Colgate Reflects on the Past While Envisioning the Future During Reunion 2025 rtaurisano@col… Tue, 06/03/2025 - 11:50 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

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

Panel Brings Local, State, and Regional Perspectives on ‘Poverty, By America’ to Colgate sdevries@colgate.edu Wed, 05/21/2025 - 15:53 State and regional experts with decades of social services experience recently visited Colgate to share their perspectives on the issues raised in Matthew Desmond’s book Poverty, By America as they work to provide support to those struggling to meet basic needs locally and across New York State.  The April 22 panel was moderated by Michael Fitzgerald, the 2024–25 Gretchen Hoadley Burke ’81 Chair in regional studies in the Department of Economics, and featured Rajni Chawla, executive deputy commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), Paul Brady, executive director of New York Public Welfare Association (NYPWA), and Daniel Auwarter, social services commissioner for Chenango County. Sponsored by the Upstate Institute and the Department of Economics, the panel provided an opportunity to hear directly from those who deal with state and local poverty issues on a daily basis. The panelists also discussed the impact of proposed federal cuts to social services and the roles government, nonprofits, and individuals play in reducing poverty. Chawla explained how the OTDA runs the state’s social welfare programs to help those who are unable to meet their basic needs for food, shelter, and clothing, by providing programs to support 3 million state residents daily. She also outlined several state budget proposals to help combat poverty, including the expansion of New York State’s child tax credit for more than 2.75 million children, increased funding to improve maternal and infant health, and funding for universal free school meals, which are included in the state’s recently passed budget. “There is a lot that has been done, but we have a long way to go. I don’t think we can emphasize enough that the richest country on earth has such a high level of poverty,” Chawla said. “I think we have to work collectively to find ways to make sure federal, state, and local governments have the capability to make certain rule changes. Change is very difficult, but it is absolutely required given where we are currently.” As local districts face proposed federal cuts to many social service programs, Brady said his work through the NYPWA attempts to mitigate some of that uncertainty by monitoring pending changes and getting accurate information for commissioners. Brady said some commissioners have told him these federal cuts are already taking place — including reduced or eliminated funding for community-based organizations, reduced food and winter heating assistance, and HUD grant reductions — forcing counties to find ways to make up the difference in their budgets. Brady also took issue with federal government claims that Medicaid will not be cut, noting proposals such as additional work requirements, even though 92% of those on Medicaid are currently working, and many are either children, elderly, or disabled. “If you make it more difficult, people will drop off, but that’s the intention here,” he said. Brady believes individuals can also help fight poverty through the choices they make every day. “Think about where you spend your money and what organizations you do business with — what are their policies, how do they treat their employees, what wages do they pay? That should really be a factor when you consider buying something through a retailer,” Brady said, noting workers often turn to public assistance to fill in the gaps when employers offer low pay and benefits. “Wouldn’t it be better instead of just increasing their profit margin that they actually compensated their employees at a level that allowed them to be able to step away from public assistance and programs? Where you shop can have an impact on that.” In his role as one of the state’s 62 social services commissioners supported by the NYPWA, Auwarter shared his perspective on local poverty issues faced in nearby Chenango County — including the ongoing lack of affordable housing and a rise in the number of children experiencing homelessness. Auwarter said New York has one of the lowest homeownership rates in the country, and Chenango County is no exception. Auwarter said he agreed with a lot of what Desmond says about the shaming of poverty and the inability of a country as rich as ours to do more to eradicate poverty. He shared a quote from Desmond’s book: “Significantly expanding our collective investment in fighting poverty will cost something …The scarcity mindset shrinks and contorts poverty abolitionism, forcing it to operate within fictitious fiscal constraints.” Officials often respond to poverty issues with a strong desire to do more, Auwarter said, but claim an inability to do so due to financial constraints. “In a lot of situations you find we do have the money to do it, we’re just choosing by policy to spend in certain ways,” he said. N.Y. State is unique in that its constitution specifically states that the aid and care of those in need is a responsibility of the state, and Auwarter said his role as social services commissioner is also mandated to facilitate those services. He said “welfare state” is often used in a derogatory way to describe the state, but he’s proud of being part of a state with such a strong commitment to supporting social services for residents. Fitzgerald said he chose panelists who could share their personal experiences and insights on poverty issues, to build on the previous Colgate programming related to the 2024 Community Reads selection Poverty, By America — including Desmond’s visit to campus this past fall and a faculty reaction panel to the book’s themes. Fitzgerald said there has been a lot of discussion at Colgate about poverty related to Desmond's book, “but what was missing was the voices of those who do this work every day.” In addition to organizing the panel, Fitzgerald also taught two courses during his tenure as Burke Chair, including ECON 230: The Economics of Poverty in the United States this spring with W. Bradford Wiley Professor of International Economics Nicole Simpson. Fitzgerald recently retired as the Madison County Department of Social Services (DSS) commissioner. In his more than 30 years working for Madison County, he has frequently partnered with Colgate and the Upstate Institute on projects related to local and regional poverty, such as the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.  The Gretchen Hoadley Burke ’81 Endowed Chair for Regional Studies was established in 2006 by Stephen Burke ’80 and Gretchen Hoadley Burke ’81. The Burke Chair aligns with the mission of the Upstate Institute to promote and advance a broad and deep understanding of the diverse cultural, social, economic and environmental resources of upstate New York through community based research, the reciprocal transfer of knowledge, and civic engagement.   Academics Arts and Humanities Social Sciences Faculty News Research Centers and Institutes People Faculty & Staff Upstate Institute(From left) Daniel Auwarter, social services commissioner for Chenango County, speaks during a panel discussion April 22, 2025, with Rajni Chawla, executive deputy commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), and Paul Brady, executive director of New York Public Welfare Association (NYPWA) highlighting Local, State and Regional Perspectives on “Poverty, By America.”

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

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

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