Keating Wins 2024 Balmuth Award mcwalden@colgate.edu Wed, 06/26/2024 - 13:58 Caroline (Carrie) Keating, professor of psychological and brain sciences, has been selected as the 2024 recipient of the Jerome Balmuth Award for Teaching. The Balmuth Award was endowed by Mark Siegel ’76, and it is awarded each year to a faculty member whose teaching is “distinctively successful and transformative, recognizing that such distinction can be achieved through a broad spectrum of methodologies ranging from traditional to innovative.” Keating received her BA, MA, and PhD from Syracuse University. She arrived at Colgate University as an assistant professor of psychology in 1981. Her areas of expertise include nonverbal and physiognomic elements of social dominance, influence, power, status, leadership and charisma, initiation and hazing, cross-cultural human development, and more. Keating’s studies have been featured across the country and around the world — in print, on radio talk shows, and on television, including PBS’s Scientific American Frontiers and Dateline NBC, and ABC’s Good Morning America. As an interpreter of social-psychological phenomena, she appeared on ABC’s 20-20 and What Would You Do? At Colgate, Keating has taught an array of courses, including research methods in psychological science and specialty seminars in leadership, social bonds, cross-cultural human development, and nonverbal communication. She also offers presentations and workshops to professional and civic organizations. In a letter of nomination for the Balmuth Award, one current student reflected on Keating’s mentorship. “Her advising has been the perfect balance between being understanding and reasonable but also challenging, which I now believe sets up the best conditions for learning and growth,” the nomination reads. “I’ve gained experience with novel research designs such as eye-tracking with virtual reality headsets and measuring brain waves with EEG nets. I’ve also seen immense growth in my writing abilities.” A colleague who has co-taught with Keating described the ways she brings students fully into the design of the course. “Carrie made the whole class feel like one big team on a shared mission to solve a problem,” the nomination reads. “One of the ways she would do this was to start the class by saying that she was not sure how to do something or to wonder about the best approach for some important decision. I was surprised to see how thoroughly students accepted that responsibility and took ownership of ideas, approaches, and decisions.” A former student noted that Keating’s teaching and mentorship, “transformed my life and have been at the core of any success I have had, which includes being the principal investigator on several grants from the NIH and NSF as well as close to 100 peer-reviewed publications that are all based on the initial lessons that I learned in the classroom and lab working with Prof. Keating.” Keating’s devotion to teaching and to hands-on, deeply engaged student learning led her to work with colleagues on an early proposal for a small center focused on mind, brain, and behavior in Olin Hall. Due in part to Keating’s dedication, the idea eventually grew into the Robert Hung Ngai Ho ’56 Mind, Brain, and Behavior Initiative — a Third-Century Plan priority. “It is clear that Professor Keating’s teaching has transformed her students and colleagues,” says Provost and Dean of the Faculty Lesleigh Cushing. “It has also transformed the shape of this campus.” In recent years, the recipient of the Balmuth Award has spoken at commencement weekend’s baccalaureate ceremony. Beginning with Keating, the Balmuth awardee will serve as an affiliate of the Center for Learning, Teaching, and Research, offering pedagogically focused programming in the year following the award.Faculty News Alumni News and Updates Faculty & Staff Psychological and Brain Sciences Prof. Carrie Keating at the opening of the Robert H.N. Ho Mind, Brain, and Behavior Center in Olin Hall (Photo by Andrew Daddio)

Remembering Howard Fineman ’70 ddevries@colgate.edu Wed, 06/12/2024 - 16:20 Howard Fineman ’70 Legendary newsman Howard Fineman ’70 has died at the age of 75 after a two-year battle with cancer. News of Fineman’s passing was shared by his wife, Amy Nathan on his X account. A stalwart Colgate supporter, Fineman loved his alma mater. Often, Fineman would provide expert counsel with respect to the University’s communications. He pulled no punches and always had the best interest of Colgate at heart. Colgate will be publishing a full remembrance of Fineman in an upcoming issue of Colgate Magazine, but for those curious about his story, visit some of the links below and listen to his 13 podcast episode, where he shares memories of his time on campus and speaks about the years he spent covering national elections as chief political correspondent for Newsweek. 13 Podcast: A Journalist’s Journey with Howard Fineman ’70 Howard Fineman, Former HuffPost Global Editor And Prolific Washington Journalist, Dies At 75 Howard Fineman, political correspondent with analytical eye, dies at 75 Howard Fineman, Veteran Political Journalist and TV Pundit, Dies at 75 Remembering Howard Fineman, 75: Iconic Newsweek writer became a star pundit Biden pays tribute to late journalist Howard FinemanAlumni Alumni Howard Fineman ’70 delivers the commencement address to the Colgate graduating class of 2011.

