- Colgate Expands Mission and Reach of Institutes for Advanced StudyColgate Expands Mission and Reach of Institutes for Advanced Study Contributing Writer Colgate University is broadening the scope of its four major institutes for advanced study to enhance student intellectual engagement with the pressing issues of the day, to expand the engagement of the University to the wider public, and to strengthen connections with alumni and other scholars. “Colgate is a place of serious engagement with the world and the issues before us,” says President Brian W. Casey. “With greater resources and broader mandates, the University’s institutes for advanced study will ensure that faculty, students, and staff can bring their creativity and critical thinking to bear on some of society’s hardest problems.” The expansion aligns with the University’s Third-Century Plan, a long-term roadmap aimed at making Colgate the nation’s finest undergraduate institution. “Shifting from being support sources for faculty research, our institutes have come to join faculty and students in focused, sustained intellectual projects,” says Lesleigh Cushing, provost and dean of the faculty. “We are announcing our intention to broaden the scope of all the institutes.” The Kraynak Institute for the Study of Freedom and Western Traditions In recognition of its 20th anniversary, the former Center for Freedom and Western Civilization has been renamed the Kraynak Institute for the Study of Freedom and Western Traditions, honoring Founding Director Robert Kraynak, professor of political science. Now under the co-directorship of Associate Professor of Art Carolyn Guile and George Carleton Jr. Professor of Philosophy David Dudrick, the Kraynak Institute’s mission is to cultivate intellectual diversity within a liberal arts education. The Kraynak Institute will uphold the ideal of a classical liberal arts education through a rigorous engagement with political theory, intellectual history, and Western traditions. It will also support the study of free speech, free enterprise, and constitutional democracy, and continue its public lectures and summer scholars programs. Additionally, three new forums will be launched for faculty, staff, and students to foster discussion on the themes of “the Past and Future of Democracy,” “Freedom in Public and Private Life,” and “Education for a Good Life and Character Formation for a Good Society.” The annual Constitution Day Debate, now a signature event of the Kraynak Institute, will be held on Sept. 18, featuring a debate between legal scholars Jonathan Turley of George Washington University Law and Michael Klarman of Harvard Law School on whether the nation is in a constitutional crisis. The Lampert Institute for Civic and Global Affairs Thanks to a generous gift from Ed ’62 and Robin Lampert P’10, the Lampert Institute for Civic and Global Affairs will now have a named directorship. W. Bradford Wiley Chair in International Economics Chad Sparber now holds the title of Storing-Hou Director of the Lampert Institute, honoring two faculty members who influenced Lampert when he was a Colgate student. The Lampert Institute will continue its work on global public policy issues through its Changing World Order Initiative and Science, Technology, and Public Policy Initiative. The new gift will also enable new student-facing programs, including a Sophomore Residential Seminar with a travel component to India and summer research fellowships for up to six students to pursue self-directed projects off campus. Picker Interdisciplinary Science Institute The Picker Interdisciplinary Science Institute promotes collaborative research that brings expertise from disparate disciplines to bear on complex scientific problems. Under the new directorship of Professor of Biology and Mathematics Ahmet Ay, the Picker Institute will broaden its scope beyond faculty-only partnerships to include new opportunities for student engagement and public-facing programming. The Upstate Institute Led by Director Julie Dudrick and its faculty director, Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies Cat Cardelús, the Upstate Institute will widen its purview to support community-engaged scholarship beyond the upstate New York region. The institute fosters connections between Colgate and its local community through community-based research and civic engagement. The Upstate Institute recently completed an intensive self-study as part of Colgate’s application for the Carnegie Foundation’s Elective Classification for Community Engagement. This new era for Colgate’s institutes is itself the result of communitywide collaboration and cooperation. “I am appreciative of the many faculty and staff whose energy and creativity are making these new directions possible, and grateful to those alumni whose support allows us to further the mission of our institutes,” Cushing says. Research Centers and Institutes Alumni Third Century News and Updates Alumni Faculty & Staff Student Photo by Mark DiOrio
