New Exhibit Explores Oneida Community Mansion House From the Student Perspective sdevries@colgate.edu Thu, 05/29/2025 - 09:39 On April 30, the Oneida Community Mansion House (OCMH) hosted the opening of “Fresh Perspectives on the Oneida Community Mansion House,” a series of five pop-up exhibits curated by 15 Colgate students in MUSE 310: Curating Public History: Utopia, Sex, and Silver at the Oneida Community Mansion House.  The exhibits focus on the history and stories behind personal possessions, art, books, documents, and other items in the museum’s collection. Students were on hand to explain the events and items they chose to highlight through their research and coursework.  “Working with the Oneida Community Mansion House has offered our students an incredible inside look at historic house museum management and unprecedented access to Oneida Community collections,” said Assistant Professor of History Monica Mercado, who teaches the museum seminar alongside Professor of Art Elizabeth Marlowe, with assistance from OCMH’s director of museum affairs, Thomas A. Guiler PhD.  Starting in January, students began examining historical texts and objects, exploring the Oneida Community’s founding in the 19th century and its transition to silverware manufacturing in the 20th century. As they built their exhibitions, they considered curatorial concerns, including exhibition locations and the physical safety of objects and images that would be on display. Alondra Becerra ’26 and Abby Shadwick ‘25 discuss their exhibit “Charisma Vs. Contracts” during the opening of “Fresh Perspectives on the Oneida Community Mansion House” April 30. The final projects reflect students’ curiosity about the museum’s many stories, including how Oneida Community members created and collected decorative objects to subvert the community’s rules. Leila Bekaert ’25, a film and media studies major and museum studies minor, was drawn to the many personal objects in the collection. Her exhibit, “Belonging and Belongings: Personal Touches within the Mansion House,” is on display in a small “sleeping room” with a very narrow bed and a miniature bureau, furnished much like the bed chambers would have been set up in a typical community bedroom in the 19th century. It features a large scrapbook and a “friendship calendar,” which contains personal notes, drawings, and family photos. “It was like being on a movie set to learn about all this history and then to be in these places,” Bekaert said, adding she felt a personal connection having been able to spend so much time there, including the opportunity to stay overnight. Biology major James Millmore ’27 was drawn to the museum’s many natural and cultural artifacts, including a “Cabinet of Curiosities” intended to foster appreciation and understanding of human society and the natural world. His exhibit, “Knowledge is Power: How the Oneida Community Built and Grew Their Knowledge Base,” co-created with Avery Mathews ’27, reflects the community’s power and influence, derived from its scale, scope, and focus on education. Students also created exhibits that explored how the community was able to prosper for decades without the need for a legal contract, how it transformed into a top silverware manufacturer, and how community members connected with the landscape through leisure activities.  “The Mansion House stands as a powerful reminder of our region’s rich history, and the opportunities it provides for learning, reflection, and engagement are invaluable,” said Julie Dudrick, associate director of Upstate Institute, which supports the seminar. “The Museum Studies class collaboration is a reflection of the same spirit of innovation, community, and shared purpose that defined the original Oneida Community. We are grateful that our students have the opportunity to help carry that legacy forward for future generations with these exhibits.” The exhibits will be open at the Mansion House through the end of the calendar year.  “Seeing Colgate University students interact with the OCMH’s spaces and collections helps us all see the story in fresh ways,” observes Christine Hall O’Neil, executive director of the Oneida Community Mansion House. “We are grateful to Colgate University and the Upstate Institute for supporting this class and for sharing students’ exhibits with the community."    Academics Arts and Humanities Research Centers and Institutes Arts People Faculty & Staff StudentElizabeth Armstrong ’25 speaks with guests about “Industry on Display,” an exhibit exploring the utopian community’s transition to silverware manufacturing during the opening of “Fresh Perspectives on the Oneida Community Mansion House” April 30. 

