- Counseling 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
- Colgate in the Media: June 2025Colgate in the Media: June 2025 kputman@colgate.edu Colgate University faculty, staff, and alumni regularly provide their expertise and contribute to national and regional media outlets, shaping discussions around vital research and current events. Colgate Receives $50M Gift for Its Third Century Campaign Inside Higher Ed Five Alumni Give Colgate University A Record $105 Million Forbes Colgate U. Lands $105 Million for Student Housing Campus The Chronicle of Philanthropy 3 Colgate projects: How do they affect the university and the Village of Hamilton? Observer-Dispatch Is the Trump administration helping ‘viewpoint diversity’ on campus? The academy has something to say Deseret News, President Brian W. Casey Sending Good Vibes Harper’s Bazaar, Artist Devon Cunningham Former Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner on her new book, 'Madam Mayor' Spectrum News 1, Charles Evans Hughes Visiting Chair of Government and Jurisprudence in the Department of Political Science Stephanie Miner This College Student Wanted Privacy - His College Couldn't Give Him Any Hackernoon, Assistant Professor of Computer Science Noah Apthorpe Gotham EDU Film And Media Career Development Program Sets 2025 Cohort Deadline, Isabella Ohrt ’25, Brittany Cohen ’26, Grace Owusu-Amoah ’26, and Shuhei Matsutoya ’28 New York Sirens select Kristýna Kaltounková with No. 1 pick in 2025 PWHL Draft The Athletic, Kristyna Kaltounkova ’25 Antonio Delgado is running for New York governor, challenging Kathy Hochul Gothamist, Antonio Delgado ’99 US president Donald Trump officially nominates new ambassador to Romania Romania-Insider.com, Darryl Nirenberg ’81 Faculty News Alumni News and Updates Alumni Faculty & Staff
- Jennifer Brice to Serve as Gretchen Hoadley Burke ’81 Endowed Chair in Regional Studies for 2025–26Jennifer Brice to Serve as Gretchen Hoadley Burke ’81 Endowed Chair in Regional Studies for 2025–26 sdevries@colgate.edu Professor of English and Creative Writing Jennifer Brice has been appointed to serve as the Gretchen Hoadley Burke ’81 Endowed Chair for regional studies for the 2025–26 academic year. Brice is the author of three books: The Last Settlers, a work of documentary journalism; Unlearning to Fly, a memoir-in-essays; and Another North: Essays in Praise of the World That Is. She teaches courses in creative writing and contemporary literature, including True Crime and Living Writers. This fall, Brice will teach ENGL 374: Creative Nonfiction Workshop, with a focus on writing about place and the natural world, especially in relation to the upstate region of New York. The workshop will include the reading and writing of creative nonfiction, with an emphasis on the memoir and the personal essay. As part of the course, students will also present a community reading of their writing about the region. Robert Cowser’s anthology, Why We’re Here: New York Essayists on Living Upstate, will serve as a central text, along with a selection of writing from The Best American Science & Nature Writing series, as well as some classics of nature writing by such writers as H.D. Thoreau, Wendell Berry, Annie Dillard, John Burroughs, Terry Tempest Williams, John McPhee, and Sherry Simpson. In addition to readings and discussions, students will also journal weekly and conduct research to create essays of their own as part of a final portfolio of a single or several shorter essays. Brice plans to use the funding and support provided to the Burke Chair to create additional opportunities for the students taking the course, including inviting local experts and colleagues in the biology, geology, geography, and environmental studies departments to speak about the natural history of the region. The course will also include a weekend of hiking and canoeing at Camp Colgate in September with Brice’s students in ENGL 217: Introduction to Creative Writing. At the conclusion of the course, Brice said she plans to include a public reading by the students in downtown Hamilton and produce an anthology of the best student writing from the semester. The Gretchen Hoadley Burke ’81 Endowed Chair for Regional Studies was established in 2006 by Stephen Burke ’80 and Gretchen Hoadley Burke ’81. The Burke Chair aligns with the mission of the Upstate Institute to promote and advance a broad and deep understanding of the diverse cultural, social, economic, and environmental resources of upstate New York through community-based research, the reciprocal transfer of knowledge, and civic engagement. Academics Arts and Humanities Faculty News Research Centers and Institutes People Faculty & Staff Upstate Institute Department of English and Creative Writing
