Recognition of Andy Burns ’78 as the Jeff Little ’71 Volunteer of the Year, President David Wippman’s State of the College address, and students showcasing their talents in everything from science research to choir and orchestra performances made for a busy Fall Weekend at Hamilton.
The combined Fallcoming and Family Weekend brought more than 1,600 parents, alumni and family members to campus for a weekend-long celebration of life on the Hill.
The citation awarded to Volunteer of the Year Andy Burns at a Friday dinner noted that he “has worked tirelessly on behalf of town and gown.” Burns helped establish Hamilton’s Town-Gown Fund, which has invested more than $840,000 to support Clinton schools and local non-profits.
“But we must call attention to your role spearheading the smashingly successful celebration of 100 years of Hamilton hockey in 2018,” the citation read. “You logged hundreds of hours researching hockey history and how it has linked College and community for a century. In addition, you were instrumental in recruiting and managing scores of volunteers to pull off a weekend-long commemoration that ultimately sparked Clintonians and Hamiltonians alike to rally together to capture the national Kraft Hockeyville USA title.”
In his State of the College address on Saturday, President Wippman shared admission statistics for the class of 2023 which yielded 8,339 applications and offered fall admission to 1,366 applicants, resulting in a record low acceptance rate of 16.4%. He also described Common Ground on the Ground, a new pilot program to “stimulate discussion of pressing social issues across a wide range of subject areas, including economics, history, literature, the arts, philosophy, law, and politics.”
The Microfinance Club held its annual “Guess the pumpkin weight” fundraiser and earned a record $1512.75 that will be used to issue small business loans to local entrepreneurs.
Summer science poster sessions enabled students to share the research they conducted this summer, and creative writing students read from their work. The football team romped to a 45-24 win over Colby, performances from Hamilton a Capella groups, and a recital showcasing recent work by the College Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Choir and Department of Dance and Movement Studies were highlights of Friday and Saturday nights.