Panel Brings Local, State, and Regional Perspectives on ‘Poverty, By America’ to Colgate sdevries@colgate.edu Wed, 05/21/2025 - 15:53 State and regional experts with decades of social services experience recently visited Colgate to share their perspectives on the issues raised in Matthew Desmond’s book Poverty, By America as they work to provide support to those struggling to meet basic needs locally and across New York State.  The April 22 panel was moderated by Michael Fitzgerald, the 2024–25 Gretchen Hoadley Burke ’81 Chair in regional studies in the Department of Economics, and featured Rajni Chawla, executive deputy commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), Paul Brady, executive director of New York Public Welfare Association (NYPWA), and Daniel Auwarter, social services commissioner for Chenango County. Sponsored by the Upstate Institute and the Department of Economics, the panel provided an opportunity to hear directly from those who deal with state and local poverty issues on a daily basis. The panelists also discussed the impact of proposed federal cuts to social services and the roles government, nonprofits, and individuals play in reducing poverty. Chawla explained how the OTDA runs the state’s social welfare programs to help those who are unable to meet their basic needs for food, shelter, and clothing, by providing programs to support 3 million state residents daily. She also outlined several state budget proposals to help combat poverty, including the expansion of New York State’s child tax credit for more than 2.75 million children, increased funding to improve maternal and infant health, and funding for universal free school meals, which are included in the state’s recently passed budget. “There is a lot that has been done, but we have a long way to go. I don’t think we can emphasize enough that the richest country on earth has such a high level of poverty,” Chawla said. “I think we have to work collectively to find ways to make sure federal, state, and local governments have the capability to make certain rule changes. Change is very difficult, but it is absolutely required given where we are currently.” As local districts face proposed federal cuts to many social service programs, Brady said his work through the NYPWA attempts to mitigate some of that uncertainty by monitoring pending changes and getting accurate information for commissioners. Brady said some commissioners have told him these federal cuts are already taking place — including reduced or eliminated funding for community-based organizations, reduced food and winter heating assistance, and HUD grant reductions — forcing counties to find ways to make up the difference in their budgets. Brady also took issue with federal government claims that Medicaid will not be cut, noting proposals such as additional work requirements, even though 92% of those on Medicaid are currently working, and many are either children, elderly, or disabled. “If you make it more difficult, people will drop off, but that’s the intention here,” he said. Brady believes individuals can also help fight poverty through the choices they make every day. “Think about where you spend your money and what organizations you do business with — what are their policies, how do they treat their employees, what wages do they pay? That should really be a factor when you consider buying something through a retailer,” Brady said, noting workers often turn to public assistance to fill in the gaps when employers offer low pay and benefits. “Wouldn’t it be better instead of just increasing their profit margin that they actually compensated their employees at a level that allowed them to be able to step away from public assistance and programs? Where you shop can have an impact on that.” In his role as one of the state’s 62 social services commissioners supported by the NYPWA, Auwarter shared his perspective on local poverty issues faced in nearby Chenango County — including the ongoing lack of affordable housing and a rise in the number of children experiencing homelessness. Auwarter said New York has one of the lowest homeownership rates in the country, and Chenango County is no exception. Auwarter said he agreed with a lot of what Desmond says about the shaming of poverty and the inability of a country as rich as ours to do more to eradicate poverty. He shared a quote from Desmond’s book: “Significantly expanding our collective investment in fighting poverty will cost something …The scarcity mindset shrinks and contorts poverty abolitionism, forcing it to operate within fictitious fiscal constraints.” Officials often respond to poverty issues with a strong desire to do more, Auwarter said, but claim an inability to do so due to financial constraints. “In a lot of situations you find we do have the money to do it, we’re just choosing by policy to spend in certain ways,” he said. N.Y. State is unique in that its constitution specifically states that the aid and care of those in need is a responsibility of the state, and Auwarter said his role as social services commissioner is also mandated to facilitate those services. He said “welfare state” is often used in a derogatory way to describe the state, but he’s proud of being part of a state with such a strong commitment to supporting social services for residents. Fitzgerald said he chose panelists who could share their personal experiences and insights on poverty issues, to build on the previous Colgate programming related to the 2024 Community Reads selection Poverty, By America — including Desmond’s visit to campus this past fall and a faculty reaction panel to the book’s themes. Fitzgerald said there has been a lot of discussion at Colgate about poverty related to Desmond's book, “but what was missing was the voices of those who do this work every day.” In addition to organizing the panel, Fitzgerald also taught two courses during his tenure as Burke Chair, including ECON 230: The Economics of Poverty in the United States this spring with W. Bradford Wiley Professor of International Economics Nicole Simpson. Fitzgerald recently retired as the Madison County Department of Social Services (DSS) commissioner. In his more than 30 years working for Madison County, he has frequently partnered with Colgate and the Upstate Institute on projects related to local and regional poverty, such as the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.  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 Social Sciences Faculty News Research Centers and Institutes People Faculty & Staff Upstate Institute(From left) Daniel Auwarter, social services commissioner for Chenango County, speaks during a panel discussion April 22, 2025, with Rajni Chawla, executive deputy commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), and Paul Brady, executive director of New York Public Welfare Association (NYPWA) highlighting Local, State and Regional Perspectives on “Poverty, By America.”