- Colgate students join 2025 Gotham EDU Film and Media Career Development ProgramColgate students join 2025 Gotham EDU Film and Media Career Development Program Contributing Writer Four Colgate students have joined the summer 2025 cohort of The Gotham EDU Film and Media Career Development Program, The Gotham’s seven-week program for launching undergraduates into the media workforce with mentorship, candid industry insights, comprehensive resources, and support in developing their selected projects. Isabella Ohrt ’25, Brittany Cohen ’26, Caiden Williams ’26, Grace Owusu-Amoah ’26, and Shuhei Matsutoya ’28 will engage with an expanded 2025 curriculum, which spans pitching, nonprofit management, film festival strategy, entrepreneurship, and representation. Open conversations and workshops will allow them and their fellow students to seek out opportunities and carve a strategic path into the media industry. Students explore one of six focused tracks through conversations with industry professionals in their field of interest: Narrative Filmmaking, Documentary Filmmaking, Television and Episodic, New Media and Entrepreneurship, Executive Leadership, and Multi-Hyphenate Work. In previous EDU cycles, session leaders have included independent filmmakers as well as representatives from companies such as Netflix, CAA, PBS, MACRO, and ColorCreative. “With the new programmatic tracks, students will gain hands-on experience tailored to their goals — setting them up for the next step in their careers,” said Kia Brooks, The Gotham’s deputy director. The Gotham EDU Film and Media Career Development Program runs from June 16 to August 1. The first career development program was held with 22 students in 2020. The summer 2025 program will be the seventh edition with 37 students representing 20 colleges and universities. It will continue to be run virtually to improve access for students across the country. The program is supported through corporate, philanthropic, and institutional support, which covers the full cost of tuition. “Gotham EDU continues to open the door for emerging talent, offering students a rare opportunity to engage directly with working professionals at a formative moment in their creative lives,” said Jeffrey Sharp ’89, The Gotham’s executive director. “Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters and partners, the program has grown into a vital launchpad for the next generation of storytellers and film and media executives, with alumni already making their mark across the industry.” The student participants will also have the opportunity to attend this year’s Gotham Week. Select students will participate in shadowing opportunities with companies, including Storm City Films, through the Executive Ambassador track. The program now has 153 alumni representing 35 schools. They have gone on to work at A24, Apple, Amazon Studios, CBS News, HBO Documentaries, Letterboxd, PBS Kids, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Showtime Networks, Nickelodeon, Nike, NBC Universal, Paramount, and the United Talent Agency (UTA). Academics Arts and Humanities Arts Career Development News and Updates Student Film and Media Studies Program Photo by Laura Barisonzi
- Jane Pinchin, One of Colgate’s First Female Professors and Academic Leaders, Has DiedJane Pinchin, One of Colgate’s First Female Professors and Academic Leaders, Has Died rdowning@colgate.edu Jane Lagoudis Pinchin, whose legacy as a teacher-scholar and administrative leader touches nearly every aspect of the University, died on Sunday, June 15. Pinchin first came to Colgate in 1965 for a single year as an instructor, joining the first wave of full-time female faculty members at the University. After receiving her PhD from Columbia University, she returned to the English department in 1973 as an assistant professor, eventually becoming a full professor in the department. She went on to serve in several significant positions in the administration, including provost and dean of the faculty (1994–2001) and vice president for academic advancement (2002–05). She also led the University itself as interim president during the 2001–2002 academic year. As noted in a citation marking her retirement from Colgate as Thomas A. Bartlett Professor of English emerita in 2015, Pinchin’s colleagues counted on her wisdom and her deep commitment to education for more than 40 years. Pinchin led two academic divisions (University Studies and Arts and Humanities); founded the Manchester Study Group; oversaw the revision of the Liberal Arts Core Curriculum; pioneered the creation of Category I faculty appointments; and worked to establish the Women’s Studies Program, extended study and linked course programs, the Upstate Institute, and the Max A. Shacknai Center for Outreach, Volunteerism, and Education. She also served as acting director of the Picker Art Gallery (2003–05), chair of the Department of English (2005–13), and as a member of Colgate’s Bicentennial Committee. Pinchin made distinguished contributions as a scholar and teacher. Her book Alexandria Still: Forster, Durrell, and Cavafy is an