- Colgate University Accepted Into New England Commission of Higher EducationColgate University Accepted Into New England Commission of Higher Education tokeeffe1@colg… Colgate faculty and staff are ready to take advantage of new opportunities for assessment and peer review that come with the University’s recent acceptance into the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). NECHE is an accrediting agency with more than 200 member institutions, including several Ivy League schools. Colgate must be recognized by an accrediting agency to receive any state or federal funding, and it has to continually meet rigorous standards of quality, integrity, and continuous improvement. “We are excited for the latitude that we will have to reflect on goals, initiatives, and long-term plans, like the Third-Century Plan,” said Dean of Academic and Curricular Affairs Douglas Johnson. Another key benefit, Johnson said, is that NECHE allows affiliation to be based on institution type and values. Many of its members are more similar to Colgate in that they also embrace the liberal arts. Assessment teams that visit Colgate will include faculty and staff from other NECHE institutions, and they’ll better understand the University’s goals and values. “It’s also helpful that, when our faculty and staff serve on assessment teams, they’ll go to peer institutions and potentially learn new practices and methodologies from them,” Johnson added. President Brian W. Casey had tasked a campus committee with exploring the idea of switching from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education to NECHE in 2022. NECHE sent a conditional acceptance letter to Colgate in the fall of 2024, and the transition was completed this summer. “We were excited to learn of Colgate’s interest in considering us as its accrediting agency,” said NECHE president Lawrence M. Schall. “We thought Colgate would be a perfect fit, and that was clearly confirmed by our initial visit and the report of the visiting team.” Colgate will undergo its next comprehensive evaluation by NECHE in the spring of 2029. News and Updates Faculty & Staff Student
- The Tuck Business Bridge Program at Colgate Expands Its SizeThe Tuck Business Bridge Program at Colgate Expands Its Size adeland@colgate.edu Colgate University is nearly doubling the cohort of its Tuck Business Bridge Program at Colgate, from 25 to 40 students, after a successful launch last year. Colgate and the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College formed an institutional partnership in 2024, giving Colgate students access to the rigorous Tuck Business Bridge Program. Through the generosity of Giovanni ’94 and Maree Cutaia, the program will also double the number of students receiving full financial scholarships to attend, from 10 to 20. In doing so, the University will prepare students to be successful candidates for internships and jobs. “We are excited to continue our partnership with Dartmouth College and its Tuck School of Business Administration,” says Colgate President Brian W. Casey. “We received overwhelmingly positive feedback from students last year and look forward to continuing to make this opportunity available to more Colgate students.” The program offers a comprehensive curriculum and a cohort model that fosters connections among students, alumni, and top-ranked Tuck faculty. Courses and modules include business communications and strategy, ethics, marketing, financial accounting, and organizational behavior. Once accepted into the program, participants return to campus for winter break to spend three weeks learning from Tuck faculty in addition to current MBA students who serve as resources for students. Classes are hosted remotely with Tuck’s professors, and student feedback from last year reinforced that gathering in person as a cohort added an important dynamic to the learning environment. Each student is assigned to a team to complete a full analysis of a company, then delivers an in-person capstone case study presentation. These presentations are evaluated by successful Colgate alumni who return to campus for this final event. “Combining the expertise of Tuck faculty with an in-person cohort experience makes this a very unique experience for Colgate students,” said Carolyn Strobel-Larsen, director of entrepreneurship and innovation. “In particular, the focus on group work through the capstone presentations not only helps students build teamwork and public speaking skills but also makes lasting connections with peers.” “The Tuck Business Bridge Program at Colgate is an excellent opportunity for students to gain solid exposure to foundational business concepts and skills. This program provides our liberal arts students a stronger, more competitive advantage when competing for internships in the business arena,” remarked Teresa Olsen, Milone Family AVP for career initiatives. The 2026 Tuck Business Bridge Program at Colgate will be held Jan. 1–16, 2026. The application period is Aug. 29–Sept. 29, 2025. To learn more, join an on-campus info session on September 16, email tuckbridge@colgate.edu, or visit colgate.edu/tuckbridge. Alumni Career Development News and Updates Alumni Student Colgate students deliver presentations during the Tuck Business Bridge Program (Photo by Mark DiOrio)
- Welcome, Colgate Class of 2029Welcome, 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 Alumni Faculty & Staff Student Members of the Class of 2029 arrive on campus (photo by Mark DiOrio)
- All NewsColgate 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)
- All NewsColgate’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
- All NewsOscar 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
- All NewsEkra 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
- All NewsPipcorn 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
- All NewsColgate 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)
- All NewsColgate 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
- All NewsTwo 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 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.