Graduates of Colgate University’s 204th Commencement Urged to Engage in Service and Remain Authentic rdowning@colgate.edu Sun, 05/18/2025 - 13:39 Over a weekend peppered with inopportune rain showers, the Colgate University community celebrated the accomplishments of the graduating Class of 2025, May 16–18. Working around the downpours and drizzle exemplified this class’s personality, whose arrival — having applied to college during the global COVID-19 pandemic, University President Brian Casey reminded them — was a “great and unique act of optimism and hope.” “There is something in you that is deeply optimistic and prepared for wonder,” Casey said during Saturday’s baccalaureate service. “Keep your sense of wonder. In my estimation, the way you do this is to slow down and look, to consider what is happening, and to accept the possibility of awe and gratitude.” Commencement ceremony keynote speaker Julianne Smith, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO, expressed three hopes for the graduates. First, “At a time of considerable global uncertainty…I hope your plans don’t go as planned,” she said. “My plans have been derailed many, many times, and each time they were, what initially felt like disappointment or shock or worry turned into a real opportunity and left me with an important toolkit that has helped me navigate many complex challenges over the years,” Smith explained. “Each time those best-laid plans go awry — as they sometimes do, you’re actually building an arsenal of important skills and traits that only come with experience: like adaptability, resilience, humility, and crisis management. These are the traits that will define who you are as a leader, a colleague, or a member of a team, and shape how you will respond to sudden changes, failure, or a crisis.” At the Sunday commencement exercises in Andy Kerr Stadium, 830 undergraduates were recognized for earning the AB degree and 6 graduate students were awarded a master of arts in teaching.  Smith’s second hope for the graduates was finding time for service. “I’d like you to consider public service in the government. At the moment, public service is being reviled, depicted as waste or as being carried out by people who are unproductive. That’s not what I’ve seen,” she said. “The years I have spent serving at the White House, the State Department, and the Pentagon have been the most rewarding of my career. Those years gave me an overwhelming sense of purpose and pride. Nothing compares to the first time you help solve an intractable problem or get asked by a senior-level official to brief them on an issue you know well.”  For those not interested in public service, she suggested, “Volunteer for a cause close to your heart, join a local board, or mentor someone who’s a few years behind you. Service is not about the size of the stage. It’s about using your skills and energy to lift others up. It’s about choosing purpose over prestige, and impact over credit.”  Smith’s final exhortation: “Find ways to remain authentic and your true selves… the power, the wealth, and the stature that often accompany success can sometimes reshape how you see yourself and how you treat others. Please don’t lose sight of who you are at your core. The most effective leaders I’ve worked with these past thirty years are those who radiate authenticity, leaders like Mark Rutte, the current Secretary General of NATO, who used to bike to work as the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, or Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who got up on stage one evening at a formal reception in Washington and played the drums.  “These small but authentic gestures build trust. It gives others permission to show up fully as themselves. And in a world that’s increasingly shaped by performance, image, and noise, being genuine is not just refreshing — it’s powerful. Above all,” Smith said, “strive to be the leaders we need right now — leaders who listen with empathy, act with integrity, lift others up, and aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo. The world needs your voice, your vision, your commitment. I’m counting on you. We all are.” Class of 2025 830 undergraduates recognized for earning a bachelor of arts (AB) degree 6 awarded a master of arts in teaching (MAT), four with distinction Valedictorian: Jackson Kustell, of Barrington, R.I., summa cum laude, physics major; high honors in physics Salutatorian: Paul Schulze, of Austin, Texas, summa cum laude, mathematics and philosophy majors; high honors in mathematics 39 elected to Phi Beta Kappa 162 Summa cum laude 295 Magna cum laude 152 Cum laude News and Updates Student Commencement 2025

Announcing the 2025–26 Golden Fellows Contributing Writer Tue, 05/13/2025 - 08:41 Colgate Career Services is proud to introduce the 13 newest members of the John A. Golden ’66 Fellowship. Established in 2006, this fellowship supports students pursuing careers in law or medicine with a combination of funding, advising, and professional development. Read more. Alumni Career Development News and Updates Student