enduring work of scholarship that was first published in 1977, with a new edition in 1989 and a Spanish edition in 2005. Her teaching included departmental courses on the Brontës, E.M. Forster, and Virginia Woolf; Contemporary Fiction; and the General Education course in modernity. She also led the London English Study Group. For many years, alongside her English department colleague Professor Jennifer Brice, Pinchin co-taught the Living Writers course, which allows students, parents, alumni, and community members to engage in conversation with world-renowned authors. Pinchin was also an active volunteer in several capacities, including the Community Memorial Hospital Board of Directors in Hamilton and the Bowdoin College Board of Trustees. Colgate’s Alumni Corporation created its Humanitarian Award in her honor in 2003. She received a Maroon Citation from the Alumni Corporation; the French, Alumni Memorial, and AAUP Professor of the Year awards; and special tributes from the classes of 2002 and 2011. She received an honorary doctor of letters from Colgate in 2018. In 2019, after an anonymous donation from a family who wished to recognize the essential work of the Colgate faculty, a new residence hall on the upper campus was named in her honor. Pinchin held a bachelor’s degree from Harpur College at Binghamton University and master’s and PhD degrees from Columbia University. Her husband Hugh M. Pinchin, who had been a professor of economics at Colgate, predeceased her. Faculty News People News and Updates Faculty & Staff JPinchin Department of English and Creative Writing Faculty, students, and alumni gathered on March 4, 2022, to recognize Jane Pinchin for her leadership at Colgate, particularly during the early years of coeducation. (Photo by Andrew Daddio)
- Monica Crowley Sworn in as Chief Protocol of the United StatesMonica Crowley Sworn in as Chief Protocol of the United States tmfonda@colgate.edu On May 30, Monica Crowley ’90 was sworn in as Chief of Protocol of the United States. In this role, she will represent the administration at major events hosted by the United States, including America’s 250th Birthday (2026), the FIFA World Cup (2026), and the Olympic Games in Los Angeles (2028). Crowley’s appointment follows her nomination by President Trump, announced in December 2024. Her prior work for the administration began during his first term, when she served as a deputy national security advisor and went on to become assistant secretary for public affairs in the Department of the Treasury. For her work in the latter position, she earned the Alexander Hamilton Award, the highest honor bestowed by the department. As a complement to this work, Crowley has appeared as an anchor and analyst for the Fox News Channel and written three books about American politics. A political science major at Colgate, she also holds a doctorate in International Relations from Columbia University. Alumni Alumni
- Colgate Celebrates 2025 Graduate School Access Fund StudentsColgate Celebrates 2025 Graduate School Access Fund Students sliddell@colgate.edu Since its founding in 2020, the Graduate School Access Fund (GSAF) at Colgate University has transformed the futures of more than 100 students. Designed to support low-income, first-generation, and historically excluded students, the fellowship provides financial assistance, individualized advising, and a strong sense of community to those aspiring to pursue graduate and professional school. On May 1, faculty, staff, students, and donors gathered to celebrate the newest cohorts of GSAF juniors and seniors. Milone Family Assistant Vice President for Career Initiatives and GSAF co-director Teresa Olsen captured the spirit of the occasion. “We’ve sat together, we’ve shared tears, we’ve shared stress, we’ve shared celebrations and excitement,” she said. “It has just truly been a pleasure to be able to get to know each of you and be able to see just a little part of your life.” The GSAF was launched through the generosity and vision of Giovanni Cutaia ’94 and Maree Cutaia. The couple partnered with Career Services, the Office of the Provost and Dean of the Faculty, and a faculty co-director to address the structural barriers that often stand between talented students and their dreams of graduate study. Since that time, the program has benefited from the generosity of multiple donors. At the 2025 celebration, Cutaia reflected on the program’s beginnings. “In 2020, my wife, Maree, and I approached President Brian Casey and others at the University,” he said. “We knew we didn’t have all the answers, but we knew there were amazing people here with powerful ideas. We simply wanted to help provide the resources to make those ideas happen and have a positive impact.” The result is a fellowship that offers more than just funding for standardized test preparation, applications, and travel. It also provides a community for students to share ideas and