Academics | Colgate Memorial Chapel , Basement
Colgate’s Heretics Club lunch discussion series was created to elevate the conversation on campus about life’s “big questions.”Our spring 2025 theme: We Disagree! (But We Do It Well!)Discussions begin at noon in the Chapel Basement.Lunch is provided. All are welcome!FEB 6th: Building Trust Across Difference How do we engage across difference in productive ways? In a time of intense polarization, this can seem impossible, but it is more important than ever. Join us for a conversation with Simon Greer, social entrepreneur and founder of Bridging the Gap.FEB 20th: Disagreeing Well with Our Political “Frenemies” Do you have friends whose politics you disagree with? Join us for a student-hosted conversation about ideological bubbles, political frenemies, and the importance of cultivating relationships with people who see the world differently than you.MARCH 6th: Disagreeing Well in the University (feat. President Casey!) Colgate’s mission statement focuses on the importance of cultivating open inquiry, mutual understanding, and a broadened perspective. Join us for a conversation with our own Brian Casey, who will talk about the key role that “civil disagreement” plays in this mission.APRIL 3: What Does It Look Like to “Disagree” with Yourself? Have you ever experienced a dramatic change in your worldview? How did you make sense of it? Join us for a conversation with Sohrab Ahmari, editor of UnHerd and author of From Fire, By Water: My Journey to the Catholic Faith (2019) and Tyranny Inc.: How Private Power Crushed American Liberty—and What To Do About It (2023).APRIL 24th: Disagreeing Well Across Religious Difference Religious differences have created some of humankind’s most longstanding disagreements. Join us for a conversation with Colgate’s Chaplains, Rabbi Barry Baron and Imam Ahmet Celik, about disagreeing well across religious difference

Academics | TBD
With Xiaozhong Sun, Visiting Assistant Professor of GeographyThis study explores the impact of administrative adjustments on local economic development in post-reform China by examining the consequences of upgrading counties to county-level cities (CheXianSheShi), a process that significantly alters local governance structures. Using advanced econometric techniques and a unique spatial dataset, the research reveals unexpected negative effects on economic growth rates in upgraded areas. The findings highlight the complex interplay between administrative restructuring, fiscal decentralization, and economic performance, demonstrating that such political processes can have unintended consequences on local development. This talk will discuss the implications of these findings for the political-driven urbanization process and the institutional design of effective decentralization strategies for territorial making in China and beyond.

Academics | Arts at the palace
Colgate University has embarked on an ambitious plan for the future, to attract and support outstanding students and faculty, strengthen the university’s academic enterprise, enrich the student experience, and improve the campus and the environment. In this presentation, President Casey will focus on the plans for the campus and the impact on the greater Hamilton community.Presenter: Brian W. Casey is the 17th President of Colgate University and has served since his inauguration in 2016.

Academics | Ho Science Center, 101
NAST invites you to the Anthony Aveni Lecture Series with Dr. Victor Montejo. Lecture details will be forthcoming.Victor Montejo (Jakaltek Maya from Guatemala) is a renowned socio-cultural anthropologist, scholar, novelist, poet, activist, journalist, and important Maya public intellectual, specializing in Mesoamerican Indigenous cultures. Montejo's work integrates discourses on human rights, migration, Indigenous worldviews, and sustainable development. His contributions to understanding indigenous worldviews, such as the Popol Vuh, have been crucial in centering non-Western perspectives in academia through publications such as, Voices from Exile, Maya Intellectual Renaissance, and Mayalogue: An Interactionist Theory of Indigenous Cultures. He served as Guatemala’s Minister of Peace and a congressman, where he championed Indigenous rights, including establishing the National Day of Indigenous People of Guatemala and advancing reparation programs for civil war victims. Dr. Montejo also co-founded the American Anthropological Association's Commission for Human Rights, oversaw the implementation of Guatemala's peace accords as Minister of Peace, and continues to advocate for Indigenous self-representation through his leadership in the pan-Maya movement. As a Fulbright Scholar and award-winning writer, Montejo’s efforts have helped bridge Indigenous and Western perspectives and have worked to decolonize scholarship more broadly.

Academics | Lathrop Hall, 207
"Brain Sculpting: Creating optimal neural networks and functions with experience-based neuroplasticity" presented by Kelly Lambert, MacEldin Trawick Chair and Professor of Behavioral Neuroscience and 2024-25 Phi Beta Kappa National Visiting Scholar Program.Considering that our brains change from the womb to the tomb, it is critical to understand how life experiences alter neural functions. The ability to change our minds and our brains---known as neuroplasticity---is one of our most valuable "superpowers." A discussion of neuroplasticity research will span from the earliest "enriched environment" rodent studies to current research focusing on tuning brains for optimal functions throughout our lives. Over a half-century of research has identified fascinating neurobiological tools that the brain uses to adapt to our changing worlds. Knowledge that the brain can also change in maladaptive ways serves as a potent reminder that we should be mindful of our brain's experiences throughout our lives. Co-sponsored by Phi Beta Kappa and Mind, Brain, and Behavior Initiative. Reception to follow.

Academics
Throughout the weekend, enjoy performances, workshops, and receptions with faculty, students, and campus guests that underscore Colgate's Third-Century commitment to arts, creativity, and innovation.