Colgate Celebrates 15th Annual 13 Days of Green Celebration sliddell@colgate.edu Mon, 05/12/2025 - 10:53 Colgate University’s Office of Sustainability invited the campus community to unite for the 15th annual 13 Days of Green celebration, April 10–22. This tradition featured a diverse lineup of educational, thought-provoking, and fun events designed to highlight environmental challenges and inspire sustainable action both locally in the Hamilton community and around the world. The celebration coincided with the 55th annual Earth Day. Throughout the series, students, faculty, staff, and alumni engaged in a variety of events hosted in collaboration with campus partners, including ALANA Cultural Center, University Museums, First@Colgate, the Max A. Shacknai Center for Outreach, Volunteerism, and Education, and Chapel House. “Making sustainable changes at the institutional level takes year-round, behind-the-scenes collaboration across campus,” said Julia Sparks, assistant director of the sustainability and program coordinator for the Environmental Studies Program. “While much of our work focuses on digging into data or discussing operational barriers, 13 Days of Green provides an opportunity to celebrate progress, spotlight ongoing gaps, and actively engage the campus community.” The celebration kicked off in the Coop Media Room, with tabling by student groups, live music from student band Without Walter, and Maxwell’s ice cream. Subsequent events ranged from hands-on outdoor activities like the Leave No Trace workshop and hike and sustainable foraging trips, to thoughtful indoor conversations and panels. A screening of The True Cost explored the dark realities of the fast fashion industry, and S-Rep alumni discussed careers in sustainability. Participants also had the opportunity to slow down and connect with nature through events like a forest bird walk, sunrise meditation sessions at Chapel House, and gardening discussions about adapting to an uncertain climate. The Swap and Stitch event, co-hosted by ALANA and First@Colgate, encouraged students to ditch fast fashion by swapping clothes and learning how to repair garments that they already have. The Earth Day Extravaganza on April 18, hosted by the Student Sustainability Council, offered an afternoon of cookouts, live music, and sustainable arts and crafts, celebrating the collective impact of students engaged in sustainability efforts across campus. “By empowering both newcomers to sustainable action and longtime sustainability advocates, our impact goes far beyond what our office could achieve alone,” Sparks noted. “Everyone has a role to play in making our campus better for the long run.” Service opportunities, like the Day of Service on April 19, connected volunteers with local organizations for projects such as invasive plant removal and garden preparation, reinforcing the series’ message that meaningful change begins with local action. A highlight of the series was the Environmental Studies and Oak Awards Ceremony on April 17, which helped to recognize students, faculty, staff, and teams who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to sustainability at Colgate. As Earth Day approached, participants reflected and looked forward. Initiatives like Face Your Waste at Frank Dining Hall on April 22 brought attention to food waste in a striking, visual way. In the span of three hours, Office of Sustainability interns collected and measured a total of 73.6 pounds of post-consumer food waste, displaying mostly intact plates of discarded food to help students see their personal contributions. On the other hand, the talk Finding Climate Optimism When Hope Seems Lost offered strategies for maintaining hope and motivation in the face of daunting climate challenges. Sign up for the Sustainability Newsletter or view event updates online. Opening Celebration with Chapel House's Resident Service Animal, Lily Opening Celebration Forest Bird Walk Swap and Stitch Students Fixing Up Green Bikes Day of Service at the Colgate Community Garden Oak Awards Ceremony Campus Life News and Updates Faculty & Staff Student sustainabilityStudents help to prepare Colgate's Community Garden for a new season during 13 Days of Green. Photo by Mark DiOrio.

Next Up on 13: An Anthropologist’s Field Guide to Intelligent Extraterrestrial Life kputman@colgate.edu Fri, 05/09/2025 - 11:49 On the latest episode of 13, the Russell Colgate Distinguished University Professor Emeritus of Astronomy, Anthropology, and Native American Studies Anthony Aveni discusses his newest book, Aliens Like Us?: An Anthropologist’s Field Guide to Intelligent Extraterrestrial Life. Aveni started teaching at Colgate in 1963 and is widely known as one of the founders of Mesoamerican archaeoastronomy for his research in the astronomical history of the Maya Indians of ancient Mexico.  Aveni was featured in Rolling Stone's list of the 10 best university professors in the country, and he was voted National Professor of the Year by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, Washington, D.C., the highest national award for teaching. At Colgate, he received the 2012 Balmuth Teaching Award, the 1997 Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society Distinguished Teaching Award voted by the Class of 1990. Aveni is a lecturer, speaker, and editor/author of three dozen books on ancient astronomy and has more than 300 research publications to his credit, including three cover articles in Science magazine and key works in American Scientist, The Sciences, American Antiquity, Latin American Antiquity, and The Journal of Archaeological Research. In 2017, after 54 years at Colgate, Aveni retired from teaching full time. In March, Aveni’s newest book, Aliens Like Us?: An Anthropologist’s Field Guide to Intelligent Extraterrestrial Life, was published. “Aveni’s newest work departs significantly from the usual scientific treatment of extraterrestrial intelligence by probing the historical and widely neglected anthropological record, which offers relevant incidents of contact among terrestrial cultures.” Each episode of 13, Colgate’s award-winning podcast, digs into the work of a University community member by asking questions. Episodes highlight the wide array of academic disciplines at Colgate, with interviews featuring faculty from political science, sociology and anthropology, physics and astronomy, women’s studies, English, Africana and Latin American studies, and many more. Find 13 on your favorite podcast platform, including Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Faculty News Faculty Profiles News and Updates Faculty & Staff

