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The Hamilton community gathered en masse in Wellin Hall on Sept. 24 for the Hamilton College Bicentennial Assembly. The Assembly featured speakers representing members of all parts of the College community. Speakers addressed Hamilton’s distinguished past, bright future and the elements that make the College a truly unique institution. The event served as a keynote feature of the weekend that kicked off the yearlong celebration of Hamilton’s first 200 years.

The dedication of the Edward and Virginia Taylor Science Center was a joyful celebration of the Taylors’ generosity coupled with recognition of Hamilton’s commitment to science education and liberal arts values. The naming ceremony, a highlight of the college’s bicentennial kickoff weekend, was held in the center’s atrium on Friday, Sept. 23.

Bicentennial Colleges and tours continued on Saturday of Kickoff Weekend. Faculty authors read from their works; Professors Douglas Ambrose and Robert Martin discussed the life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton; and Professor Rick Werner talked ab out the idea of happiness as put forth in the Declaration of Independence.

“Glorious.” “What an unforgettable weekend.” “An incredible gathering.” In this gallery, photos from the Bicentennial Kickoff Weekend attempt to convey all that words can’t.

Among the Bicentennial Kickoff celebration weekend activities were more than 30 Bicentennial colleges and tours. Besides several dedicated to the life and times of Alexander Hamilton, these lectures and historical tours covered topics ranging from the Archaeology of Hamilton College to Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility.  Student writers attended the Colleges throughout the weekend to provide a glimpse of the range of topics covered.  Following are synopses of a few that took place on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 22 and 23.

Encouraging students to live and work with passion has been a theme of the Career Center this year. The five panelists of the Careers in Entrepreneurship event on Thursday, Sept. 22, epitomize careers based on a balance of passion and smart decision-making. These alumni shared their experiences and advice in a panel discussion sponsored by the Career Center.

Hands on Hamilton History will debut on Thursday, Sept. 22, with an exhibit related to Samuel Kirkland.  Each month, Hands on Hamilton History will feature a small group of documents, artifacts and visual materials relating to a specific period in the history of the College. A brief discussion of these materials will take place at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Patricia Pogue Couper Research Room, third floor Burke Library.