Students Donate Indigenous-Authored Books to Little Free Libraries in Hamilton tmfonda@colgate.edu Wed, 06/12/2024 - 09:30 In your day-to-day life, perhaps you’ve encountered a Little Free Library: a small, windowed hutch where community members exchange books to enhance access to literature and foster a shared sense of community. Last spring, in Visiting Professor of Native American Studies Tarisa Little’s Indigenous Education course, these sites were the focus of a “little activism” project, in which students each donated a book by an Indigenous author. Professor Little’s students engaged in a semester-long research project to inform their selections. They began their studies with introductory lectures on Indigenous ways of knowledge and early colonial schools. Using the Huron-Wendat Nation as a case study, Professor Little shared her expertise on federally mandated residential and day schools in Canada. These schools, which were built across North America, were designed to assimilate indigenous children into white culture. “During my PhD program, I parsed through archives from the Wendat community and was invited to do some research on their behalf,” says Little, who earned her degree at the University of Saskatchewan in 2023. “And today, even after my studies, I am still involved with their research community, helping them gather their history to share.” By sharing this connection, Professor Little taught her students about the importance of multicultural inclusion in the classroom. “No child is too young to understand the basics of what a residential school is,” says education and psychology major Maggie McCarthy ’27. For her book, McCarthy chose When We Were Alone by David Robertson — an illustrated story of resistance that introduces children to the history of residential schools in Canada. “I’m passionate about teaching reading,” says McCarthy, “And I feel equipped to bring these stories into my future classroom in an informed, sensitive way.” Ben Graham ’25 chose The Tale of Two Teams, a creation legend belonging to the Oneida Indian Nation. After originally reading the story in Professor Meg Gardner’s Ecojustice and Education course, Graham revisited it for the LFL project. “The story evokes the themes of equality and a mutually beneficial relationship between humans and nature,” says Graham, who is an active member of Colgate’s Outdoor Education Program. “It teaches important lessons about inclusion and not judging books by their covers.” These efforts to improve access to Indigenous literature represent what Professor Little calls “little activisms” — small acts with significant impact. Her students learned about the importance of multicultural inclusion in the classroom and encountered an important truth. “Talking with Indigenous people in the contemporary classroom ensures that they are heard and seen for who they are: current members of society,” says Little.Academics University Studies News and Updates Student Native American Studies Program

Colgate Celebrates Past, Present, and Future at Reunion 2024 tmfonda@colgate.edu Thu, 06/06/2024 - 12:47 Last weekend, nearly 2,100 alumni and guests returned to campus for Reunion 2024 to reconnect with longtime friends, reflect on the history of Colgate, and look toward its future. This year marked the anniversaries of several key moments in University history, including the 50th anniversary of graduates in the Class of 1974 — Colgate’s first fully coeducational class. During a Q&A session with alumni, President Brian W. Casey provided a Third-Century Plan update and revealed sketches of the Lower Campus revitalization project. Work begins this month on the first two residences, 66 and 70 Broad St., kicking off a $200 million effort to enhance student and residential life on Colgate’s Lower Campus. “This is the beginning of a long-term project that will transform the way Colgate students live,” says Casey. “We want to ensure that every Colgate student, by the time they’re juniors and seniors, has access to a robust social living experience.” Casey also affirmed the impact of the Colgate Commitment, an initiative in access and affordability, originally launched in 2020. Since its implementation, the commitment has steadily increased its impact, now replacing student loans with University grants for students whose household incomes are less than $175,000 per year and covering additional costs of attendance. Students from households making less than $80,000 per year attend Colgate tuition-free. “Colgate is most fundamentally about people,” says Casey. “We try to bring the best students, faculty, and staff to campus, because when you do that, everything else follows. So, we must have the resources to make sure our financial aid packages are sufficient — that may be one of the most important things we do.” Later, the University welcomed alumni and friends into the new Robert H.N. Ho Mind, Brain, and Behavior Center at Olin Hall, another key Third-Century priority. Throughout the weekend, reunion college events underscored the full scale of the liberal arts experience and celebrated a range of disciplines — from natural sciences to the arts — while also marking key milestones in Colgate history. On Saturday afternoon, alumni gathered to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Upstate Institute. “The Upstate Institute is small but mighty,” said Director Catherine Cardelús, professor of biology and environmental studies. “To create linkages between Colgate and the regional community, we focus on addressing community-identified needs.” Cardelús was joined by this year’s cohort of Summer Field School Fellows, who took to the microphone to describe their projects with several community-serving organizations, including The Center for refugees arriving to Utica and the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum in Peterboro. Many alumni led Reunion College sessions, including Eamon Javers ’94, who recapped an exposé he broke as a senior correspondent with CNBC. In this in-depth conversation, Javers described how he uncovered the story of Xu Yanjun, a Chinese spy who was subsequently convicted in U.S. federal court of trying to steal intel from GE Aerospace. “There are several factors that can cause a person to spy,” says Javers. Money, ideology, compromise, and ego could be to blame, but “in this case, I think it was flattery.” That evening, alumni of the Swinging ’Gates took to the stage for a 50th anniversary concert mirroring Taylor Swift’s Eras tour. Alumni from four eras of the Swinging ’Gates — from the ’70s to the present — performed a few songs each, from “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas & Papas to “Green Light” by Lorde. Reunion 2024 also honored the 50th anniversary of UNIDAD, the forerunner of the University’s Latin American Student Organization. Another key part of each reunion weekend is the annual Alumni Council Awards Ceremony, which recognizes 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. The council also awarded 13 Maroon Citations, the Alumni Corporation Humanitarian Award, and three Ann Yao ’80 Memorial Young Alumni Awards. “I never pictured Colgate being such an important part of my identity five years out,” said Emily Kahn ’19, one of those who received the Ann Yao award. “My Colgate friends are still my best friends.” Following the ceremony, alumni marched down the hill in the Torchlight Procession, led by the Class of 1974. “I was thrilled when I arrived at Colgate and shared a pioneering spirit with the women in my class,” says Sarah Rubinton Laditka ’74, who married Jim Laditka ’73 during her graduation weekend. “My 50th Reunion was a double celebration.”Alumni Third Century Alumni Photo by Mike Roy