Colgate Professor and Students Publish Paper on Cancer Gene KLF4 sliddell@colgate.edu Thu, 05/08/2025 - 11:05 Colgate University Professor of Biology Engda Hagos has once again made headlines not only for groundbreaking cancer research, but also for the collaborative spirit in which it was conducted. A recent publication in Current Issues in Molecular Biology, titled “Krüppel-like Factor 4-Deficient Cells Are Sensitive to Etoposide-Induced DNA Damage,” examines the role of the gene KLF4 in DNA repair and features five Colgate students and alumni as co-authors. For Hagos, the project was years in the making. “In my lab, we try to understand how genomic instability that happens due to the absence of KLF4, a gene that acts as a tumor suppressor, leads to cancer development,” Hagos said. His interest in KLF4 began with earlier studies, which revealed that cancer cells without the gene exhibited increased invasion and higher levels of DNA-damaging free radicals. These findings led Hagos and his students to explore KLF4’s role in DNA repair pathways, a complex process critical to preventing cancerous mutations. The team’s findings were striking: cells containing KLF4 were more capable of repairing DNA after being exposed to the chemotherapy drug Etoposide, suggesting the gene regulates repair-related mechanisms. “These findings provide insight into the DNA damage response and may help guide future therapeutic strategies,” Hagos said. The three-year study included Colgate alumni Elisabeth Pezzuto ’22, Patrick Wertimer ’23, Aidan Conroy ’23, Maxwell Rubinstein ’24, and current senior Hadeel Al Qoronz. Together, they navigated the intricacies of experimental design, data analysis, and scientific writing, often repeating experiments several times to validate their findings. “Experiments don’t always work, and if they do, we need to repeat them many times before they’re ready for publication,” said Hagos. “But I enjoy the hard work, especially from bright young students who tirelessly pursue their goals.” Rubinstein, first author on the article, reflected on the experience with deep gratitude. “This research represents my growth as a student,” he said. “Even after graduation, Professor Hagos and I would spend hours on Zoom working on the paper. It was so rewarding to continue that mentorship.” Now working as an Associate Product Manager at Medline Industries, Rubinstein sees the publication as a culmination of his academic journey. Conroy, who worked on the project during his senior thesis, recalled maintaining cancer cell lines and performing Western blots to analyze DNA repair proteins. “Professor Hagos went above and beyond his duties,” Conroy said. “He pushed us to develop our own questions and hypotheses, cultivating independence while supporting us every step of the way.” Conroy will begin medical school at UMass Chan this summer. For Pezzuto, now a PhD candidate at the German Cancer Research Center, the collaboration was career-defining. “Before meeting Professor Hagos, I was uncertain about a future in science,” she said. “His mentorship pushed me to aim higher. This publication marks my first, and it feels like the launch of my scientific career.” The publication is also a capstone for Al Qoronz, who will graduate this May and hopes to attend dental school. Wertimer, who is set to begin a PhD in neuroscience at Stony Brook University and is currently a research assistant at Rockefeller University. This spring, three of Hagos’s current students — Megan Sullivan ’25, Nicole Rodgers ’25, and Cole Zeh ’25 — presented research at national conferences. They, along with Hagos, are co-authoring a new manuscript expected to be submitted by the end of the year. This study adds to a growing body of research on KLF4 and its role in maintaining genomic stability, but for Hagos and his team, the lasting impact is in the process itself: years of experiments, setbacks, revisions, and persistence. “Good research demands time and patience,” Hagos said. “But in the end, it is rewarding.” Since 2015, Hagos has published seven peer-reviewed articles with 35 Colgate student co-authors. “Colgate is a very unique place for me,” he said. “There are not many other liberal arts colleges that do what we do, and I feel very happy and blessed that I found a place and job where every single day I am excited to come to work.” Academics Natural Sciences and Mathematics Faculty News Research Alumni News and Updates Alumni Faculty & Staff Student Department of Biology Professor of Biology Engda Hagos (Photo by Mark DiOrio)

