President Wippman’s Writings & Remarks

We have received reports of three incidents that appear to be racist in nature. They include a post in a residence hall, a comment on an anonymous online app, and a remark made at a party. Each incident is being investigated.

Hamilton’s senior staff met last summer to review the College’s diversity and inclusion efforts. We acknowledged the previous work done by many at the College, including the faculty hiring processes developed with Romney Associates. We also agreed that the importance of the work ahead requires renewed attention at the highest levels of the College.

I have just returned to a snow-free campus from a week visiting alumni in California. One of the alumni I visited, a former economics major, is now president of a biotech start-up working on treatments for arthritis, hair loss, and cancer. An alumna I met, a creative writing and religious studies double major at Hamilton, is the president of a leading NBA playoff contender. And a third alumnus, also a religious studies major, runs a popular brewery. All credit their success to the liberal arts education they received at Hamilton – something our most recent graduates are beginning to experience.

Over the weekend the Board of Trustees convened for its annual December meeting in New York City. We started the morning with a presentation by Sam Welch '86, associate vice president for constituent engagement, on the career-advising curriculum and industry-based programming that is heavily supported by successful alumni professionals. Margaret Gentry, William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Women’s and Gender Studies, and Tara McKee, professor of psychology and associate dean of students for academics, then presented an overview of the College’s developing initiative for advising and engaged learning, ALEX (Advise, Learn, and Experience). They explained how the integrated, team-based advising of ALEX will guide students on combining a broad liberal arts education with opportunities to complete research, immersive off-campus study, career-exploration, and community-engaged learning.

I write to report on the quarterly meeting of the Board of Trustees and to express gratitude to all who helped make Fallcoming and Family Weekend such a success. More than 1,600 alumni, parents, and trustees were in Clinton for the weekend. I especially want to thank our colleagues in Advancement and Facilities Management who planned and executed dozens of events, and those members of the faculty who welcomed visitors into their classes and prepared our students for presentations and performances.

I am writing with the sad news that Vinh Nguyen, who worked as a custodian at Hamilton for more than 38 years, died Monday following a short medical leave.

Several years ago, we launched Common Ground, a program that brings together speakers with differing viewpoints, each willing to model respectful dialogue. I am pleased to announce that beginning this fall, with a donor’s generous financial support, we will supplement that series with a new pilot program called “Common Ground on the Ground.”

To the returning members of our community, welcome back. To our new students, faculty, and staff, welcome to Hamilton! You have joined a warm and engaged learning community that values your perspectives, experiences, and talents. We look forward to the contributions you will make. I look forward to meeting each of you.

We received word earlier today that J. Martin Carovano, Hamilton’s 16th president, died last night following a long illness.

During what may have been the best weather weekend of the spring, Hamilton’s Board of Trustees met on campus June 7-8 for its quarterly meeting. Trustees heard progress reports on the Because Hamilton campaign, the Class of 2023, experiential learning and advising, and studies undertaken to assess and improve the College’s residential experience for students. Board members also participated in committee sessions on trustee governance, budget planning, and buildings, grounds, and equipment.