Colgate Unveils Plans for Carey Center Contributing Writer Tue, 05/28/2024 - 10:28 A new 65,000-square-foot basketball and volleyball arena will anchor a new athletics quadrangle at Colgate University, replacing the Reid Athletics Center. Construction of the facility, part of the University’s Third-Century Plan initiatives, is slated to begin in February. Named the Carey Center in honor of a lead $23 million gift from the Carey family — Trustee Emeritus Chase Carey ’76, his wife, Wendy, and their children Steve ’12 and Tara ’13 — the new arena will serve as the home for men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball. The facility will also be the first of two buildings planned for an athletics quadrangle that will ultimately replace the existing facilities currently housed in the Reid Athletic Center.Third Century Athletics Campus Life News and Updates Alumni Faculty & Staff Student

Michael Fitzgerald to Serve As Gretchen Hoadley Burke ’81 Endowed Chair in Regional Studies for 2024-25 sdevries@colgate.edu Fri, 05/24/2024 - 09:50 Michael Fitzgerald, recently retired commissioner at the Madison County Department of Social Services (DSS), has been appointed to serve as Gretchen Hoadley Burke ’81 Endowed Chair in regional studies for the 2024–25 academic year. Fitzgerald brings a wealth of practitioner experience, a deep commitment to community, and a strong relationship with the Upstate Institute and Colgate University. “We are particularly excited to have Mr. Fitzgerald on campus as a practitioner of community-based work who will bring a wealth of real-world experience to our faculty and students,” said Upstate Institute Director and Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies Catherine Cardelús. Fitzgerald will team teach ENST 450: Community-Based Study of Environmental Issues with Cardelús in the fall. In the spring, he will co-teach ECON 230: Economics of Poverty with Prof. Nicole Simpson. He has worked with Simpson previously, serving as a resource for her course on poverty and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. He has also worked with Prof. Andy Pattison for his ENST 390 community-based class on rural housing and served on the community board of the Upstate Institute and COVE. Fitzgerald received his bachelor of science from SUNY Brockport, graduating summa cum laude, and his master of public administration degree from Marist College. He joined the Madison County Department of Social Services in 1991, serving as an examiner in the public assistance unit, as a caseworker with the child protective unit, and as director of the income maintenance unit. He was named commissioner in December 2003 and oversaw a staff of 120 with a county budget of $31 million. A member of the nominating committee of the New York Public Welfare Association (NYPWA) board of directors, Fitzgerald also is the co-vice chair of the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) Committee on Medicaid and Human Services. He is the president of the board of directors for Stoneleigh Housing, Inc., a local low-income community housing development agency, and he is vice president of the Madison County Office for the Aging — the agency that serves at-risk seniors in Madison County. Fitzgerald serves on many local advisory boards, including the Oneida City Youth Court, Colgate University Upstate Institute/COVE Community Partner Committee, and the State Integrated Eligibility System Local Workgroup. He is also a past president of the NYPWA, a past member of the board at the Mid-York Child Care Coordinating Council, the Policy Council for Madison County Head Start, and the Madison County Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse board of directors. He has served on numerous committees at the local and state level focusing on the restructuring of public aid and child welfare and its many components to make human services work in Madison County. In 2001, together with Stacy Alvord, MSW, executive director of the Madison County Community Action Program, and Jill Tiefenthaler, PhD, he published a five-year study of how public assistance recipients fared after leaving the welfare roles. The study examined the lives of former welfare recipients and made recommendations for future changes in the public assistance service delivery system. He has also supervised Colgate Upstate Institute Field School Fellows and Colgate student interns at the DSS. 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 Faculty News Research Centers and Institutes People News and Updates Faculty & Staff