Sandra Hsu Hnin Mon ’12 Receives NIH Intramural AIDS Research Fellowship mniedt@colgate.edu Wed, 05/07/2025 - 14:44 Sandra Hsu Hnin Mon ’12 has been named as a recipient of the National Institutes of Health Intramural AIDS Research Fellowship (NIAID IARF). She is also an NIH Oxford-Cambridge scholar. The Intramural AIDS Research Fellowship is designed to advance the NIH’s cross-disciplinary research into HIV and AIDS. The program recruits graduate students and postdoctoral researchers from all scientific disciplines to the broad field of AIDS research and provides a funding opportunity for intramural fellows whose work can be directly related to HIV and AIDS. Mon, an international student from Myanmar, majored in molecular biology and was a mentee of Professor of Biology Geoffrey Holm, whose research focuses on mammalian reoviruses. “I knew I wanted to do health-related work back in Myanmar/Southeast Asia,” Mon says. “But thought the only way to do so was via med school. This rapidly changed when I took Prof. Holm’s CORE Outbreaks class, which exposed me to the incredible field of infectious disease epidemiology. He helped me understand how my Colgate training falls in line with a career in public health.” In addition to her student research with Holm, Mon held leadership roles in Colgate’s international community. She also served as a CL and often collaborated with the ALANA Cultural Center. After graduating from Colgate, Mon wanted to gain work experience in molecular research and epidemiology before applying to PhD programs. She worked in a malaria lab for two years — further training as a bench scientist and her first major experience working with the Department of Medical Research in the Myanmar Ministry of Health. Mon then pursued a master of science in public health, focusing on global disease epidemiology and control at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. There, she was able to hone her passion for global epidemiology research and receive a certification in humanitarian health. Mon’s practicum focused on implementation science, which brought her back to Myanmar and Thailand for community-based HIV research. Between her master’s and doctoral studies, Mon continued to work in Myanmar and Thailand with the Johns Hopkins Center for Public Health and Human Rights. She connected with marginalized populations across global settings and expanded her research to the health impacts of humanitarian conflict. She also gained experience in grant writing, another skill that helped her become an NIH Ox-Cam scholar and NIAID IARF fellow. After her PhD, Mon wants to apply to postdoctoral positions that could give her additional opportunities to build upon her current doctoral project. She is also considering policy-related opportunities, such as the Science & Technology Policy Fellowships through the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Ultimately, Mon wants to pursue a career at the intersection of epidemiologic research and health policy, To learn more about the NIAID IARF, the NIH Ox-Cam Scholarship, or other competitive awards, reach out to Meghan Niedt, mniedt@colgate.edu, in the Office of National Fellowships and Scholarships to schedule an appointment. Academics Natural Sciences and Mathematics Alumni Outcomes News and Updates Alumni Department of Biology Sandra Hsu Hnin Mon ’12

Colgate Announces New Residential Commons Co-Directors nhendrickson@c… Tue, 05/06/2025 - 09:18 Colgate University’s Dart Colegrove and Brown Commons are set to welcome new co-directors for the 2025–2026 academic year. Isla Globus-Harris, assistant professor of economics, will assume the role of faculty co-director for Dart Colegrove Commons, and Title IX Coordinator Amy Gordon will step in as staff co-director for Brown Commons. Globus-Harris will succeed Engda Hagos, professor of biology, and will be working with Lou Kaminski, assistant dean of student conduct, who continues in his role as Dart Colegrove staff co-director. Gordon will take over the position previously held by Laura Festine, director of university grants and sponsored research. She will work alongside David McCabe, Richard J. and Joan Head Chair in philosophy, who continues his tenure as faculty co-director of Brown Commons. “I want to thank Engda and Laura for their service to the University and to the Residential Commons,” says Vice President and Dean of the College Paul McLoughlin. “As Residential Commons co-directors, they have gone above and beyond in their efforts to ensure that all Colgate students feel that strong sense of community that makes Colgate such a remarkable place to live and learn. I thank Isla and Amy for carrying that work forward.” Established in 2015, the Residential Commons system serves as a cornerstone for Colgate’s distinctive approach to residential liberal arts education. Brown, Ciccone, Dart Colegrove, and Hancock commons are each named in honor of distinguished members of the Colgate community and are guided by a collaborative leadership team made up of staff, faculty, and students. These teams work together to foster an enriching residential experience and provide a support system for students from the moment they arrive on campus and through their first two years in residence. Globus-Harris earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon and a PhD in economics from the University of California-San Diego, where she specialized in interdisciplinary environmental research. She joined Colgate’s economics department in 2017. “I’m looking forward to engaging with students while bridging residential life and academics,” Globus-Harris says. “Colgate and its students are such a special community to me, and participating in the commons seemed like a great opportunity to connect with our students and contribute to the campus community.” Before joining Colgate in the summer of 2023, Gordon previously worked as a Title IX and equal employment investigator at Drexel University. She received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Michigan and her juris doctorate from American University Washington College of Law. “I love creating community, and an opportunity to do that with students is particularly exciting,” Gordon says. “A place where there will always be something for you to do or people you want to chat with — that’s what I want to continue creating for students.” The completion of the commons system is a focus of the Third-Century Plan, culminating in the future construction of a new fifth commons on the hill. As Colgate continues to invest significantly in enhancing residential education as part of the Third Century Plan, the University will continue to prioritize its mission of providing students with a strong sense of belonging on campus and meaningful connections with both peers and faculty. Campus Life Residential Life News and Updates Faculty & Staff Department of Economics