concerns about applying to graduate school as an underrepresented student. The cohort engages in holistic advising that spans a student’s junior and senior years and teaches fellows the process of preparing for and competing in graduate school admission, as well as learning to thrive as a graduate student. Fellows can access funding support for up to two years after graduation. This structure reflects a core belief of the program: each student’s path and timeline is unique and has validity. That commitment is reflected in the newest GSAF cohorts, whose academic pursuits stretch across disciplines. Among the 2025 fellows, Ta’Von Amir is creating a self-designed major in metaphysical arts and hopes to transform graduate studies in music into a “stage where healing is clarified, digested, and strummed.” Classmate Jose Arriaza, a geography major and grassroots organizer, will blend sound-design work from London with a master’s in media studies. Leila Bekaert will draw on experience at the Cannes Film Festival and archival internships to pursue film preservation and post-production, beginning with an internship with the Oral History Department at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The 2026 fellows show similar breadth and depth. History major Oscar Brown documents overlooked LGBTQ+ histories and curates museum exhibitions in preparation for graduate work in queer public history. STEM-focused students include Brennan Donnelly, who is on a medical school path, and Nayda Farnsworth, who aims for a PhD in combinatorics and graph theory after conducting research in Japan and at national laboratories. GSAF co-director Brenda N. Sanya, associate professor of educational studies, urged students to recognize the often-unseen efforts of their peers, cohort, and mentors. “You are all standing on the shoulders of those who have mentored, advised, cheered you on, and helped you reach this point,” she said. “Congratulations on your brilliant work and in all that you’re preparing to do next, but never forget your peers and mentors.” GSAF applications open in late fall 2025 for members of the Class of 2027. Learn more. Third Century Outcomes News and Updates Alumni Student
- Villanova to Join Patriot Football in 2026Villanova to Join Patriot Football in 2026 jdoroshenko@co… Villanova will join the Patriot League in 2026 as an associate member for football, the league announced on Thursday. Read more. Athletics Student
- Colgate in the Media: May 2025Colgate in the Media: May 2025 kputman@colgate.edu Colgate University faculty, staff, and alumni regularly provide their expertise and contribute to national and regional media outlets, shaping discussions around vital research and current events. Alum gives Colgate $50M, largest gift in university’s history Syracuse.com The Gotham Sets Fellows for 2025 Festival De Cannes Producers Network Program Deadline With Roots in Place, the New York Sirens Can Finally Build and Grow The Hockey News, Kristyna Kaltounkova ’24 Who is Monica Crowley? Trump’s new chief of protocol The Times of India, Monica Crowley ’90 Who is Darryl Nirenberg? Trump picks next US ambassador to Romania The Times of India, Darryl Nirenberg ’81 Meet the man behind the NFL schedule, on the verge of his retirement The Athletic, Howard Katz ’71 ‘Let your heart lead you’: Red Sox legend to speak at Stonehill’s graduation ceremony The Patriot Ledger, Joe Castiglione ’68 As Trumps Monetize Presidency, Profits Outstrip Protests The New York Times, Charles A. Dana Professor of Political Science Emeritus Michael Johnston Faculty News Alumni News and Updates Alumni Faculty & Staff Photo by Mark DiOrio
- Career Services Celebrates Student SuccessCareer Services Celebrates Student Success Contributing Writer Career Services celebrates the accomplishments of Colgate students during the 2024–25 academic year. From computer science to law, here are a few highlights. Read more. Career Development Outcomes News and Updates Student
- Colgate Reflects on the Past While Envisioning the Future During Reunion 2025Colgate Reflects on the Past While Envisioning the Future During Reunion 2025 rtaurisano@col… Last weekend, nearly 2,200 alumni and guests returned to campus for Reunion 2025, braving the chilly and damp weather to reconnect with Colgate friends, celebrate milestone achievements, and envision the University’s future together. A nostalgic mood permeated the weekend as the community celebrated the 50th reunion for the Class of 1975 and the 25th reunion for the Class of 2000. The campus radio station, WRCU, marked its 75th anniversary, and Delta Upsilon fraternity celebrated the 160th anniversary of its founding at Colgate. Another notable milestone includes the 60th Anniversary of the Presidents’ Circle, one of Colgate’s leadership giving societies, dedicated to furthering the ambitions of the Campaign for the Third Century. On Friday afternoon, Colgate announced a combined $105 