Senator Joseph A. Griffo sponsored a resolution into the legislative record of New York State on Wednesday, May 23, recognizing the college's bicentennial celebration. Senator Griffo said, "I'm pleased that I could join President Joan Hinde Stewart, the staff, students, alums and supporters of Hamilton College in sharing tremendous pride in commemoration of this event." A video of the event at which the Senator introduced President Stewart and Vice President Richard Tantillo is available on the Senator's website.
The resolution reads as follows:
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and commend those exemplary institutions of higher education within the State of New York for their enduring commitment to the pursuit of academic excellence; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its longstanding traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the Bicentennial of Hamilton College of Clinton, New York, on Saturday, May 26, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Hamilton College was originally founded in 1793 as the Hamilton-Oneida Academy, the vision of the Reverend Samuel Kirkland to educate the children of the Oneida Indians and of the white settlers streaming into the region in search of new opportunities in the wake of the American Revolution; and
WHEREAS, The Hamilton-Oneida Academy was re-chartered in 1812 as Hamilton College by the Regents of the University of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Hamilton College's history has been both long and eventful and the College has remained steadfast in its adherence to a classical liberal arts curriculum; and
WHEREAS, Early students entering Hamilton College were expected to enter well-prepared in Greek and Latin; throughout their stay, students continued to receive generous instruction in those languages, as well as in philosophy, religion, his
tory and mathematics, with a great emphasis on rhetoric and elocution; and
WHEREAS, In 1978, all-male Hamilton College merged with all-female Kirkland College, which had been established 10 years earlier adjacent to the Hamilton campus; and
WHEREAS, Today, Hamilton College proudly stands as the third oldest college in New York, the 31st oldest college in the country, and one of the country's most highly regarded institutions of higher education; and
WHEREAS, Hamilton College boasts numerous notable graduates from throughout New York State, some of whom include: Elihu Root, Class of 1864, U.S. Senator, Secretary of War, Secretary of State, and Winner of the 1912 Nobel Peace Prize; William M. Bristol, Class of 1882, Co-Founder, Bristol-Myers Co.; Sol M. Linowitz, Class of 1935, Ambassador to the Organization of American States, Chairman of the Board of Xerox, Co-Negotiator of the Panama Canal Treaties, and Recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom; and James S. Sherman, Class of 1878, Vice President of the United States, and U.S. Congressman; and
WHEREAS, As Hamilton College celebrates its 200th Anniversary, it stands in fulfillment of the proud legacy of its namesake and original trustee Alexander Hamilton and is poised for success for many years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the Bicentennial of Hamilton College of Clinton, New York, on May 26, 2012; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tranmitted to Joan Hinde Stewart, President, Hamilton College, Clinton, New York.