ABC News Correspondent Stephanie Ramos Speaks on the Art of Storytelling omiller1@colgate.edu Mon, 05/05/2025 - 12:08 From Buffalo to Baghdad, Stephanie Ramos has seen it all — and she’s probably talked about it on your television. As an ABC News correspondent based in New York City, Ramos is at the heart of the TV news industry. She’s also an army reserve major with 23 years of service and a deployment to Iraq under her belt. Ramos visited Colgate on Tuesday, April 8, to discuss her path to success and offer advice to fellow storytellers. Dean of Students Dorsey Spencer and Administrative Department Coordinator Melissa Helmke-Davie collaborated to organize the event, which was sponsored by the Student Media Leadership Fund. Ramos lunched with staff from the Maroon-News, Colgate’s student-run newspaper. She outlined her journey as a reporter, from her time in the NBC page program right after graduate school, to her years in local news markets in Topeka and Kansas City, and finally, to her current position with ABC. That evening, Ramos spoke at the ALANA Cultural Center about the lessons she’s learned throughout her years on the job. She is both a guest anchor for various shows — Good Morning America and Nightline to name just two — and a researcher. Once the station catches wind of a story, Ramos will often travel to a site just hours (if not moments) before going on air. Ramos’ work as a journalist in a fast-paced and demanding industry has shaped her understanding of creativity. “You don’t need endless freedom to be creative,” she says. “You need intention, purpose, focus, discipline, curiosity, and heart. Whether you’re painting, writing, composing, or reporting: the deadlines are not your enemy. Deadlines are important.” But it’s not all about deadlines — it’s also about connection and authenticity, even under pressure. “You’re not just in front of a camera, you’re building bridges of understanding. This is especially important when the stakes are really high,” explains Ramos. “Your creativity is not just an artistic skill. It’s a moral responsibility.” Ramos has gotten to where she is now because of her grit and tenacity, which have helped her not only to impress employers, but also to excel in the field. Ramos’ advice for anyone looking to succeed in the news industry: “You ask the real questions. You listen. You keep going until they give you something honest.” Ramos argues that the best reporters are those who genuinely care about the stories they cover and the people they interview. The secret to storytelling, according to Ramos, is compassion, as well as a commitment to the truth, which can also mean the emotional truth. “Here’s a thing a lot of people get wrong about the news. Every story is somebody’s life. In order to get the right story, the good story, it’s a matter of connecting with that person,” says Ramos. “Having that intention when telling your stories will help you tell a better story. People can tell when you’re being fake. When you learn to make those stories sing, that’s when you tell the truth.” Campus Life News and Updates Faculty & Staff Student ABC News Correspondent Stephanie Ramos (ABC/Heidi Gutman)

Elsa O’Brien ’25 Wins 1819 Award mcwalden@colgate.edu Fri, 05/02/2025 - 17:53 Elsa O’Brien ’25 has won the Colgate Alumni Corporation 1819 Award. The University’s highest student honor recognizes character, scholarship, and service that exemplify the Colgate spirit. It is given each year to a member of the graduating class. O’Brien, a classical studies and English double major from Alameda, Calif., was selected from nominations submitted by students, faculty, and staff. She will serve as the student speaker during the University’s baccalaureate service, held for seniors and their guests on the Saturday before commencement. President Brian W. Casey announced the honor during the University’s annual awards convocation. “Motivated by a love of this community, Elsa is not merely concerned for classmates, professors, and staff members,” Casey said. “Rather, she takes action. It could be as simple as driving a friend up the hill to an exam — or, as pivotal as helping to advance the University’s dedication to freedom of expression by serving on a task force looking at university speech policies.” Currently Student Government Association president, O’Brien previously served as the SGA’s vice president of student engagement and headed up the Student Activities Association. Through campus employment, O’Brien has reached out to current and future classmates — as an ambassador in the Office of Admission, Career Services, and the Office of the President. “I love these positions and enjoy chatting with and calming students and prospective families, collaborating on projects, and working as a team alongside students and staff,” she said. Meanwhile, O’Brien’s academic pursuits earned her the George W. Cobb Award for