtaurisano@col… Colgate University’s Campaign for the Third Century closed the 2024–25 fiscal year with strong momentum, adding $143 million in new gifts and commitments and bringing the campaign total to $745 million in support of the University’s priorities. Read more. Alumni Third Century News and Updates AlumniPhoto courtesy of Mark DiOrio
- Oscar Quintanilla ’28 Asks, ‘Why Don’t Frogs Get Fevers?’Oscar Quintanilla ’28 Asks, ‘Why Don’t Frogs Get Fevers?’ tmfonda@colgate.edu Since his first semester at Colgate, Oscar Quintanilla ’28 has worked alongside Assistant Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences Anzela Niraula to research the neural and immune mechanisms of tadpoles. Sponsored by Colgate’s Science and Technology Accelerated Research Scholars (STARS) program, his project now continues into the summer, as Quintanilla and fellow researcher Ella Duchnowska ’26 investigate a shared research question: Why don’t frogs get fevers? Founded in 2022 by Professor of Biology Krista Ingram, the STARS program supports first-generation college students and students from high schools offering limited science preparation by pairing them with faculty mentors early in their time at Colgate. During the academic year, they receive 4–6 hours of weekly work-study experience that may carry into the summer. A neuroscience major on the pre-med track, Quintanilla is also active in the Minority Association of Pre-Med Students (MAPS) and the neuroscience club. Accordingly, his research project “exists at the intersection of immunology and neuroscience.” Under Professor Niraula’s mentorship, he’s testing how differences in thermoregulation, or the ability to control body temperature, shape immune responses in frogs compared to humans. “Warm-blooded species maintain a constant internal temperature using energy from food,” says Quintanilla. “But cold-blooded species, like frogs, rely on external sources like the sun. That actually affects how they handle infections.” In humans, a fever is one of the body’s foremost immune defenses — an internal temperature spike that helps eliminate bacteria. “Bacteria like our normal body temperature, but if it gets hotter inside, they can’t do their work,” says Quintanilla. Frogs, however, can’t generate heat on their own. Instead, they seek it out. “They’ll move to warmer environments to help fight off infection,” he explains: a behavior the group expects to observe in the lab. There, infected frogs naturally gravitate toward warmer water. Using a population of over 90 tadpoles, the team is also studying whether microglia, the brain’s waste-clearing immune cells, play a role in the metamorphic changes that take place as tadpoles become frogs. Through immunohistochemistry, a technique that uses antibodies to visualize proteins in tissue samples, Quintanilla has begun analyzing frog brain matter to probe that question further. “Collecting and analyzing slices is so rewarding,” he says, sharing his aspiration to pursue a future career as a neurosurgeon. “It helps me build on my surgical skills, and in the long term, it’ll be a form of experience.” Natural Sciences and Mathematics Research News and Updates Student Psychological and Brain Sciences
- Ekra Hoque ’26 Investigates Food Safety in BangladeshEkra Hoque ’26 Investigates Food Safety in Bangladesh tmfonda@colgate.edu This summer, Ekra Hoque ’26 has taken her biochemistry training home to Bangladesh, where she’s investigating a critical public health issue: food safety. At BRAC University in Dhaka, she’s exploring what it’s like to conduct scientific research in the place where she hopes to build her future career. Hoque’s experience is supported by Career Services’ Summer Internship Funding program, which is designed to help offset related expenses. Her host institution, BRAC University, was established in 2001 by Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, the founder of BRAC, one of the world’s largest nongovernmental organizations. Modeled on the American liberal arts college system, the university shapes future leaders who can balance academic excellence with empathetic leadership. At BRAC, Hoque joined a large microbiology lab to investigate the quality and safety of food commonly sold in open-air markets — “where affordability often comes at the cost of hygiene,” Hoque says. “Many people in Bangladesh, especially those living in poverty, rely on these markets for daily food, but they’re not always safe.” Her research involved collecting items such as fruits, dates, grains, and nuts, and testing them for microbial and fungal contamination. “When I started off, I was looking for aflatoxins,” Hoque says. These are spores produced by fungal growth on food that can have toxic effects. But as her testing commenced, she found these and more: gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, lactose fermenters and non-fermenters. “While some of these microbes occur naturally in the human body, they may pose health risks when consumed in large quantities through contaminated food,” says Hoque. “I think that, with further research, we’ll be able to better understand how these microbes affect consumers.” Along the way, Hoque has learned several new lab techniques, including culturing cells, PCR (polymerase chain reaction), and ELISA, a test used to detect specific bacteria and fungi. “Working in a large, high-volume lab environment was such an educational experience for me,” she adds. “I had to keep up with the pace and, many times, work independently. My long-term goals include coming back to Bangladesh and working as a professor here, conducting research.” Short term, Hoque and her BRAC colleagues hope to build on this work by collecting hospital data and exploring the broader correlations between food contamination and public health in Bangladesh. “Through this work, we hope to raise awareness and explore safer, more sustainable alternatives,” says Hoque. Visit Career Services online for more information about summer internship funding at Colgate. Academics Research Career Development News and Updates Student Department of Chemistry Ekra Hoque ’26
- 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)