million in gifts to launch the Lower Campus initiative, which imagines the completion of Colgate through the creation of a new campus along Broad Street, weaving together enhanced residential experiences for juniors and seniors and a robust intellectual life, including the future home of the Colgate Union. The effort to complete the Lower Campus will be made possible in part by a gift of $50 million from Peter Kellner ’65, P’87, GP’16,’19 — the largest single gift ever made to Colgate — as well as a significant $25 million gift from Jean-Pierre L. Conte ’85, and gifts of $10 million from Becky Hurley ’81 and Christopher Hurley ’81, P’12,’12; Robert Fox ’59, GP’23,’25; and Stephen Sprague ’72. A diverse offering of reunion college events celebrated notable faculty and alumni and underscored the Colgate spirit that bonds the community together. Attendees heard reflections by alumnae from the Class of 1975 — the second co-educational graduating class; learned about the changing financial aid landscape for the Class of 2029, due in large part to the Colgate Commitment; and heard from Vice President and Director of Athletics Yariv Amir ʼ01 on the upcoming Carey Center project that will meet the needs of the modern Division 1 student-athlete. Alumnae from the Class of 1975 reflected on their undergraduate experiences and life-long friendships during a reunion college session. On Friday evening, the annual Alumni Council Awards Ceremony recognized alumni, faculty, and staff members for outstanding commitment and service to the University. Four alumni received the Wm. Brian Little ’64 Award for Distinguished Service to Colgate: Julia Bergamini Bergeron ’75; Carmine Di Sibio ’85, P’18,’21; Peter L. Kellner ’65, P’87, GP’16,’19; and Joseph P. McGrath Jr. ’85, P’15,’20. The council also awarded 13 Maroon Citations to alumni and four Maroon Citations to staff. Additional awards included the Entrepreneur of the Year, the Alumni Corporation Humanitarian Award, and three Ann Yao ’80 Memorial Young Alumni Awards. Following the ceremony, alumni marched down the hill in the Torchlight Procession, led by the Class of 1975. Under the tents, the mood was joyful as the classes enjoyed the music of Entertainment 151 and Kruel Karma. On Saturday morning, alumni gathered in the chapel for a state-of-the-campus address by President Brian W. Casey. Casey provided historical perspective on the moment currently faced by higher education institutions, while looking to a future where Colgate emerges as a thought leader and model of resilience for the nation. In his address, Casey highlighted three guiding principles for Colgate: access and excellence, academic rigor, and being a community of care. “Nothing sends an institution into obscurity and irrelevance more swiftly than self-satisfaction,” said President Casey. “This moment now affords us a chance to look at what we are and to say weʼre going to be better at all this. We owe this University, its students, its faculty, and all of you a commitment to a transformation that weʼve talked about in the Third-Century Plan.” Alumni heard from President Brian W. Casey during his state-of-the-campus address in the chapel. The rain did not dampen spirits as alumni celebrated throughout the day and night, leaning on their shared memories. The formative relationships made at Colgate live on far beyond the four years spent in Hamilton. “Itʼs the most wonderful feeling in the world that a community youʼve known for more than 50 years will embrace you when you need it,” said Debbie Wallerstein ʼ75. “That is what Colgate gave me, and Iʼll be forever grateful.” Alumni Third Century Alumni
- Colgate University Announces Lower Campus Initiative, $105M in New Gifts for the Student ExperienceColgate University Announces Lower Campus Initiative, $105M in New Gifts for the Student Experience mcwalden@colgate.edu Through the support of a number of significant new gifts, Colgate has announced the launch of a project to create a cohesive Lower Campus along Broad Street. Among the contributions to the project is a gift of $50 million to The Campaign for the Third Century from Peter Kellner ’65, P’87, GP’16,’19 — the largest single gift ever made to Colgate. Read more. Alumni Third Century News and Updates Alumni Faculty & Staff Student
- New Exhibit Explores Oneida Community Mansion House From the Student PerspectiveNew Exhibit Explores Oneida Community Mansion House From the Student Perspective sdevries@colgate.edu 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 ColgatePanel Brings Local, State, and Regional Perspectives on ‘Poverty, By America’ to Colgate sdevries@colgate.edu 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 AuthenticGraduates of Colgate University’s 204th Commencement Urged to Engage in Service and Remain Authentic rdowning@colgate.edu 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
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