Outstanding Achievement, membership in the Eta Sigma Phi Classics Honorary Society, the Department of Classics Newton Lloyd Andrews Prize, and multiple appearances on the Dean’s List With Distinction. One nominee noted that, “Elsa is that student in the classroom who has a true thirst for knowledge. She not only loves to learn, but she is drawn to coursework where she can expect to encounter significant academic challenges.” While pursuing her double-major, O’Brien co-curated a library exhibit on ancient and Colgate architecture, took two English senior seminars as a junior, and wrote a senior honors thesis in classics. “None of these experiences were easy, but I would do them again in a heartbeat,” she said. “The classroom will be what I miss the most after graduation, but I can't wait for a lifetime of learning.” Academics Alumni Campus Life People News and Updates Student Department of the Classics Department of English and Creative Writing Elsa O’Brien ’25 (Photo by Mark DiOrio)

Colgate in the Media: April 2025 kputman@colgate.edu Fri, 05/02/2025 - 08:00 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.  Art Seizures at the Met Caused Concern. His Job Is to Address It. The New York Times Elizabeth Marlowe, Professor of Art; Chair, Department of Art, Director, Museum Studies Program As a diplomat, Pope Francis won breakthroughs and faced frustrations The Washington Post Timothy Byrnes, Peter L. Kellner Third Century Chair in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics; Professor of Political Science  Groupthink Explains Defense Department’s Signal Chat Fiasco Scientific American Danielle Lupton, Associate Professor of Political Science; Director of the International Relations Program  7 Cultural Treasures That Were Repatriated History Elizabeth Marlowe, Professor of Art; Chair, Department of Art; Director, Museum Studies Program  Brain-guided convolutional neural networks reveal task-specific representations in scene processing Scientific Reports Bruce Hansen, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience  What the ancient world can teach us about death Los Angeles Times Robert Garland, Roy D. and Margaret B. Wooster Professor of the Classics, Emeritus  In battle of political majorities, Congress outweighs Trump Syracuse.com Michael Hayes, Professor of Political Science, Emeritus Faculty News Alumni News and Updates Alumni Faculty & Staff

Jonathan Turley Advocates for Free Speech in an Age of Rage omiller1@colgate.edu Thu, 05/01/2025 - 17:31 Colgate University’s Center for Freedom and Western Civilization hosted Jonathan Turley on April 22 for a discussion on freedom of speech in the United States. Turley is the J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Professor of public interest law at George Washington University and legal analyst for Fox News. An expert witness before Congress and a prolific writer, his columns appear in newspapers like the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, and he has published in law journals at Duke, Harvard, Georgetown, and more. Turley’s book, The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage, attempts to define free speech and asks why the nation still struggles to exercise it. According to Turley, the book was “30  years in the making” and the first of a planned two-part series, the second of which will explore whether U.S. democracy can survive in the 21st century. Turley takes the viewpoint that free speech is a natural right, and he draws on a variety of disciplines — from art to biology — to support the stance that “we can’t be fully human” without free speech. He also pointed out certain historical figures whom he believes embody free speech. For example, suffragist and communist Charlotte Anita Whitney — someone Turley applauds for being “one of those glorious, unreasonable people who refused to shut up” — was arrested during the Red Scare and charged with syndicalism. “These people are heroes,” says Turley. “The ones we arrested.” What sets the United States apart from other nations, according to Turley, is its commitment to free speech, dating back to the Revolutionary War. Turley calls the First Amendment “the most revolutionary thing we ever produced in this country.” But right now, America is trapped in an age defined by rage, Turley says. “This is not our first, and it will not be our last. Rage is all around us. It comes from both sides, conservative and liberal.” Turley defines rage as “something of a license to say and do things that you would not ordinarily do. It’s addictive. It’s contagious. If you agree with someone, their rage seems righteous, and if you don’t, it’s dangerous.” When the government attempts to regulate rage, Turley says, it threatens the principles upon which the nation is founded. “In history, the greatest danger is not the speech itself. It’s when rage rhetoric becomes state rage — when the government uses the rage in speech to limit it, curtail it, and arrest people who use it,” Turley says. “We’re not defined by the rage. We’re defined by free speech, by the hope that with the help of free speech, we might be able to overcome the things we hate most about each other.” The Center for Freedom and Western Civilization creates spaces for intellectual and civic discourse on campus and is directed by Professor of Political Science Robert Kraynak and Associate Professor of Art Carolyn Guile. Centers and Institutes News and Updates Faculty & Staff cfwc Prof. Jonathan Turley speaks about "Free Speech in an Age of Rage," sponsored by the Center for Freedom and Western Civilization. (Photo by Andrew Daddio.)